Common Sense Media Review
By Lucinda Dyer
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Super sequel filled with blood, gore, fantasy, and romance.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
TO SHATTER THE NIGHT begins right after an epic battle fought in To Kill a Shadow. Kiara Frey is fuming because Jude Maddox "played the sacrificing hero" and left her behind in the Mist. So she has teamed up with Jake, another young knight, to find him. But before they can, they meet Maliah, the Goddess of Revenge and Redemption (and Kiara's idol since she was a child). Maliah has a mission for them and for Jude. They must travel to the Temple of the Moon God, a terrifying place filled with traps, monsters, and beasts, and retrieve a sacred moonstone. It's the moonstone that will make the evil god mortal. Once this happens, he can be killed, and the powers of Maliah and the other deities will finally be free to bring back the sun to Asidia. Jude is on a mission of his own, to find his mother: a legendary thief known as the Fox, who abandoned him as a child. But before he can see her, he's captured by the King's Guard, imprisoned, and tortured. As Kiara and Jake follow the clues ("find the boy in the green tent") Jude has left behind, they meet the Fox and learn about Jude's past. After a mysterious woman frees Jude, he reunites with Kiara and along with Jake, Kiara's brother Liam, the Fox and two of her men (Finn and Dimitri), they set off for the Temple of the Moon God. At the Temple will be a last battle and a life-changing decision for Kiara.
Is It Any Good?
This is a sequel that really delivers with intricately detailed fantasy world building, a fiery but slow-building romance, and a take-no-prisoners heroine. Teens who haven't already read To Kill a Shadow may find themselves struggling to figure out storylines from the first novel that are continued in To Shatter the Night. When they do, readers better buckle up, as the story moves at lightning speed, with plot twists and new characters (both mortal and immortal) continually being added. Once again, teens looking for a girl who doesn't back down from a challenge or hesitate to compete on equal footing with men will find what they're hoping for in Kiara.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Kiara was just as courageous and determined as Jude in To Shatter the Night. What are some examples from books or other media that feature girls and women who are just as brave and powerful as men?
Jude struggles to forgive his mother for abandoning him. Have you ever found it difficult to forgive someone? What happened?
Kiara, Jude, Jake, The Fox, Liam, Finn, and Dimitri seem an unlikely group to make a successful team. Have you ever had to get past differences (or even really not liking someone) to work together and achieve a goal?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Entangled: Teen
- Publication date : December 3, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 17
- Number of pages : 433
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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