The Shadow Throne  (The Ascendance Series, Book 3) by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Rating: Needs Parent Supervision

Reading Level: Middle School

Here readers encounter new theme about the true meaning of love (to give one’s life for another), and the incredible power of love. I have only one main concern:

• Incorrect theology about prayer and the afterlife: More references to “the devils,” this time also referring to an afterlife and to the saints, including prayers to the saints to let someone into the afterlife. References to being a good person to get prayers answered or to get into the afterlife.

I’d only recommend this if your kid has solid theology about who to pray to, and about heaven (who is in charge, and how faith in Jesus is the way to living forever with God).

Other Possible Concerns:

• Violence (abuse, punches, knife wounds, slaps, sword fights)
• War (and death…)
• Deception, lies, and deceitfulness

Overall a great tale of persistence and learning what true love is.

Rated Middle School more for some what violent content than reading level. I do think it is well done, i.e. appropriate for youth of that age.

See also my reviews of books 1 and 2, The False Prince and The Runaway King.