Rating: Recommended with Parent Supervision age 11+

Reading Level: Middle School

A 13-year-old boy uncovers an evil plot, and puts his own life at stake to destroy it.

Possible Concerns (Spoiler Alert!):

  • Mind control. Monsters are controlled by the mind of an evil villain.
  • Peril. An evil villain plots a war, sends out assassins, enslaves others, etc.
  • Slavery. A man is beat to death, another drops dead; many are stolen from their homes and enslaved.
  • Use (once each) of the terms, “damn,” “hell,” and “Oh God.” There
  • Pagan Temple. A temple is described for a mining culture that worships gods related to their industry.
  • A kiss. The main character recalls a kiss with a girl, from the end of book 1.
  • Romance. Two adults apparently have a romantic history; a girl probes with questions.
  • Viloence. Much like batman, a ranger takes Justice into his own hands, a bit violently. There is also sword fighting, war, and a lot of death.
  • A woman’s place. A treasonous leader makes rude comments to an ambassador girl that she is only good for having babies.

Things I liked:

  • Courage & Honor. The boy puts others first, and sneaks to do sabotage to save the kingdom.
  • Leadership. He obeys orders and makes decisions.
  • Self-sacrifice. In several instances, characters display self-sacrifice to serve others. He chooses not to rescue himself when it would mean abandoning his friend.

Definitely start with Book 1.