About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the complexities of justice and the realization that the world isn't always fair. It is a powerful choice for preteens who are starting to notice systemic prejudices or who feel like they are constantly fighting to prove their worth to others. This story follows Brystal Evergreen and her friends as they defend their legalized magic against a rising tide of hatred and a mysterious rival school. Beyond the magical battles, it explores deep emotional territory: the exhaustion of being an activist, the danger of radicalization, and the importance of staying true to one's morals when others are fueled by fear. It is a sophisticated fantasy that validates a child's desire to make the world a better place while acknowledging the personal cost of that struggle.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
DISTRESS: The Righteous Brotherhood is a group defined by their hatred and desire to commit genocide against magical people. Scenes where they rally crowds with hateful rhetoric can be chilling. There is also a plotline involving the manipulation and psychological grooming of young people into a cult-like school setting. CONVERSATION: Parents should be prepared to discuss the concept of radicalization and how fear can be used by leaders to turn people against a specific group. Be ready to explain how extremist groups operate through misinformation and the historical parallels to groups that promote segregation or violence based on prejudice and bigotry.
Ideal Reader
A middle schooler who enjoys high-stakes fantasy but is also starting to become socially conscious and interested in how societies change and clash.
Parent Prep
Preview the scenes involving the Righteous Brotherhood's public speeches to gauge if your child is ready for the intense depictions of hate speech and calls for violence. Seeing Brystal, a young girl, carry the weight of an entire movement's survival on her shoulders while being targeted by adult hate groups.
Age Experience
Younger readers (9-10) will focus on the magic, the monsters, and the mystery of the rival school. Older readers (11-13) will likely pick up on the political allegories and the emotional toll of leadership.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many fantasies that end with the 'big win,' this book focuses on the difficult work that comes after the revolution: keeping the peace and fighting the backlash.
Read plot summary
Brystal Evergreen has successfully legalized magic, but the peace is fragile. While she runs her academy, a mysterious new witch named Mistress Mara starts a rival school of witchcraft that lures students away with promises of darker power. Meanwhile, the Righteous Brotherhood, an extremist group, gains political traction and seeks to exterminate all magical beings. Brystal and her friends must uncover Mara's true identity and stop a plot that threatens the entire world.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Mistress Mara recruits students by telling them what they want to hear. Why was Lucy more vulnerable to her message than Brystal?
2
The Righteous Brotherhood uses fear to gain power. Have you seen examples in history or other stories where fear makes people act unkindly?
3
Brystal feels a lot of pressure to be a perfect leader. Do you think it is fair for her friends and the kingdom to expect so much from her?
4
How does the school of witchcraft differ from Brystal's school of magic, and what does that tell us about their different goals?
5
At one point, the characters have to decide if they should follow the law or do what they know is right. When is it okay to break a rule?
