For young readers grappling with immense change, loss, and the daunting task of finding hope after catastrophe, this book illuminates paths to resilience.
A parent might reach for this book when their teen is struggling with feelings of hopelessness or grappling with the aftermath of a major life change. Set after a world-saving battle, this collection of short stories explores the difficult, quiet work of rebuilding. It follows beloved characters as they navigate grief, survivor's guilt, and a mysterious new illness in a broken world. Rather than focusing on epic fights, the book delves into the emotional journey of finding a reason to keep going. For fans of the Final Fantasy VII video game it's a must read, but its universal themes of resilience and finding light in the darkness will resonate with any teen exploring complex emotional landscapes.
Characters grapple with past deaths and face a new, fatal disease that causes more loss.
Mature ThemesMild
Characters wrestle with guilt and the consequences of their past actions.
Sad ContentIntense
Pervasive themes of grief, terminal illness, and post-traumatic stress are central to the story.
ViolenceModerate
Recollections of past battles and conflicts in a post-war setting. Some new conflicts may arise.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly with grief, loss, and terminal illness. The book contains frequent and detailed descriptions of grief and mourning, which some readers may find overwhelming. Geostigma is portrayed as a painful and debilitating disease, and its effects on children are described in detail. The approach to these topics is secular and focuses on the psychological and emotional toll. The resolution is not about finding a magic cure, but about finding the strength to live on despite suffering, making it realistically hopeful rather than purely optimistic.
Ideal Reader
A teen, 15-18, who is already a fan of the Final Fantasy VII universe and is invested in the characters' emotional lives. It would also resonate with a thoughtful reader who enjoys character-driven, post-apocalyptic fiction that prioritizes psychological recovery over action. It is an excellent choice for a teen processing feelings of anxiety about the future or dealing with personal loss, as it provides a fictional framework to explore complex grief.
Parent Prep
This book is deeply enriched by an understanding of the Final Fantasy VII plot. A parent should know that a major, beloved character (Aerith) was killed, and the world was nearly destroyed. This context is critical to understanding the characters' motivations and grief. Reading a quick plot summary online would be sufficient preparation. The content is thematically heavy but not graphically shocking in a way that requires previewing specific pages. A parent notices their teen expressing feelings of cynicism or hopelessness, saying things like "What's the point?" or "Nothing will ever get better." Or, a parent wants to connect with their teen's interest in video games by offering a book with surprising emotional depth and maturity.
Age Experience
A younger teen (14-15) will likely enjoy it as a continuation of the adventure, focusing on what their favorite characters do next. They will appreciate the world-building and the connections to the game. An older teen (16-18) is more equipped to engage with the mature themes of PTSD, survivor's guilt, societal responsibility, and the ambiguous nature of 'healing' from profound trauma.
What Makes It Special
Unlike most YA sci-fi that focuses on the big, world-ending conflict, this book is about the quiet, often painful aftermath. Its uniqueness lies in its introspective focus on the emotional labor of recovery and rebuilding. The tie-in to a massive video game franchise gives it a built-in audience and a rich, pre-established emotional landscape to explore.
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Read plot summary
A collection of short stories set two years after the conclusion of the video game Final Fantasy VII. The narrative explores the aftermath of the Meteor crisis, following main characters like Cloud, Tifa, Barret, and Yuffie as they attempt to build new lives. Central conflicts include the spread of a fatal disease called Geostigma, the emotional and psychological trauma (PTSD) of the survivors, and the societal challenges of rebuilding in a world where the primary energy source is gone. The stories bridge the gap between the original game and its cinematic sequel, Advent Children, focusing on introspection and character development.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Tifa creates a new family with Cloud, Marlene, and Denzel. How is the act of building a home and caring for others a form of resilience in a broken world?
2
The disease Geostigma is described as the Planet's sorrow made manifest. In what ways do the characters' internal struggles, like Cloud's guilt, mirror this physical illness?
3
The title is 'On the Way to a Smile.' Do the characters find simple happiness by the end, or does the title suggest something more complex, like learning to live alongside sadness?
4
Denzel is a new character, an orphan who contracts Geostigma. How does his story help show the impact of the Meteor crisis on ordinary people, not just the famous heroes?
5
Barret leaves his daughter Marlene in Tifa's care while he searches for a new power source. Do you think this was a selfish or a selfless decision? What does it say about his definition of being a good father?
