About This Book
Reach for this book when your middle-grade reader is craving a high-stakes adventure that balances heart-pounding action with thoughtful questions about identity and loyalty. As the second installment in the Five Kingdoms series, it follows Cole Randolph into a world that blurs the lines between dreams and reality. While it is a thrilling quest filled with magic and monsters, it also explores the emotional weight of being far from home and the courage required to stand up against systemic injustice. It is an ideal pick for kids who enjoy immersive world-building and stories where friendship is the primary anchor in a chaotic world. Parents will appreciate the focus on teamwork and the way the characters must rely on their unique talents rather than brute force to succeed.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
DISTRESS: The concept of the 'Echoes' (beings who are essentially shadows of people) can be eerie. There is a scene where a town is decimated by an unseen force, which may be unsettling for sensitive readers. CONVERSATION: Be prepared to discuss the ethics of rebellion and the concept of 'erasure.' The High King effectively removes people from memory and history, which provides an opening to talk about how history is written and who gets to decide what is remembered.
Ideal Reader
A 10-year-old who loves 'The Unwanteds' or 'Percy Jackson' but is looking for something with slightly more complex world-building and a focus on the consequences of power.
Parent Prep
This is book two of a series; if you haven't read 'Sky Raiders,' the world-building might feel overwhelming. Read the first few chapters to understand the 'Shaping' magic system. A child may express fear about the 'High King' or the idea of being forgotten by their family, as the magical stakes involve being forgotten by loved ones or erased from history.
Age Experience
Younger readers (8-9) will focus on the cool monsters and magical battles. Older readers (11-13) will likely pick up on the political intrigue and the tragic backstory of the Rogue Knight.
What Makes It Special
Mull creates a magic system based on 'Shaping' that feels more like art or architecture than traditional spell-casting, making the action sequences feel uniquely visual and creative.
Read plot summary
Cole Randolph continues his quest through the Outskirts, arriving in the kingdom of Elloweer. Alongside Mira, Twitch, and Jace, he joins a resistance movement to find Mira's sister, Honor, while avoiding the High King's forces. They encounter the 'Rogue Knight,' a legendary figure whose identity is shrouded in mystery, and must navigate a landscape where illusions and 'shaping' magic can alter reality itself.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
If you could use 'Shaping' magic to create any object or change your surroundings, what would you make and why?
2
Cole is a 'stranger in a strange land.' How does he use his perspective as someone from our world to solve problems differently than the people born in Elloweer?
3
The Rogue Knight's identity is a big mystery. Why do you think he chooses to hide who he is, and how does that help or hurt his cause?
4
In Elloweer, illusions can look very real. How can Cole and his friends tell what is true and what is a trick?
5
Mira has to make difficult choices as a princess in hiding. Do you think she is a good leader? Why or why not?
