About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is facing a family crisis or health scare and needs a hero who mirrors their own strength and fear. While it is a high-octane fantasy adventure, the heartbeat of the story is Emily and Navin's desperate quest to save their mother from a magical poison. It speaks beautifully to the weight of responsibility that can fall on a child's shoulders when a parent is vulnerable. Set in the lush, mechanical world of Alledia, the siblings must navigate a city of waterfalls and robots while Emily grapples with the seductive but dangerous power of her magical Stone. It explores themes of resilience, the bond between siblings, and the courage required to make hard choices under pressure. It is an excellent choice for middle-grade readers who enjoy immersive world-building but need a story grounded in deep emotional stakes.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
1. DISTRESS: The central tension involves a parent in a life-threatening coma. Younger or sensitive readers may find the scenes where the mother is unconscious and pale to be upsetting. There is also a sequence where characters are transformed into animals against their will, which carries a sense of body horror. The 'Shadow' creatures are visually eerie and may cause mild nightmares for kids sensitive to dark, spindly monsters. 2. CONVERSATION: Parents should be ready to discuss the concept of 'the ends justifying the means.' The Amulet often whispers to Emily, encouraging her to use more power than is safe or ethical. This provides a great opening to talk about how we handle power and influence when we are angry or scared.
Ideal Reader
A 9-to-11-year-old who loves Star Wars or Studio Ghibli films and is currently navigating a situation where they feel they have to 'grow up fast,' perhaps due to a family illness or a move.
Parent Prep
The book is safe to read cold, but parents might want to flip through the character designs of the Elves and Shadows to gauge if their child will find the illustrations too intense for bedtime. The sight of the mother, Karen, being helpless and dependent on her children for survival is a poignant and potentially heavy visual for parents.
Age Experience
An 8-year-old will focus on the cool robots and the fast-paced action. A 12-year-old will likely pick up on the more sophisticated political intrigue and Emily's internal struggle with the 'voice' of the Stone.
What Makes It Special
Kibuishi's cinematic art style sets this apart. It feels like a big-budget animated movie on paper, blending high-tech sci-fi with ancient, dark folklore in a way that feels completely unique.
Read plot summary
Picking up immediately after the first volume, Emily, Navin, and their robotic companions travel to the city of Kanalis to find an antidote for their mother, who is in a magical coma. They are pursued by the Elf Prince, Trellis, and his father's shadows. Emily must learn to use her Amulet without letting it consume her personality, while Navin discovers his own leadership skills as he helps pilot a giant mechanical house.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
The Voice of the Amulet tells Emily that her friends are holding her back. Do you think the Voice is trying to help her or control her?
2
Navin gets to take charge of the mechanical house. How does his role as a leader change from the first book to this one?
3
Leon Redbeard is a mentor to Emily. What are the most important things he teaches her about using her power safely?
4
If you had a magical stone that gave you power but also tried to change who you are, would you keep it or throw it away?
