About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is struggling with the moral weight of their actions or feeling the heavy burden of unwanted responsibility. While it is a high-stakes fantasy adventure about young mages defending their home from pirates, the heart of the story lies in Tris's internal journey as she learns to harness her intense emotions and later grapples with the sobering reality of using power. It is a powerful resource for discussing the difference between justified defense and the lingering guilt that can follow even necessary choices. Appropriate for ages 10-14, this second installment in the Circle of Magic series moves beyond simple 'good vs evil' tropes. It addresses complex themes of betrayal, the ethics of combat, and the importance of a found-family support system when facing external threats. Parents will appreciate how it validates the intensity of adolescent anger while providing a framework for processing the consequences of one's actions, making it more than just a typical magic story.
