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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
stopped reading this nearly four months ago now, and then had to return it to the Hong Kong Public Library, where I borrowed it, and paid several weeks worth of overdue fines. just sort of lost interest when I stopped reading consistently, didn't have the patience to pick it back up. I'll try again with another series, odds are I'll come back to this again sometime.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, War
Moderate: Slavery, Trafficking, Injury/Injury detail
Since this is a middle-grade/younger teen book, I'll start off with a few quick content warnings for parents and other guardian figures, then we'll get to the actual review.
I read this book for the first time when I was in middle school and I was not traumatized by it in any way, shape or form. I only have fond memories of the entire series. That being said, some serious stuff happens in this book, so I'll mention it so that you can judge if your kid is old enough to handle the content.
Tris's Book picks up a few days after the end of its prequel, Sandry's Book. We learn a bit about the aftermath of that first book's climax and then move right into the focus of this book's plot: pirates. Not the fun, silly pirates of some tween lit, but serious, will kill-or-enslave you invaders who are out for blood and gold. It's a high-stakes adventure that is much more plot-focused than the previous instalment and I appreciate that. Sandy's Book was a low-stakes introduction to the world, but it's hard to keep that premise going for multiple books.
All of the previous book's major strengths are still present, though. The characters are still fantastic and I love seeing the bond grow between the main four. Probably one of my favorite elements of this series is that, while the kids are the main characters, they're clearly still novices in their magic. The adults in their lives treat them as children and try their best to protect the kids from the dangers of the world. While I get why most tween lit has absentee mentors, it's always a treat when an author can include strong mentor figures while still allowing the young stars to have meaningful roles.
If you liked book one, then you'll probably like this one no matter your age. I've had many a childhood favorite be lessened by a reread, but this one stood the test of time.
I read this book for the first time when I was in middle school and I was not traumatized by it in any way, shape or form. I only have fond memories of the entire series. That being said, some serious stuff happens in this book, so I'll mention it so that you can judge if your kid is old enough to handle the content.
Spoiler
This book focuses on a pirate invasion and, as such, there's a lot of death. Pierce handles the topic in a realistic way with mentions of bodies in the water, charred flesh, people being stabbed, and discussions of murdered innocents. However, none of it is graphic. When I read it as a kid, I don't think any of the horror registered. It's only as an adult with more experience of the world that the tragedy fully hit me. For example, at one point the word rape is used, but the conversation immediately moves on to other dangers and the word is not defined. That's how most of the serious topics are handled. A quick mention, then the story moves on. I would be fine with a tween reading this, but it's your call if your charge can handle this.Tris's Book picks up a few days after the end of its prequel, Sandry's Book. We learn a bit about the aftermath of that first book's climax and then move right into the focus of this book's plot: pirates. Not the fun, silly pirates of some tween lit, but serious, will kill-or-enslave you invaders who are out for blood and gold. It's a high-stakes adventure that is much more plot-focused than the previous instalment and I appreciate that. Sandy's Book was a low-stakes introduction to the world, but it's hard to keep that premise going for multiple books.
All of the previous book's major strengths are still present, though. The characters are still fantastic and I love seeing the bond grow between the main four. Probably one of my favorite elements of this series is that, while the kids are the main characters, they're clearly still novices in their magic. The adults in their lives treat them as children and try their best to protect the kids from the dangers of the world. While I get why most tween lit has absentee mentors, it's always a treat when an author can include strong mentor figures while still allowing the young stars to have meaningful roles.
If you liked book one, then you'll probably like this one no matter your age. I've had many a childhood favorite be lessened by a reread, but this one stood the test of time.
The second book of the series, some beautiful imagery and character development.