(The following review is not meant to dissuade or endorse but rather to inform parents and readers of content. Careful effort has been made to point out what parents may find useful, but please use your own discretion as 100% accuracy cannot be guaranteed)
Title:
‘The Stonekeeper’ Amulet # 1
Intended Audience:
A graphic novel for readers 7-12 years old
Synopsis:
After surviving a brutal car accident that claimed her father, Emily and her family move to a house deep in the country that was abandoned by her late, great grandfather. In this mysterious house, she discovers a magical amulet that speaks to her and guides Emily and her brother into a magical world. There, they must navigate through many dangers in order to find and save a loved one who was taken from them.
Themes:
Fantasy, steam punk, loss of a parent, horror, mystery, adventure
Language Content:
Contains instances of, “Oh my Goodness” and “Pain in the butt.”
Romantic Situations:
None
Violence and Gore:
The amulet is used to magically kill fantasy creatures. Many non-humans attack and kill other non-human creatures. The mother is injected with poison, and the mother’s nose is bleeding after car accident.
Frightening Imagery:
Car crash that results in father’s death, mother is attacked by
tentacled creature and captured.
Magic and the Occult:
Magical fantasy creatures throughout. Main character gets an amulet that can talk and lets her use magic. Her brother refers her as a wizard and a witch. Characters are trapped in a fantasy world with magic and creatures.
Use of Drugs and Alcohol:
None
Disrespectful Attitudes:
Mother fights with daughter as they work through a shared trauma. The fight
ends with a hug and tears.
Final Thoughts:
Amulet is a fantastical adventure set in world filled with tеtentacled monstrosities. The monsters and violent encounters might frighten younger readers. Additionally, the character embracing the power of her magical amulet and being referred to as a witch at one point, might be a point of contention for those who wish to avoid references to the occult. With these exceptions aside, Amulet is an exciting tale about a family that fights, but respects and loves each other. You will root for them as they work through trauma, uncover mysteries, and try to survive in an alien world.
(Review written by blog contributor, Chad Steward)
Emily A. Steward is a writer of Young Adult and Middle Grade fiction. Her books can be found on Amazon.com and at participating retailers.
The Unreliable Narrator 