For young readers discovering inner strength and navigating immense responsibility, this graphic novel continues a thrilling, fantastical journey where courage and friendship are vital.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is facing a challenge that feels too big for them, or is struggling to manage powerful emotions like anger and frustration. This installment of the Amulet series continues the high-stakes fantasy adventure of Emily Hayes, a young girl burdened with a magical, and sometimes malevolent, amulet. As Emily and her friends search for a hidden city, they must evade a cunning new enemy and confront internal doubts and temptations. It beautifully visualizes the internal battle between doing what's easy and doing what's right, making it a great choice for kids aged 8-12 who are ready for more complex moral questions wrapped in an exciting, fast-paced graphic novel.
The protagonist is tempted by a dark power, and an ally's true motives are purposefully unclear.
Rating EscalationMild
The themes and stakes in the series become progressively more complex with each installment.
Sensitive Topics
The primary sensitive topic is the metaphorical exploration of internal struggle. The Amulet's voice represents a powerful, corrupting influence, a sort of 'dark side' that Emily must constantly fight. This is handled in a secular, fantasy context. It's a direct visualization of the difficulty of controlling one's own power or anger. The book contains peril and fantasy violence, but no death of main characters. The resolution of this internal conflict is ongoing, reflecting a realistic, rather than simple, path to self-control.
Ideal Reader
The ideal reader is a 9 to 12-year-old who loves epic fantasy quests like Percy Jackson or Wings of Fire but is also beginning to understand more nuanced character struggles. It's perfect for a child who feels the weight of expectations or is learning to manage big emotions like anger, as they will deeply connect with Emily's internal battle.
Parent Prep
This book is not a standalone and should be read after the previous five books in the series. Parents may want to preview the scenes where the Amulet's voice tempts Emily, as these can be a great entry point for conversations about making difficult choices under pressure. No other specific prep is needed. A parent has noticed their child is moving from simple good-vs-evil stories to ones with more moral complexity. The child might have expressed frustration after an outburst, saying something like, "I don't know why I got so mad," or is feeling pressured to be a leader or role model among their friends.
Age Experience
A younger reader (8-9) will focus on the adventure: the chase scenes, the cool robots, and the mystery of the doors. They will see the Amulet as a simple 'bad guy' voice. An older reader (11-14) will better appreciate the psychological depth of Emily's struggle, Max's subtle manipulations, and the themes of trust, leadership, and the corrupting nature of power.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many prose novels dealing with similar themes, this book's graphic novel format provides a unique and powerful visual language for internal conflict. Kibuishi's cinematic art, especially his use of color and light, makes abstract concepts like temptation and inner strength tangible and accessible for young readers in a way that text alone cannot.
Read plot summary
This is the sixth book in the Amulet series. Emily, Navin, and their allies continue their search for the lost city of Cielis, a supposed safe haven. They find a series of teleporter doors, but are hunted by a new, formidable assassin named Gabilan. The group is forced to split up to navigate the doors, testing their trust and courage. Meanwhile, Emily continues to struggle against the dark influence of the Amulet's voice, and the supposedly reformed Max's true motivations become even more questionable.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
When the group decides to split up to go through different doors, it's a huge risk. Do you think this was a brave decision or a reckless one? What makes teamwork difficult sometimes?
2
The assassin Gabilan is very different from the other Elf soldiers. What makes him a more frightening enemy?
3
Riva warns Emily that the Stone's voice will lead her to do terrible things, but Emily still struggles to resist it. Why is it so hard for her to ignore the voice's advice?
4
Max acts like he is helping Emily, but his advice often seems designed to make her rely more on the Amulet's power. How can you tell if someone is truly trying to help you or not?
