For young readers navigating complex choices and finding their voice, this thrilling fantasy adventure offers a powerful tale of courage, friendship, and self-discovery.
Reach for this book when your teen is grappling with self-doubt and the pressure to conform, especially when faced with difficult moral choices. The Broken Raven is the second book in a thrilling fantasy series, but can be understood on its own. It follows two young protagonists: Jaime, an outcast with a dangerous power, and Agatha, a reluctant leader who uncovers a dark conspiracy threatening their people. The story powerfully explores themes of bravery, resilience, and finding your own identity against societal expectations. It's an excellent choice for teens aged 13 and up who enjoy complex characters and worlds, offering a rich platform to discuss courage, loyalty, and the shades of gray between right and wrong.
The magical plague and tense situations of peril can be frightening for some readers.
Moral AmbiguityModerate
Characters face difficult choices with no clear right answer; leaders make questionable decisions.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly with themes of death, discrimination, and disability within its fantasy context. Jaime's shadow-hand is treated as a dangerous disability, leading to his ostracization. Character death is a present threat and reality in their harsh world, and the approach is direct and impactful. The resolution is hopeful for the characters' immediate goals but ends on a cliffhanger that underscores the ongoing, large-scale conflict, making it realistic for a series.
Ideal Reader
A teen, 13-16, who loves immersive high fantasy with intricate world-building and character-driven plots. This is perfect for a reader who feels like an outsider or is thinking about leadership and responsibility. It will resonate with those who appreciate stories where characters defy expectations and forge their own moral compass.
Parent Prep
Parents should be aware of the fantasy violence, which includes battles, wounds, and several character deaths. The political intrigue and moral ambiguity can be complex. No specific pages need previewing, but a parent could prime a conversation by asking about what makes a good leader or if it's ever okay to break the rules. The book is best read after the first in the series, The Good Hawk, for full context, but a determined reader could start here. A parent hears their teen express frustration about being misunderstood or feeling powerless against 'the system'. For example: "No one listens to me," or "It's not fair, they've already decided who I am." This book models proactive courage and the power of a few determined individuals to challenge injustice.
Age Experience
A younger reader (12-13) will be drawn to the adventure, the magic, the survival elements, and the strong friendship between the characters. An older teen (14-17) will likely engage more deeply with the themes of political corruption, the burden of leadership, prejudice, and the difficult, often gray, moral choices the characters are forced to make.
What Makes It Special
This book's key differentiator is its unique, richly imagined pre-historic Scottish-inspired setting and the Gaelic-inflected language, which creates a deep sense of place. The platonic, loyalty-based relationship between the male and female leads is also a refreshing departure from common YA tropes. The handling of Jaime's power as a form of disability that is both feared and, ultimately, a source of strength is a nuanced and powerful metaphor.
Read plot summary
This is the second installment in the Shadow Skye series. The story continues with dual protagonists. Jaime, exiled from his clan for his uncontrollable shadow-magic, journeys with his friends to a neighboring land, seeking refuge and answers. Meanwhile, Agatha, now a leader in her own clan, faces a devastating plague, the 'Shadow-scourge', and uncovers a political conspiracy behind its spread. Their paths are set to converge as they realize the plague and Jaime's powers are connected, and they must confront both human and supernatural enemies to save their people.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Jaime's shadow-hand is feared by his clan but proves to be a powerful asset. How does the story explore the idea that something seen as a weakness can actually be a strength?
2
Agatha struggles under the weight of leadership and the expectations of her clan. In what ways does she grow as a leader, and what difficult sacrifices does she have to make?
3
Trust is a major theme. Compare the trust between Jaime and his friends (like Sigrid and Iona) to the distrust and betrayal Agatha experiences within her own clan's leadership.
4
The book features different types of courage. How is Jaime's courage different from Agatha's? Which character's bravery do you admire more, and why?
