A parent might reach for this book when their child, who loves video games and making up stories, seems bored by traditional, linear reading. This interactive adventure is part of the Fabled Lands series, where the reader is the hero of a high-fantasy quest. Navigating a world of magic, monsters, and mystery, the child's choices directly shape the narrative, leading to triumphant victories or perilous defeats. It's a fantastic choice for 10-14 year olds as it promotes problem-solving, resilience, and critical thinking in a fun, game-like format. It empowers the reader to take control of the story, making it an excellent bridge between gaming and literature for a reluctant or action-oriented reader.
Tense situations and encounters with monsters, but not overly graphic or terrifying.
Sensitive Topics
The book contains frequent fantasy violence (combat with swords, magic) and the potential for the player character's death. Death is handled impersonally, like losing a game, with the text often stating, "Your adventure ends here." The approach is metaphorical and entirely secular. Resolutions to quests are either successful or result in failure/death, but the format encourages the reader to simply start over and try a new path, framing failure as a learning opportunity.
Ideal Reader
A 10-13 year old who is an avid gamer (especially RPGs) or a reluctant reader who is easily bored by passive storytelling. This child enjoys puzzles, strategy, and seeing the direct consequences of their decisions. They have a strong imagination and a love for fantasy worlds, but may need an interactive element to stay engaged with a book.
Parent Prep
No specific prep is needed, the book's mechanics are self-explanatory. Parents should be aware that character 'death' is a frequent and normal part of the experience and not a cause for concern. It is presented as a game mechanic, not a traumatic event. A parent hears their child say, "Books are boring, I'd rather play my game," or sees them struggling to get through assigned reading. The parent is looking for a book that captures the agency and excitement of a video game to encourage a love of reading.
Age Experience
A younger reader (10-11) will likely focus on the thrill of combat, finding cool treasure, and exploring all the different ways to 'lose'. They will enjoy the power of choice. An older reader (12-14) may engage more with the strategic elements, such as managing inventory and stats, and appreciate the freedom of the open-world design, perhaps even trying to map out the world and its quests.
What Makes It Special
Unlike most standalone choose-your-own-path books, The Cities of Gold and Glory is part of the Fabled Lands series. This series creates a persistent, open world where the reader can take their character and possessions from one book to another. This creates an unparalleled sense of scale, freedom, and replayability, mimicking the experience of a sprawling, open-world video game.
Read plot summary
This is a choose-your-own-path style gamebook, the sixth in the interconnected Fabled Lands series. The reader plays an adventurer in a fantasy world, free to roam the continent of Golnir. The plot is non-linear; the reader can undertake various quests, explore cities, delve into dungeons, fight monsters, and gather wealth and magical items. Choices are presented as numbered paragraphs, leading the reader through a branching narrative. The ultimate goal is open-ended, focusing on exploration and survival rather than a single, overarching plot.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Think about a time your character failed a quest or the adventure ended. What choice led to that outcome, and what would you do differently next time?
2
This book is part of a larger world. If you could travel to one of the other lands mentioned, which would you choose and what kind of adventure would you hope to find?
3
Which character you met (a merchant, a wizard, a rogue) was the most memorable? Did you decide to trust them or not, and why?
4
Unlike a normal book, you made all the decisions. How did it feel to be in control of the story versus just reading what happens to a character?
