A parent might reach for this book when their teen feels trapped by their circumstances and is grappling with the weight of life-altering decisions. The Hearts We Sold is a dark fantasy about Dee, a high school senior who sells her heart to a demon in exchange for a college scholarship to escape her abusive home. She joins a group of other “heartless” teens who must serve the demon by fighting monsters. The story powerfully explores themes of sacrifice, found family, resilience, and the true cost of getting what you want. Appropriate for older teens, it uses its magical premise to tackle very real feelings of desperation and the search for identity, making it a compelling read for those who enjoy character-driven fantasy with high emotional stakes.
The story is built on themes of abuse, trauma, grief, and the consequences of desperate acts.
Substance ReferencesMild
The protagonist's father is an alcoholic, which is tied to his abusive behavior.
Moral AmbiguityModerate
Characters make difficult choices with gray outcomes. The demon's motivations are not purely evil.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly with the topic of parental abuse and neglect, which is the protagonist's primary motivation. The resolution to this is Dee's escape and her creation of a new, chosen family. Death and grief are significant themes, with several impactful character deaths handled directly and with emotional weight. One character's backstory involves suicidal ideation as the catalyst for their deal, a topic that is treated seriously but is brief. The overall resolution is bittersweet and realistic: sacrifices have permanent consequences, but the ending affirms the protagonist's resilience and hope for the future. The approach is entirely secular.
Ideal Reader
This book is perfect for a mature teen, 15-18, who enjoys dark urban fantasy with a strong emotional core and a touch of romance. The ideal reader is one who feels the weight of the future, perhaps feels trapped by family or financial circumstances, and connects with stories about characters who make impossible choices to forge their own path. They are ready for morally complex characters and are not afraid of a story with sad or tragic elements.
Parent Prep
Parents should be prepared for themes of abuse, monster-related violence, and significant character death. The central metaphor of being 'heartless' is a useful entry point for discussions about emotional numbness as a coping mechanism for trauma. While the book can be read cold, a conversation about metaphor and how fantasy can explore real-world problems could enrich the experience. A parent has heard their teen express feelings of being trapped or hopeless about their future. Phrases like, "I'd do anything to get out of here," or, "It feels like I have no good choices," signal that the teen is struggling with a lack of agency. This book speaks directly to that feeling of desperation for a different life.
Age Experience
A younger reader (14-15) will likely be drawn to the action, the monster-hunting plot, and the developing romance. An older reader (16-18) is more apt to appreciate the nuanced exploration of trauma, the critique of systems that force people into debt and desperation, and the complex, bittersweet nature of sacrifice and found family.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many 'deal with the devil' stories, this book grounds its fantastical premise in the starkly realistic anxiety of affording higher education and escaping a bad home. The concept of being literally heartless serves as a powerful and poignant metaphor for emotional dissociation in the face of trauma. The strength and authenticity of the found family dynamic are a central pillar of the novel, making it stand out in a crowded genre.
Read plot summary
Desperate to escape her abusive father and afford college, seventeen-year-old Dee makes a Faustian bargain with a demon. She gives him her heart, quite literally, for two years. In return, he pays her tuition. Rendered emotionally numb, Dee is inducted into a secret cohort of other 'heartless' teens who serve the demon by fighting supernatural entities that slip into the human world. She forms a tight-knit found family with her teammates and develops a complicated relationship with James, another member of her crew. As the missions grow more dangerous, Dee uncovers the sinister truth behind the demon's bargains and the ultimate price of their service.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Dee makes her deal with the demon to escape an abusive home and pay for college. Do you think her sacrifice was worth the price? What are the different ways a person can 'sell their heart' in real life?
2
The demon, Agathodaemon, presents himself as a businessman, not a villain. Do you agree with his assessment of himself? How does he represent systems of power or debt in our world?
3
The bond between Dee, James, Cal, and the other members of the cohort is a classic 'found family'. Why do you think this group was able to become a real family for each other when their biological families failed them?
4
At the end of the book, Dee has her heart back but is forever changed by her experiences. What do you think the story says about trauma and healing? Can a person ever be the same after a great loss?
