Mia and the Secrets of Lunis – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: Family, friendship, responsibility,
courage, fantasy.
Children’s book title: Mia and the Secrets of Lunis.
Children’s author: Janelle McCurdy.
Children’s illustrator: Ana Latese.
Genre: Children’s fiction/fantasy.
Published by: Faber.
ISBN: 9780571368471.
Recommended for children aged: 9-12 year-olds.
First published: Paperback August 2024.
This children’s book is ideal for: Anyone who enjoys world-building, either in books or as a gamer. It is very exciting and fast-moving, with recognisable emotions, friendships, hopes, and losses that resonate across most genres. Here, they are woven into the fantasy setting of a world entirely different from our own. It would definitely be more suited to those who have read the first two books, as this is the final book in a trilogy and would be a little confusing if read as a standalone! It is absolutely worth reading these books in order, as this is a great series that most children and adults alike should enjoy.
Trigger Warning: Reactions to the death of a parent, which happened in book two.
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Our review:
Mia is still reeling from the sudden, unexpected death of her father. She is absolutely sure it was her fault, and now her goal is far more revenge-led than ever before. The Reaper King, her arch-enemy, is free once more, and everyone in Nubis is in shock at what has happened. As they begin to plan what they hope will be their final battle, Mia and her two Umbra know she has to hone her skills and increase her stamina if she has any chance of getting justice for her father.
As they move closer to their goals, almost everyone realises they have to work together if there is any chance of achieving everything necessary to return the kingdom of Lunis to the peaceful, beautiful place it once was. Can Mia find it within herself to fully pledge to these plans, or will her pain and longing finally engulf her and put it all in jeopardy?
Our verdict:
The final book in this trilogy is a first-class read, which satisfactorily ties up all but one loose end. (If Mia ever returns in another series, I think it definitely would be addressed fully, but it in no way spoils anything else that happens). Mia has been a relatable main protagonist from the start, struggling with both the every day and the unique problems she has encountered in her young life. Hers is the only POV throughout, and her inner turmoil will be easily understood by readers of any age.
The death of Mia’s father, who was a huge presence in the first two books, is handled as sympathetically as possible, taking into account her superhero persona and the responsibility she feels for what happened. This could be used in a PSHE setting to consider how opinions and feelings vary on many subjects, both important and trivial, between family, friends, and small communities, including intensity and length. Mia’s friends are keen for her to rejoin their group and miss the girl she used to be, but she can’t do so as quickly as they want.
As the danger increases, so does Mia’s realisation that, in the same way she thought living without her dad would be impossible, achieving her goals and guaranteeing the safety everyone craves can’t be done alone; she needs the help of all those around her. Mia’s thought processes work very well and should lead to some interesting discussions from both a light-hearted and serious viewpoint.
Teaching points and book club discussion ideas:
- The responsibility Mia feels takes her over almost totally and makes her put the carefully organised plan in jeopardy. Do the responsibilities we have as parents, teachers, or students, as well as siblings, carers, or friends, change with our circumstances? Can we empathise with our peers more easily than with those older than ourselves?
- From a more light-hearted point of view, how would students react if their pets could converse telepathically with them? Would it be wonderful, weird, or scary?
- Only the first part of Mia’s journey has finished. What do you think will happen next, and how did the final page of the book make you feel?
- Do you hope the author will continue Mia’s adventures outside of Lunis?
- Does the book remind you of a computer game, and if so, which one?
- Would this series make a good game, and what changes would be needed?
- The author is a gamer and writer. Which medium do you think Mia’s story is best suited to?
- If you were playing this game, what would your Umbra be?
- What do you think it would be like to live in permanent darkness? In a cross-curricular project with geography, the lifestyles of those who live in a period of total darkness could be compared to those living in Nubis.
Many thanks to Faber for the review copy.
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If you like Mia and the Secrets of Lunis by Janelle McCurdy you might also like: our reviews of Sisters of the Moon by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick, Alyssa and the Spell Garden by Alexandra Sheppard, The Memory Thieves (The Marvellers 2) by Dhonielle Clayton, Mia and the Traitor of Nubis by Janelle McCurdy and Bringing Back Kay-Kay by Dev Kothari.
Browse our list of book series for children and teens.
