Broken Pride: Bravelands, Book 1 Erin Hunter – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Broken Pride: Bravelands, Book 1 Erin Hunter

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2018

73%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

Warriors author tackles the African savanna with three animal heroes, a broken code, and nature-red-in-tooth-and-claw realism.

Broken Pride: Bravelands, Book 1 Erin Hunter

book

2018

73%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

Warriors author tackles the African savanna with three animal heroes, a broken code, and nature-red-in-tooth-and-claw realism.

4.8

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Screenwise Verdict

Erin Hunter brings her proven animal-fantasy formula to the African savanna, and it mostly works. The three-POV structure is ambitious, the world-building is solid, and the moral questions about justice and survival have real weight.

The violence is the main consideration—this isn't Disney's Lion King. Animals die, predators hunt, and the 'unthinkable betrayal' kicks off a genuinely dark plot. It's nature realism, not gratuitous, but it's intense enough that Common Sense Media's 10+ recommendation makes sense.

Some readers find it slower than Warriors, and honestly, that tracks—the setup takes time, and juggling three storylines can feel dense. But for kids ready for meatier chapter books with complex plots, this delivers. Just make sure they're comfortable with the fact that not every character makes it to the end.

Age Fit

Best for ages 9-13, especially kids who've graduated from early chapter books and are ready for multi-POV narratives with stakes. Common Sense Media suggests 10+, which feels right given the violence level. Fans of Warriors, Wings of Fire, or Spirit Animals will feel at home.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Models cooperation across species boundaries and explores themes of justice and community. The Code ('only kill to survive') provides a moral framework, and the three protagonists face ethical dilemmas. However, the story includes significant violence—predator attacks, betrayal, death—that's realistic to animal life but intense. Common Sense Media notes it's 'sometimes violent' with animals killing each other. The tone is generally balanced but doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of the savanna.

Imaginative

Three distinct animal perspectives (lion, elephant, baboon) create a rich, multi-layered narrative world. The African plains setting is vividly rendered, and the concept of an elephant who can 'read the bones of the dead' adds mystical elements. The world-building invites readers to imagine animal societies with their own rules and hierarchies. From the Warriors author, so there's proven track record of creating immersive animal fantasy worlds that spark imagination.

Safe

Animal violence is the main concern—predators hunt prey, there's an 'unthinkable act of betrayal,' and deaths occur throughout. Common Sense Media confirms it's 'intense' and 'sometimes violent.' That said, this is nature-based violence, not gratuitous, and readers of Warriors or Wings of Fire know what they're getting into. No sexual content, minimal language concerns. The violence is expected given the premise, so it's not shocking for the target audience, but younger or sensitive readers might struggle.

Enriching

Explores complex themes of justice, tradition vs. change, and cross-species cooperation. The multiple POVs build empathy and perspective-taking skills. Readers learn about African savanna ecosystems and animal behavior (though fictionalized). The moral questions—when is killing justified? what happens when rules break down?—invite critical thinking. Solid reading practice for middle-grade readers. Some kid reviews note it's 'more boring than other Erin Hunter books,' which suggests engagement may vary.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Three distinct animal POVs (lion, elephant, baboon) create a rich, layered story that builds empathy and perspective-taking
The moral framework—'only kill to survive'—and its breakdown raises genuinely interesting ethical questions about justice and tradition
Vivid African plains setting with mystical elements (bone-reading elephant) that feels fresh compared to the forest cats
Solid stepping stone for middle-grade readers ready for chapter books with complex plots and multiple storylines
High Amazon rating (4.8) suggests strong fan satisfaction, especially for Erin Hunter devotees

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What to Watch For

Animal violence is frequent and sometimes intense—predators kill prey, there are betrayals and deaths, and the stakes feel real
Common Sense Media rates it 10+ for good reason; sensitive or younger readers might find the violence upsetting
Some kid reviewers note it's 'more boring' than Warriors—the pacing may feel slower, especially in the setup
If your kid struggled with animal deaths in Where the Red Fern Grows or Watership Down, this might be a tough fit

Conversation Starters

"Which animal's perspective did you find most interesting—the lion, elephant, or baboon? Why?"
"The animals follow a code: 'only kill to survive.' Do you think that's a fair rule? What happens when someone breaks it?"
"How do you think the different animal groups (predators vs. prey) manage to live together? Could that work in real life?"
"The elephant can read bones to learn about the past. If you could have one special animal ability, what would it be?"

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