Ferals Jacob Grey – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Ferals Jacob Grey

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2016

72%

WISE Score

4.7

Amazon

Dark urban fantasy where a crow-whispering orphan battles villains who control spiders, snakes, and flies—Batman meets animal telepathy.

Ferals Jacob Grey

book

2016

72%

WISE Score

4.7

Amazon

Dark urban fantasy where a crow-whispering orphan battles villains who control spiders, snakes, and flies—Batman meets animal telepathy.

4.7

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4.7

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Screenwise Verdict

Ferals delivers on its promise of dark middle-grade fantasy with a legitimately cool premise—kids who can telepathically control animals in an urban setting. The crow-whispering orphan versus spider-controlling villain setup is Batman meets The Graveyard Book, and it works.

But 'dark' here means dark. We're talking poisonous snakes, masses of cockroaches, a spider death scene that made reviewers issue warnings, and kids in constant peril. Common Sense Media confirms blood and pain are frequent topics. If your kid devours creepy stuff and begs for scarier books, this hits the spot. If they're sensitive or have a thing about bugs, hard pass.

The 4.7 Amazon rating suggests kids who match the vibe love it, but School Library Journal noted plot holes, so temper expectations for tight storytelling. This is popcorn reading for the darker-minded middle schooler—entertaining, imaginative, but not going to win literary awards.

Age Fit

Best for 9-13 year olds who specifically want darker middle-grade fantasy and can handle creepy-crawly violence and frequent peril. Too intense for sensitive 8-year-olds; too juvenile for most high schoolers unless they're devoted to the series.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The book centers on cooperation and friendship—Caw works with his friend Lydia and his loyal crows to protect their city. However, the tone is consistently dark with frequent peril, poisonous creatures, and a 'horrible death by spider' scene that reviewers specifically called out. While violence avoids gore, there's regular mention of blood and pain. The emotional tone leans heavy and menacing rather than balanced.

Imaginative

The core concept is genuinely original—'ferals' who can communicate with and control specific animals (crows, spiders, snakes). It's described as 'part Batman, part The Graveyard Book,' blending urban fantasy with animal powers in a way that invites kids to imagine their own feral abilities. The world-building around Blackstone's legacy and different animal connections sparks curiosity, though School Library Journal noted some plot holes.

Safe

Common Sense Media confirms 'fantasy violence mentions blood and pain frequently but without gore' and notes characters are 'frequently in peril' with 'spine-tingling creepy-crawlies such as poisonous snakes and teeming masses of cockroaches.' One reviewer specifically warned about a graphic spider death scene 'not for the arachnophobic.' For a middle-grade book marketed as dark fantasy, this content is expected but could genuinely disturb younger or more sensitive readers who pick it up unprepared.

Enriching

The book explores themes of legacy, found family, and protecting one's community. Caw is an orphan raised by crows who must step into a larger role, offering opportunities to discuss identity and responsibility. The animal-human bond provides nature connection points. However, the plot is described as 'action-packed' with 'several glaring holes' per School Library Journal, suggesting entertainment takes priority over deeper meaning. Still gets solid 4.7 Amazon rating, indicating readers find it engaging.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely cool concept: kids who can communicate with and control specific animals (crows, spiders, snakes) in an urban fantasy setting
Strong friendship themes—Caw and Lydia work together, and the loyalty between Caw and his crows is touching
Fast-paced action that keeps reluctant readers turning pages
Appeals to kids who want something darker and edgier than typical middle-grade fare
Explores found family and stepping into your legacy when you're an outsider

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What to Watch For

This is genuinely dark—frequent peril, poisonous creatures, blood and pain (no gore but it's there), and one reviewer called out a spider death scene as 'the most horrible death by spider I have ever read'
Not for arachnophobes or kids who get nightmares from creepy-crawlies—there are 'teeming masses of cockroaches' and lots of spider action
Plot has some holes according to librarian reviews, so don't expect airtight world-building
The second book in a series, so you'll need to start with book one (Ferals) to understand what's happening

Conversation Starters

"If you could be a feral and talk to any animal, which would you pick and why?"
"Caw was raised by crows after his parents died. How do you think that shaped who he became?"
"The villains control scary animals like spiders and flies. Why do you think the author chose those instead of cute animals?"
"What would you do if you had to protect your whole city like Caw does? That's a lot of pressure for a kid."

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