Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Libby

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Screenwise Verdict

This is solid YA fantasy with something to say. Dylan Farrow's debut doesn't just dress up a murder mystery in magic—it uses the fantasy premise to dig into propaganda, silencing, and how systems keep people powerless. The magic system is clever (language as literal power in a world where most magic-users are men), and Shae is a compelling protagonist driven by justice rather than romance (though there's some of that too).

The book doesn't shy away from heavy themes—murdered mother, dead brother, oppressive society—but handles them in ways appropriate for teen readers. Multiple reviews confirm it's accessible for younger teens despite the dark setup. The 4.3 Amazon rating and strong professional reviews (Booklist, AudioFile) suggest it delivers on entertainment while packing in meaningful commentary.

This isn't going to be everyone's cup of tea if your kid wants pure escapism, but for teens ready to engage with stories that ask questions about power, voice, and truth, this hits the sweet spot of thoughtful and page-turning.

Age Fit

Best for teens 13+ who can handle murder mystery elements and themes of grief, oppression, and systemic injustice. The darker premise is balanced with age-appropriate handling—no graphic violence or mature content, just substantive themes that benefit from some emotional maturity.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

72

Features a determined female protagonist seeking justice after her mother's murder, with themes of truth-seeking and standing up against oppressive systems. The emotional tone is appropriate for teens, though the story deals with grief, loss (mother's murder, brother's death from disease), and systemic silencing of women. Models perseverance and courage, but the darker themes and murder mystery keep it from being fully emotionally uplifting.

Imaginative

81

Original magic system where language is literal magic wielded by Bards, with ink as both a tool and disease vector (the Blot). The worldbuilding explores propaganda as twisted magic and features a castle with dangerous illusions. The premise of a society built on silencing voices through magical means is creative and metaphorically rich. Invites readers to think about power, voice, and truth in inventive ways.

Safe

68

Common Sense Media confirms this is a dystopian fantasy examining how the powerful silence the powerless. Contains mother's murder (with golden dagger), brother's death from disease five years prior, 'brief depictions of madness,' and a 'ruthless' training environment. The Baroness of Books notes it's 'fairly appropriate for younger teens' despite seeming dark. No graphic violence, sexual content, or profanity mentioned in reviews. The darker themes (murder, grief, oppression) are present but handled in age-appropriate ways for YA readers.

Enriching

84

Strong feminist fantasy that examines systemic oppression, propaganda, and the silencing of marginalized voices (particularly women in a male-dominated Bard system). Explores justice, truth-seeking, and questioning authority. The metaphor of language-as-magic and propaganda-as-twisted-magic offers sophisticated commentary on power and voice. Rated Reads notes 'hidden morals' throughout. Builds critical thinking about social structures while delivering an entertaining mystery-fantasy hybrid.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Clever magic system where words literally have power—perfect for readers who love when fantasy concepts mirror real-world themes
Strong female protagonist challenging a patriarchal system of male Bards, with actual teeth to the feminist messaging
Mystery-fantasy mashup keeps pages turning: who killed her mother and why?
Explores propaganda, silencing, and truth in ways that feel relevant to modern media literacy without being preachy
Outstanding audiobook performance if your teen prefers listening (Emily Shaffer gets rave reviews)

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What to Watch For

Opens with grief and murder—mom is killed with a golden dagger, and Shae lost her younger brother to disease five years earlier
Dystopian themes of oppression and silencing might feel heavy for sensitive readers
Brief depictions of 'madness' and a ruthless training environment with a harsh female Bard mentor
Forbidden romance subplot if that's not your teen's thing

Conversation Starters

"The Bards use language as literal magic—if you could make words have real power, which words would you choose and why?"
"Shae lives in a world where propaganda is twisted magic. How do you think propaganda works in our world?"
"The book is about people being silenced by those in power. Can you think of times in history or today when that happens?"
"Shae has to decide whether to trust the High Lord who offers her everything she wants. How do you know when someone in power has your best interests at heart?"

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