Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

This is solid, entertaining YA that takes familiar tropes and spins them in a fun direction. Rachel Hawkins nails the voice of a Southern teen whose perfect life gets wonderfully derailed by supernatural duty.

The violence is the main consideration—it's not graphic or gory, but there's a lot of fighting, and Common Sense Media specifically calls out eye-gouging and detailed combat. If your kid handled Percy Jackson's monster battles fine, they'll be okay here. If they're more sensitive to physical conflict, wait a year or two.

The romance is genuinely well-done: Harper and David start as antagonists and their relationship evolves through actual interactions, not instalove. The stakes feel real without being traumatizing. And Harper's character arc—from pageant-obsessed to purpose-driven warrior—is satisfying without being heavy-handed.

It's not going to win literary awards, but it's the kind of book that gets reluctant readers hooked and keeps pages turning. Published in 2014, it still holds up well for today's teens. A fun weekend read that won't rot anyone's brain.

Age Fit

Best for ages 12-15, though mature 11-year-olds who handle action well could start earlier. The violence is cartoonish but frequent, and the apocalyptic stakes add weight. Teens 16+ might find it a bit young unless they love lighthearted YA fantasy-romance.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

72

Harper is a driven, capable protagonist who values friendship and loyalty. The romance develops organically without overshadowing her personal growth. However, the cartoonish violence (punching, kicking, eye-gouging) and combat scenes bring the score down slightly. The main character actively hates swearing (uses 'effing' instead), which models restraint. The Southern belle-meets-supernatural-warrior premise offers a fun twist on traditional gender roles.

Imaginative

78

The Paladin mythology mixed with Southern high school culture is a genuinely fresh take on the chosen-one trope. The premise of a pageant-obsessed teen becoming a supernatural guardian with a prophecy-bound nemesis-turned-love-interest is creative and engaging. Hawkins blends genres (contemporary YA, fantasy, action, romance) in a way that feels original rather than derivative. The fish-out-of-water dynamic keeps things interesting.

Safe

68

Common Sense Media notes 'detailed yet cartoonish violence' including hand-to-hand combat with punching, kicking, and eye-gouging. The violence is frequent enough that one parent review suggested 16+ (though most readers say 11-13+). Language is notably clean with the protagonist avoiding actual swearing. No sexual content beyond romance. The apocalyptic stakes (David's fate could destroy Earth) add tension but aren't graphically depicted. For a teen action-fantasy, it's relatively tame, but the combat scenes are detailed enough to warrant caution for sensitive younger readers.

Enriching

70

Harper's journey from superficial Southern belle to empowered warrior offers themes about identity, destiny, and not being defined by others' expectations. The romance-with-complications explores how relationships evolve when you actually get to know someone beyond first impressions. The prophecy element raises questions about fate versus choice. However, this is primarily entertainment-focused rather than deeply thought-provoking. It's a fun, page-turning read that won't change lives but offers solid character development and relationship dynamics worth discussing.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Fresh twist on chosen-one tropes: pageant queen becomes ancient warrior guardian
Strong female protagonist who evolves beyond superficial concerns without losing her personality
Enemies-to-lovers romance that develops naturally through actual character growth
Clean language (Harper hates swearing) but doesn't feel preachy about it
Fast-paced action balanced with humor and genuine emotional stakes

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What to Watch For

Frequent combat scenes with detailed (though cartoonish) violence—punching, kicking, eye-gouging
Apocalyptic stakes might be intense for sensitive readers (David's fate could destroy Earth)
Some parents felt 16+ was more appropriate due to violence frequency, though most say 12-13+ is fine

Conversation Starters

"Harper goes from caring about homecoming to becoming a warrior. Have you ever had something completely change what you thought was important?"
"She has to protect someone she doesn't even like at first. How do you think that would feel? Have you ever had to work with someone you didn't get along with?"
"The prophecy says David might destroy the world. If you knew someone's future looked bad, would that change how you treat them now?"
"Harper's whole identity was wrapped up in being perfect. What happens when the thing you're known for suddenly doesn't matter anymore?"

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