Content Overview
| Author: Frank L. Cole |
| Series: Potion Masters Book 1 |
| Genre: Fantasy |
| Interest Age Range: 9 – 13 |
| Optimal for Grades: 4 – 8 |
| Questionable Content: (e.g. Profanity, Violence, Sex, Drugs) Some violence, primarily involving fantastic, unrealistic elements such as mummies, skeletons, and magic potions. Adults try to hold tweens captive for brief periods of time and kids retaliate with kicks, punches, or magic. A villain threatens to poison the main character if he refuses to cooperate. The majority of violence is cartoonish and only results in property damage, rather than injury to people. |
| Scariness: 2 Note: Scariness ratings are given based on the experience of a child within the book’s listed grade level range. |
Key:
- 0 = virtually none
- 1 = very mild, some parts may be slightly frightening to the youngest readers
- 2 = some parts are frightening or distrubring to younger readers
- 3 maybe it’s time to hide under the covers with a flashlight, the most sensitive children may want to avoid this one
Summary
Solid first installment of a promising new series to the middle-grade fantasy landscape. A middling beginning swiftly gives way to addictive, rapid-fire action centered around a talented young potion maker and his family as they defend their house, lives, and community against the schemes of less principled, mysterious members of the hidden world of potion masters. Have your heart warmed by the changing relationship between the super-powered bounty hunter Mom and her prodigy son as they discover the truth about one another’s talents and learn to respect each other in new ways while strengthening family bonds of love and loyalty. Get concerned about the lovable main character as he encounters vastly different perspectives on his world from various dubious characters and wonder how these influences will change him throughout the series. Will he choose to remain loyal to the moral convictions of his mother, or allow himself to be turned astray by the selfish interests presented by others? Most of all, enjoy the wild ride of unconventional magic, high-stakes danger, and exciting plot-twists. Oh, and be warned, you will want to hurry up and grab that next book in the series to answer that ever infuriating cliff-hanger of a last sentence.
Positive Messages
- Good vs. Evil: Those fighting for the rights, and safety of others can succeed against those acting for selfish reasons when they blend their differing skills, strengths, and abilities to work together.
- Friendship: The main character values the bond of true friendship over talent when he chooses his long-time friends as lab partners rather than waiting for a kid with the talents to match his own. During the adventurous events, friends stay by each other even when things get tough and fight to protect one another, even when facing extreme danger.
- Parental Role Model: Unlike many fantasy stories for kids and young adults where parents are depicted as a nuisance, or else are not present at all, the parents in Potion Masters are very present and supportive characters who demonstrate the place of a parent as a steadfast, loving protector. They may make mistakes like everyone, but generally act in a way that shows their top priority is their kids’ safety. Parents express pride in their son for his bravery, praise his creative ingenuity. And encourage him when he needs it. The Mom is particularly shown in a way that highlights her dignity, intelligence, and moral character even when facing up to less trustworthy family members. She models what it means to strive every day for the good of the wider community and keep the world safe for her children’s future.
Series Order
The full series is available at Audible!