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On This Unworthy Scaffold parent’s guide: what’s inside
What it offers
A note for parents
This is the final book in a trilogy featuring civil war, blood magic, and political intrigue set in a Southeast Asian-inspired fantasy world. While not graphically gory, the story involves significant combat, a deadly necromancer antagonist, and themes of power and corruption that carry mature weight. The narrative structure is sophisticated and literary, with multiple formats including play scripts; this complexity and thematic depth align better with teen than middle-grade readers.
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From the publisher
Jetta is in the center of a war. With her magical power, she could save everyone, save her country . . . or she could destroy it all. Heidi Heilig blends traditional storytelling with ephemera for a lush, page-turning commercial fantasy for fans of Tomi Adeyemi and Leigh Bardugo. The final book in the acclaimed Shadow... Jetta is in the center of a war. With her magical power, she could save everyone, save her country . . . or she could destroy it all. Heidi Heilig blends traditional storytelling with ephemera for a lush, page-turning commercial fantasy for fans of Tomi Adeyemi and Leigh Bardugo. The final book in the acclaimed Shadow Players trilogy. Jetta’s home is spiraling into civil war. Le Trépas—the deadly necromancer—has used his blood magic to wrest control of the country, and Jetta has been without treatment for her malheur for weeks. Meanwhile, Jetta’s love interest, brother, and friend are intent on infiltrating the palace to stop the Boy King and find Le Trépas to put an end to the unleashed chaos. The sweeping conclusion to Heidi Heilig’s ambitious trilogy takes us to new continents, introduces us to new gods, flings us into the middle of palace riots and political intrigue, and asks searching questions about power and corruption. Acclaimed author Heidi Heilig creates a rich world inspired by Southeast Asian cultures and French colonialism. Told from Jetta’s first-person point-of-view, as well as with chapters written as play scripts and ephemera such as songs, myths, and various forms of communication, On This Unworthy Scaffold is a satisfying finale to the epic fantasy trilogy. It will thrill readers who love Claire Legrand’s Furyborn, Laini Taylor’s Strange the Dreamer, and N. K. Jemisin’s The Fifth Season.
Shelved under
- Young Adult Fiction
- Fantasy
- Young Adult
- Adventure
- LGBTQ
Books in the Shadow Players series
Full series in order →
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ISBN 9780062652027 · HarperCollins