book

GAME OF STARS

Name: GAME OF STARS
Author: Sayantani DasGupta

Sayantani DasGupta

Kiran returns to the Kingdom Beyond to do battle with the evil Serpent King. (Ages 8 to 12)

Ages 9+Source checked

Why this age? Fantasy violence and high-stakes peril are present, consistent with middle-grade adventure fiction. Complex vocabulary and mythological references are suited for ages 9 and up. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age9+

Strongest cautions

Frightening scenes3/5
Religious themes3/5
Violence3/5

Strongest positives

Courage & resilience5/5
Creativity & curiosity5/5
Diverse representation4/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character2/5

Why this rating?

Characters face the threat of death; past deaths of family members are mentioned as part of the emotional arc.

Graphic injury1/5

Why this rating?

Occasional mild descriptions of injury, but no significant or graphic gore.

Strong language1/5

Why this rating?

Mild, age-appropriate language throughout, with occasional humorous insults.

LGBTQIA characters1/5

Why this rating?

Features inclusive themes and character dynamics reflecting diverse identities, though not the primary focus.

Religious themes3/5

Why this rating?

South Asian mythology, Hindu-inspired figures, cosmology, and cultural traditions are important to the fantasy world and story.

Romance1/5

Why this rating?

Very light crushes or emotional bonds typical for middle-grade protagonists.

Frightening scenes3/5

Why this rating?

Some tense moments involving frightening supernatural creatures and threatening villains.

Violence3/5

Why this rating?

Frequent fantasy combat against demons and mythical beasts. Characters face peril and engage in magical skirmishes.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience5/5

Why this rating?

Facing frightening creatures, uncertainty, and major personal challenges with loyalty and persistence is central to the adventure.

Creativity & curiosity5/5

Why this rating?

Highly imaginative worldbuilding, myth-inspired creatures, magical realms, inventive problem-solving, and playful language strongly encourage imagination.

Diverse representation4/5

Why this rating?

South Asian identity and culture are central, with varied characters and perspectives portrayed as integral to the fantasy world rather than decorative.

Educational value2/5

Why this rating?

Incorporates extensive elements of Bengali folklore and mythology.

Kindness & empathy4/5

Why this rating?

Empathy, friendship, mutual aid, and care for family and outsiders are recurring positive forces in the story.

Positive messages4/5

Why this rating?

Strong themes emphasize identity, family, friendship, cooperation, resilience, accepting differences, and challenging assumptions about belonging.

Good role models4/5

Why this rating?

Young protagonists show loyalty, ingenuity, persistence, and moral growth, while also making understandable mistakes and learning from them.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
Which moment felt most tense or frightening? What helped the characters handle fear?
Which choice in GAME OF STARS would you have made differently, and why?
Who changed the most in GAME OF STARS, and what caused that change?

Discuss this title with other parents

Community reactions