Content levels
Trigger warnings
Positive tags
Hero archetypes
Heroine archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Tropes
Synopsis
In this macabre tale 11-year-old Teodora has always longed to visit Venice, and at last she has her chance. But strange and sinister things are afoot in the beautiful floating city. Teo is quickly subsumed into a secret world in which salty-tongued mermaids run subversive printing presses, ghosts good and bad patrol the streets, statues speak, rats read, and librarians fluidly turn into cats. And where a book, The Key to the Secret City, leads Teo straight into the heart of the danger that threatens to destroy the city to which she feels she belongs. An ancient proverb seems to unite Teo with a Venetian boy, Renzo, and with the Traitor who has returned from the dark past to wreak revenge. . . . But who is the Undrowned Child destined to save Venice? *Note*: Reviewers warn parents about frequent gruesome violence and graphic descriptions, all of which could be disturbing.
Is The Undrowned Child appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 13 and up.
This middle grade fantasy contains frequent gruesome violence and graphic descriptions that may be disturbing to younger or sensitive readers. The macabre tone and dark imagery make it best suited for mature tweens.
What to know going in
This book has strong violence, no sexual content, and clean language. Content notes include graphic violence, gore, and death (see the full list above).
Publisher ages reflect reading level; our rating reflects content maturity — they can differ.
Who'll love this
Readers who love dark, atmospheric fantasies with secret magical worlds, talking animals, and ghostly encounters will be captivated by this eerie Venetian adventure.