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Our Dark Duet: Monsters of Verity

#2 of 2 in Monsters of Verity Series

illustrations by
4.13
on Goodreads (58,286)

What’s inside...

Kate Harker is a skilled monster hunter who isn't afraid to face danger. August Flynn, who once longed to be human, now embraces his role in a world overrun by monsters. As war rages and monsters gain the upper hand, Kate must return to Verity and join forces with August, despite their past conflicts. Together, they confront a new kind of monster that thrives on chaos and exposes their inner demons. The battle against external monsters is daunting, but the struggle with their own personal monsters might prove to be even more challenging.
In series
Series reading

Sequential

Age

14-17

Length

528 pages

Text complexity

Character compass

Kate Harker
August Flynn
Ilsa Flynn
Soro
Henry Flynn
Alice
Sloan
Soro Flynn
Emily Flynn
Colin Stevenson
Katherine "Kate" Olivia Harker

Discussion points

How do you think August’s struggle with his identity affects his actions and decisions in the story?
Kate seeks revenge in the book; do you believe revenge is justified under certain circumstances?
The concept of good versus evil is prevalent in 'Our Dark Duet.' How do you perceive the characters? Who do you think is truly good or evil, and why?
The theme of sacrifice is important in this book. What do you think about the sacrifices made by the characters? Could you have done the same?
What kind of monster do you think you would be in Verity, based on your personality and traits?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the characters’ dilemmas without judgment, fostering an open dialogue.
Relate discussions to personal experiences or current events to make them more relevant and engaging.
Ask your child to draw parallels between the conflicts in the book and real-world issues to enhance critical thinking.
Encourage your child to think about the motivations behind each character’s action, promoting empathy and understanding.
End your discussion with a creative twist—ask your child how they would rewrite a challenging scenario in the book to foster creativity and problem-solving skills.

Key lessons

Example Lesson: The importance of personal responsibility
Explanation: In 'Our Dark Duet', the protagonist, Kate Harker, takes responsibility for her actions and their consequences, demonstrating maturity and leadership.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to own their actions and understand the impact they have on others, promoting accountability in their everyday interactions.
Example Lesson: The value of teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: Kate and August learn to work together despite their differences to tackle greater challenges, showcasing the power of cooperation.
Real-World Application: This lesson highlights the importance of working with others to solve problems, which is a vital skill in school projects and extracurricular activities.
Example Lesson: The complexity of moral choices
Explanation: The characters in the book often face difficult decisions where the line between right and wrong is blurred, which reflects the complexity of real-life moral dilemmas.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand that real-world decisions can be complex and that thinking critically about the consequences is essential.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: Throughout 'Our Dark Duet', characters face various forms of adversity but persevere, underlining the theme of resilience.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of perseverance when facing their own challenges, whether in academics, sports, or personal goals.
Example Lesson: The power of redemption
Explanation: The book explores themes of redemption, with characters who seek to atone for past mistakes, demonstrating that change is always possible.
Real-World Application: This teaches children that making mistakes is a part of growth and that it’s never too late to strive for improvement and make amends.