Ash and Quill
Rachel Caine
Ash and Quill
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
The Great Library
by Rachel Caine
The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
In a world where the Great Library controls all knowledge with an iron grip, a brave band of rebels rises to challenge its oppressive rule. Secrets unravel and danger looms as they fight to bring truth and freedom to the people. Dark forces and fierce battles make every moment pulse with tension.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 5-6 book with intense content intensity. Content themes include profanity, graphic violence, physical danger. Written for readers ages 13+.
Why we rated Ash and Quill 10IP
Ash and Quill is written at a Level 5-6 reading level across 341 pages (approximately 102,309 words). Strong independent readers around grade 6.4 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Ash and Quill works for readers up to grade 7.4.
Read aloud, Ash and Quill runs about 11.4 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Ash and Quill as 10IP ("Intense — Physical") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Profanity, Graphic Violence, Physical Danger.
Thematically, Ash and Quill explores dystopian fiction, adventure, social justice, and libraries — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about dystopian fiction, adventure, social justice.
- ✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 3 more books in the Great Library series.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 13+ — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10IP — Intense — PhysicalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
5/10Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780451472410
- Pages
- 341
- Publisher
- Penguin Publishing Group
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 102,309
- Read-Aloud
- ~11h 22m
- Text Density
- Dense