Book of Water
Morgan Reilly
Book of Water
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Book One of the Dark Library Series
by Morgan Reilly
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
The salty spray of the sea stings Celine's skin as the waves roar around her. Beneath the shimmering surface, a dark magic whispers promises of power and revenge. But when a human prince enters her world, will friendship or betrayal drown her hopes?
Quick Assessment
Book of Water is a middle-grade dark fantasy retelling of The Little Mermaid, exploring themes of revenge, loss, and political alliances between merfolk and humans. Suitable for ages 9-12, it contains fantasy violence and emotional intensity related to grief and complex relationships. Parents should be aware of mature themes like murder and magical conflict portrayed in a way appropriate for middle-grade readers.
Why we rated Book of Water 12ME
Book of Water is written at a Level 7 reading level across 346 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Book of Water works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Book of Water as 12ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Murder, Revenge, Fantasy Violence.
Thematically, Book of Water explores fantasy world-building, family, friendship, adventure, and coming of age — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about fantasy world-building, family, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Water Song
Suzanne Weyn
Water Song
Suzanne Weyn
Kingdom of Water
Amy Kim
Kingdom of Water
Amy Kim
The Water of Life
Barbara Rogasky
The Water of Life
Barbara Rogasky
Oceanborn
Amalie Howard
Oceanborn
Amalie Howard
Under the Waterfall
Susannah Brin
Under the Waterfall
Susannah Brin
The Water Witch
Susannah Brin
The Water Witch
Susannah Brin
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9798894730004
- Pages
- 346
- Publisher
- Libra's Ink Publishing LLC
- Published
- 2024
- Type
- Fiction