Clash of the Demons

Name: Clash of the Demons
Author: Joseph Delaney
ISBN: 9780061344626

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Joseph Delaney

Reading Level 5-6 ME · Moderate · Emotional Ages 9-12 Matched

The text is written at a 5th 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. Its HootRating code, ME, means moderate content, mostly emotional.

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About This Book

The sharp crackle of magical energy fills the air as Thomas feels the chill of ancient witches stirring in the shadows. His mother's urgent call from a distant land pulls him into a dangerous battle where old alliances clash and dark powers rise. Every choice Thomas makes could change his fate forever.

Themes

ApprenticeshipSupernaturalFriendship FamilyFantasy Adventure

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade fantasy follows Thomas Ward, an apprentice tasked with protecting his county from supernatural threats. When his mother returns seeking help to stop a powerful witch's return, Thomas must decide where his loyalties lie, facing tough moral questions and magical dangers. Suitable for readers aged 9-12, it includes themes of supernatural conflict and the complexities of trust and sacrifice.

Why we rated Clash of the Demons ME (Moderate)

Clash of the Demons is written at a Level 5-6 reading level across 395 pages. Reading-wise, most kids in grade 7 and up can manage Clash of the Demons on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.

We rate Clash of the Demons as ME (Moderate, mostly 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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.

Thematically, Clash of the Demons explores apprenticeship, supernatural, friendship, family, and fantasy adventure — 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.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about apprenticeship, supernatural, friendship.

Maybe not for

! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.

For Parents

Content Intensity

ME · Moderate · Emotional

Emotional

Moderate ←

Physical

Moderate

Social

Gentle

Thematic

Mild

Reading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate

Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.

Data confidence: high

Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?