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Dark That Hides Us

Andy Darcy Theo

Cover of Dark That Hides Us

Dark That Hides Us

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Andy Darcy Theo

Reading Level 8 12ME Ages 13+ Balanced Read

The text is written at a 8th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

Darkness creeps closer as Alexis, Demi, Blaise, and Caeli hide in the shadows of Stonehenge. The air crackles with magic and danger — the Battle of Stonehenge is about to explode into chaos. Just as Mortem’s shadow looms, a secret is revealed that could change everything…

Themes

Quick Assessment

This fantasy novel follows a group of teens with elemental powers as they prepare for a climactic battle between light and darkness. It explores themes of mental health and the strength of found family, making it suitable for readers aged 13 and up. The story contains some intense action and supernatural elements but handles emotional topics thoughtfully.

Why we rated Dark That Hides Us 12ME

Dark That Hides Us is written at a Level 8 reading level across 432 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Dark That Hides Us works for readers up to grade 10.0.

We rate Dark That Hides Us 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.

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

Thematically, Dark That Hides Us explores fantasy world-building, adventure, mental health, friendship, and found family — 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.
  • Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
  • Kids drawn to stories about fantasy world-building, adventure, mental health.

Maybe not for

  • ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

12ME — Moderate — Emotional
Emotional
Moderate
Physical
Moderate
Social
Light
Thematic
Moderate

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

Data confidence: standard

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

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

2/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

2/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
7
Emotional Weight
6
Theme Richness
5
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

432 pages
ISBN
9781398531871
Pages
432
Publisher
Gallery YA
Published
2025
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

Social TopicsDeath, Grief, BereavementAction & AdventureFamilyLove & RomanceFantasy & MagicYoung Adult FictionBoys & MenAdoptionFantasyContemporaryRomanceWar & Military