Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Days of blood & starlight
Laini Taylor
Days of blood & starlight
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Laini Taylor
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.
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About This Book
What if the person you loved was also your greatest enemy? Imagine discovering secrets that change everything you believed about yourself and the world around you. Now, Karou must choose between revenge and hope as a war rages on, and the fate of many hangs in the balance.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fantasy novel follows Karou, a young artist who uncovers her true identity amidst a war between supernatural beings. It explores themes of love, betrayal, and the struggle for peace, with some emotionally intense moments and complex moral choices. Suitable for ages 9-12, it contains fantasy violence and emotional conflict but no graphic content.
Why we rated Days of blood & starlight 10ME
Days of blood & starlight is written at a Level 5-6 reading level with a Lexile measure of 800L across 517 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 6.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Days of blood & starlight works for readers up to grade 7.5.
We rate Days of blood & starlight as 10ME ("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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Emotional: Loss & Grief, Emotional: Fear & Anxiety, Physical/Safety: Fantasy Violence.
Thematically, Days of blood & starlight explores adventure, fantasy & magic, supernatural, friendship, 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, fantasy & magic, supernatural.
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.
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10ME — 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780316133975
- Pages
- 517
- Publisher
- Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Published
- 2012
- Type
- Fiction
- Lexile
- 800L