Girl, Serpent, Thorn
Melissa Bashardoust
Girl, Serpent, Thorn
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Melissa Bashardoust
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), 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
Here's a secret: Soraya hides a curse that poisons everything she touches, and no one dares to come close—except one brave boy who sees the real her. Beneath the castle lies a demon who knows the key to her freedom, but unlocking it could change everything. Soraya's journey to discover who she truly is is just beginning, and nothing will ever be the same.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This young adult fantasy follows Soraya, a princess cursed with poisonous skin, as she faces difficult choices about her identity and freedom. Themes of self-discovery, dark magic, and complex relationships are explored in a story suitable for mature teens. Parents should note the presence of dark fantasy elements and emotional intensity appropriate for ages 13 and up.
Why we rated Girl, Serpent, Thorn 12ME
Girl, Serpent, Thorn is written at a Level 7 reading level across 336 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Girl, Serpent, Thorn works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Girl, Serpent, Thorn 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, 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, Girl, Serpent, Thorn explores fantasy world-building, coming of age, family, romance, and dark subject matter — 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.
- ✓ 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, coming of age, family.
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 — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A 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
Thorn
Intisar Khanani
Thorn
Intisar Khanani
Untamed City
Melissa Marr
Untamed City
Melissa Marr
Sabrina
Candice F. Ransom
Sabrina
Candice F. Ransom
The Sorcerer's Daughter
Fay Sampson
The Sorcerer's Daughter
Fay Sampson
In the Serpent's Wake
Rachel Hartman
In the Serpent's Wake
Rachel Hartman
Queen of air and darkness
Cassandra Clare
Queen of air and darkness
Cassandra Clare
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781250787033
- Pages
- 336
- Publisher
- Hodder Fiction
- Published
- 2020
- Type
- Fiction