Give the dark my love
Beth Revis
Give the dark my love
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Beth Revis
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
The sharp scent of herbs and burning candles fills the air as Nedra mixes potions in her secret lab. Outside, a deadly plague creeps closer, casting shadows over her home and everyone she loves. With each new spell, the line between light and darkness blurs—how far will she go to save her world?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fantasy follows Nedra, a determined young alchemist who faces a spreading deadly plague in her homeland. As she attends a prestigious academy, Nedra’s journey explores themes of courage, loss, and the ethical challenges of using forbidden magic. The book contains mature content such as death, injury, possession, and a sad ending, making it suitable for older middle-grade readers prepared for darker themes.
Why we rated Give the dark my love 12IE
Give the dark my love is written at a Level 7 reading level across 351 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Give the dark my love works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Give the dark my love as 12IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. 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: Death, Blood/Gore, Mutilation, Possession, Sad Ending, Hospital Scene, Vomiting, Animal Death.
Thematically, Give the dark my love explores magic, fantasy, alchemy, plague, 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 magic, fantasy, alchemy.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! 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
12IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781595147172
- Pages
- 351
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction