Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
In Other Lands
Sarah Rees Brennan
The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes. Its HootRating code, IE, means intense content, mostly emotional.
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About This Book
The sharp scent of pine fills the air as Elliot steps into a world where magic buzzes like electricity. Strange creatures whisper secrets, and danger lurks beneath the sparkling surface. But for Elliot, who would rather avoid battles and awkward moments, this enchanted land feels more confusing than ever.
Quick Assessment
This fantasy novel follows Elliot, a reluctant hero navigating a magical world filled with complex friendships and difficult challenges. The story includes mature themes such as loss, injury, and emotional struggles, making it suitable for teens 13 and older. Parents should be aware of content involving child abuse, death, and physical trauma, which are handled with emotional depth.
Why we rated In Other Lands IE (Intense)
In Other Lands is written at a Level 5-6 reading level across 437 pages. Upper Grades (Ages 13+) is the typical interest range for this book — readers in that age band have the maturity and attention span suited to the story, separate from whether they can decode the words.
We rate In Other Lands as IE (Intense, mostly 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, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Child Abuse, Death, Physical Injury, Vomiting, Spitting, Teeth Damage.
Thematically, In Other Lands explores fantasy world-building, romance, coming of age, adventure, and friendship — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about fantasy world-building, romance, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 13 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
For Parents
Content Intensity
IE · Intense · EmotionalReading 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
Heavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781618731203
- Pages
- 437
- Publisher
- Big Mouth House
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction