Modern Faerie Tales
Holly Black
Modern Faerie Tales
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Tithe; Valiant; Ironside
by Holly Black
The text is written at a 8th 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
Here's a secret: Kaye isn't just any teenager—she's caught between two ancient faerie kingdoms, and they want her to choose sides. Traveling with her mom's band was one thing, but now her life is tangled in magic and danger like never before. And that's only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This collection combines all three books of Holly Black’s Modern Faerie Tales series, featuring a strong-willed teenage protagonist who becomes involved in a dangerous supernatural conflict. Suitable for middle-grade readers, it blends fantasy and real-world settings with themes of independence and magical intrigue. Parents should note the presence of some peril and fantasy violence tied to the faerie kingdoms' rivalry.
Why we rated Modern Faerie Tales 12ME
Modern Faerie Tales is written at a Level 8 reading level across 800 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Modern Faerie Tales works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate Modern Faerie Tales 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 — 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, Modern Faerie Tales explores magic, supernatural, fairies, adventure, 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about magic, supernatural, fairies.
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
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781534452046
- Pages
- 800
- Publisher
- Margaret K. McElderry Books
- Published
- 2019
- Type
- Fiction