Nocturna
Maya Motayne
Nocturna
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Maya Motayne
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
What if you could change your face as easily as changing clothes? Imagine being a thief with magic that lets you hide in plain sight, until a daring prince pulls you into a dangerous quest. Together, they unlock a powerful secret that could destroy their world — but can they stop it before it's too late?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Nocturna is a middle-grade fantasy novel set in a richly imagined Latinx-inspired world. It follows a magical faceshifting thief and a grieving prince who must work together to stop an ancient evil they accidentally unleash. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book contains themes of addiction and alcohol abuse, as well as some references to bugs, which parents may want to note.
Why we rated Nocturna 12ME
Nocturna is written at a Level 8 reading level across 456 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Nocturna works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate Nocturna 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, social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Addiction, Alcohol Abuse.
Thematically, Nocturna explores magic, adventure, friendship, family, and fantasy world-building — 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, adventure, friendship.
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.
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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780062842756
- Pages
- 456
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- 2019
- Type
- Fiction