Revenge and the wild
Michelle Modesto
Revenge and the wild
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Michelle Modesto
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
What if a town filled with magic, monsters, and gunfights hides a dark secret from your past? Imagine a fierce girl with a powerful mechanical arm, ready to face down the cannibals who took everything from her. But when new strangers arrive who might be the very people she's hunting, the biggest danger may be trusting the wrong ones—and losing the new family she’s found.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fantasy novel follows Westie, a resilient teenager with a mechanical arm, as she confronts her traumatic past involving cannibalism and loss in a lawless, magical Western town. The story explores themes of revenge, family, and healing, with some dark and intense moments appropriate for ages 9-12, particularly sensitive to younger readers due to references to violence and cannibalism. Parents should note the complex themes and fantasy violence woven throughout the narrative.
Why we rated Revenge and the wild 12IE
Revenge and the wild is written at a Level 7 reading level across 373 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Revenge and the wild works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Revenge and the wild 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: Cannibalism, Fantasy Violence.
Thematically, Revenge and the wild explores fantasy world-building, adventure, family, disability representation, and magic — 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 fantasy world-building, adventure, family.
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 who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! 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
2/10A 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
- 9780062366153
- Pages
- 373
- Publisher
- Balzer + Bray
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction