Shadow of the Hegemon

Orson Scott Card

Cover of Shadow of the Hegemon

Shadow of the Hegemon

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Orson Scott Card

Shadow · Book 2

Reading Level 8 12IT Ages 13+ Balanced Read

The text is written at a 8th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

The sharp clang of metal echoes through empty halls, a distant reminder of battles won and lives changed forever. The air feels tense, charged with secrets as friends vanish one by one, leaving only Bean to face a new kind of fight. What happens when heroes become pawns in a game where the stakes are the fate of the world?

Quick Assessment

Shadow of the Hegemon is a young adult science fiction novel that continues the story of Ender Wiggin and his comrades after an interstellar war. The book explores complex themes such as political manipulation, loyalty, and power struggles, suitable for readers aged 13 and up. Parents should be aware of moderate thematic intensity involving political intrigue and some moments of peril.

For Parents

Content Intensity

12IT — Intense — Thematic
Emotional
Moderate
Physical
Moderate
Social
Moderate
Thematic
Intense

Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

5/10

Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.

Discussion Potential

3/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
7
Emotional Weight
6
Theme Richness
5
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

What's Next in Shadow?

Cover of Ender's Shadow
Book 3: Ender's Shadow
Level 812ME

Same content intensity — Moderate

View full Shadow reading order

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Details

Book Length

462 pages
ISBN
9781429964029
Pages
462
Publisher
Macmillan
Published
2009
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

WigginEnderEnder WigginPeter WigginReading Level-Grade 9Reading Level-Grade 11Reading Level-Grade 10Reading Level-Grade 12Child Soldiers