Spells to Forget Us
Aislinn Brophy
Spells to Forget Us
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Aislinn Brophy
The text is written at a 8th 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
The splash of cold water fills the air as Luna and Aoife's worlds collide in the heart of Boston. Magic tingles beneath their fingertips, but a spell hides their memories — until the past comes rushing back like a sudden wave. Can two girls break free from a cycle where forgetting might be the only way to move forward?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fantasy explores the complex relationship between Luna, a powerful witch, and Aoife, a non-magical girl from an influencer family. The story addresses mature themes such as abusive parents, gaslighting, alcohol abuse, and possession within a magical context, alongside natural elements like bodies of water and menstruation. Suitable for ages 9-12, parents should be aware of its intense emotional content and some distressing situations.
Why we rated Spells to Forget Us 12IE
Spells to Forget Us is written at a Level 8 reading level across 433 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Spells to Forget Us works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate Spells to Forget Us 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, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Abusive Parents, Gaslighting, Alcohol Abuse, Possession, Claustrophobia, Ghosts, Menstruation, Vomiting.
Thematically, Spells to Forget Us explores fantasy world-building, romance, family, and identity & self-discovery — 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, romance, 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.
- ! 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
1/10A 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
- 9780593354551
- Pages
- 433
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Published
- 2024
- Type
- Fiction