Tarnished Are the Stars
Rosiee Thor
Tarnished Are the Stars
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Rosiee Thor
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
Imagine having a clockwork heart ticking inside you, a secret that could get you caught any moment. Anna, known only as the Technician, risks everything to help others in a world ruled by harsh laws, while Nathaniel chases her not knowing what he'll discover about himself. When a spy with her own secrets joins the chase, everything changes — but can they stop a deadly epidemic before it's too late?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Tarnished Are the Stars is a young adult science fantasy novel featuring steampunk elements and LGBTQ+ themes. It follows Anna, who has an illegal clockwork heart and supplies black market medical tech, and Nathaniel, the Commissioner's son who hunts her. The story includes mature themes such as child abuse, domestic violence, torture, death, kidnapping, childbirth, and ableist language, making it suitable for older teens who can handle intense and complex subject matter.
Why we rated Tarnished Are the Stars 12IP
Tarnished Are the Stars is written at a Level 7 reading level across 384 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Tarnished Are the Stars works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Tarnished Are the Stars as 12IP ("Intense — Physical") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Torture, Amputation, Death of a Child, Death of a Parent, Kidnapping, Childbirth, Ableist Language or Behavior, Death of an LGBTQ Person.
Thematically, Tarnished Are the Stars explores young adult fiction, science & nature, lgbtq+ representation, steampunk, and adventure — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ 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 young adult fiction, science & nature, lgbtq+ representation.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 13+ — 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.
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12IP — Intense — PhysicalHeavy 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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781338312287
- Pages
- 384
- Publisher
- Scholastic Inc.
- Published
- 2019
- Type
- Fiction