Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
The Beauty of Darkness
Mary Pearson
The Beauty of Darkness
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Mary Pearson
The text is written at a 5th 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
Princess Lia and Rafe embark on a perilous journey far from Venda, facing challenges that test their courage and loyalty. As they navigate a world filled with danger and uncertainty, their bond grows stronger amidst the shadows of their past. Together, they must find a way to survive and protect what they hold dear.
About & Banning Context
In the concluding volume of the Remnant Chronicles, Lia has survived the challenges of Venda, but a formidable evil threatens the kingdom of Morrighan. As war looms, she must embrace her responsibilities as First Daughter and take on the role of a leader and warrior. Lia faces the difficult task of warning her people while grappling with her complicated feelings towards Rafe and her mistrust of Kaden, who has pursued her. This final installment weaves together themes of betrayal, sacrifice, and the struggle against overwhelming odds, as the fate of multiple kingdoms hangs in the balance.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 5-6 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include physical danger, survival. Written for readers ages 13+.
Why we rated The Beauty of Darkness 10MP
The Beauty of Darkness is written at a Level 5-6 reading level across 684 pages (approximately 156,358 words). Strong independent readers around grade 6.4 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Beauty of Darkness works for readers up to grade 7.4.
Read aloud, The Beauty of Darkness runs about 17.4 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate The Beauty of Darkness as 10MP ("Moderate — Physical") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. 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: Physical Danger, Survival.
Thematically, The Beauty of Darkness explores survival, princesses, adventure, and romance — 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.
- ✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about survival, princesses, adventure.
- ✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there is one more book in the Remnant Chronicles series.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10MP — Moderate — PhysicalReal 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
5/10Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780805099256
- Pages
- 684
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 156,358
- Read-Aloud
- ~17h 22m
- Text Density
- Standard