The Book of the Sword
Carrie Asai
The Book of the Sword
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Carrie Asai
The text is written at a 6th 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
Heaven Kogo ducks as cards slam onto the table, the gambler's eyes burning with a dangerous bet. The stakes aren't just money—they're her very survival. Suddenly, a shadow moves closer, and everything changes in an instant.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This young adult novel follows Heaven Kogo, a skilled martial artist navigating the perilous world of underground gambling in Las Vegas. The story explores themes of survival and resilience with some intense scenes appropriate for ages 13 and up. Parents should note mild violence and suspenseful moments as the protagonist faces dangerous challenges.
Why we rated The Book of the Sword 11ME
The Book of the Sword is written at a Level 6 reading level across 287 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Book of the Sword works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The Book of the Sword as 11ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, The Book of the Sword explores martial arts, adventure, survival, and coming of age — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about martial arts, adventure, survival.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780786266845
- Pages
- 287
- Publisher
- Large Print Press
- Published
- July 9, 2004
- Type
- Fiction