The broken ones
Danielle L. Jensen
The broken ones
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
(Prequel to the Malediction Trilogy)
by Danielle L. Jensen
The text is written at a 7th 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
Here’s a secret few know: beneath Forsaken Mountain, a hidden revolution brews to topple a cruel king. Marc holds a dangerous truth that could change everything, but he can’t tell even the girl he loves. And Pénélope? She’s caught between love and betrayal—but that’s only the beginning.
Quick Assessment
This young adult fantasy novel explores themes of political intrigue, forbidden love, and personal sacrifice as a secret revolution unfolds beneath Forsaken Mountain. The story includes complex characters facing loyalty and trust challenges, with some darker themes suitable for teens aged 13 and up. Parents should note the presence of intense emotional situations and fantasy violence.
Why we rated The broken ones 12ME
The broken ones is written at a Level 7 reading level across 317 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The broken ones works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate The broken ones as 12ME ("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, thematic difficulty — 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 broken ones explores fantasy world-building, romance, adventure, coming of age, and friendship — 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 fantasy world-building, romance, adventure.
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
12ME — 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
- 9780857666970
- Pages
- 317
- Publisher
- Angry Robot, Limited
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction