What reading level is The chess queen enigma?

The chess queen enigma by Colleen Gleason is at a Level 6-7 reading level (Lexile 920L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is The chess queen enigma appropriate for?

The chess queen enigma is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 11MP (Moderate — Physical).

What genre is The chess queen enigma?

The chess queen enigma is fiction — Young Adult Fiction.

Does The chess queen enigma have any content warnings?

The chess queen enigma has a HootRating of 11MP (Moderate — Physical). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is The chess queen enigma?

The chess queen enigma by Colleen Gleason is 351 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated June 9, 2026

The chess queen enigma

Colleen Gleason

The chess queen enigma

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

A Stoker & Holmes Novel

by Colleen Gleason

Reading Level 6-7 11MP Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

Here's a secret: Evaline Stoker and Mina Holmes didn’t plan to become vampire hunters or detectives, but their family ties make it impossible to stay away. Now, as they protect a mysterious princess and chase after a stolen letter that unlocks the secret of an ancient chess queen, danger lurks around every corner—but that's only the beginning.

Themes

Mystery Adventure Fantasy World-Building Friendship Family

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade mystery blends elements of detective fiction, fantasy, and adventure, featuring young protagonists Evaline Stoker and Mina Holmes. Appropriate for ages 9-12, the story includes themes of vampire hunting and royal intrigue, with some suspense and mild peril. Parents should note the presence of fantasy violence and mysterious threats but overall the book maintains an age-appropriate tone.

Why we rated The chess queen enigma 11MP

The chess queen enigma is written at a Level 6-7 reading level with a Lexile measure of 920L across 351 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The chess queen enigma works for readers up to grade 8.5.

We rate The chess queen enigma as 11MP ("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.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.

Thematically, The chess queen enigma explores mystery, adventure, fantasy world-building, friendship, and family — 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.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about mystery, adventure, fantasy world-building.