The crimson serpent
Dan Jolley
The crimson serpent
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Dan Jolley
The text is written at a 7th 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: Gabe and his friends believed they had saved their world from the shadowy dimension of Arcadia, but instead, they've accidentally trapped San Francisco in a terrifying nightmare where two worlds collide. Now, with all five elements at stake, they must face their biggest challenge yet—but that's only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
The Crimson Serpent is the thrilling conclusion to a middle grade fantasy series that blends supernatural elements and action-packed adventure. Suitable for readers aged 9-12, it explores themes of friendship, sacrifice, and battling dark forces with moderate intensity. Parents should note some suspenseful and intense scenes tied to fantasy violence and supernatural peril.
Why we rated The crimson serpent 12ME
The crimson serpent is written at a Level 7 reading level across 314 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The crimson serpent works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate The crimson serpent 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 — 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 crimson serpent explores fantasy, adventure, friendship, supernatural, and juvenile fiction — 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about fantasy, adventure, friendship.
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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780062411709
- Pages
- 314
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction