Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
The immortal heights
Sherry Thomas
The immortal heights
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Sherry Thomas
The text is written at a 5th 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
The sharp clang of swords echoes through the cold, shadowy halls of Atlantis’s fortress, where magic crackles in the air like electricity. Iolanthe and Titus race against time, their hearts pounding with hope and fear, as they prepare to face the terrifying Bane. The fate of their world hangs in the balance, and every step could be their last.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This fantasy novel follows Iolanthe and Titus as they undertake a dangerous mission to stop a tyrannical mage named the Bane, who threatens their realm. Suitable for middle-grade readers, the story includes themes of magic, friendship, and bravery, with some intense moments related to conflict and peril. Parents should note the presence of fantasy violence and suspenseful situations, but these are handled within the context of an adventurous magical saga.
Why we rated The immortal heights 10ME
The immortal heights is written at a Level 5-6 reading level with a Lexile measure of 890L across 433 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 6.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The immortal heights works for readers up to grade 7.5.
We rate The immortal heights as 10ME ("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 immortal heights explores fantasy, kings and rulers, wizards, insurgency, and teenagers — 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, kings and rulers, wizards.
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
10ME — 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
- 9780062207357
- Pages
- 433
- Publisher
- Balzer + Bray
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction
- Lexile
- 890L