The king slayer
Virginia Boecker
The king slayer
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
a sequel to The witch hunter
by Virginia Boecker
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
The sharp clang of swords echoes through the misty village as Elizabeth Grey hides from the king who wants her captured. The air smells of smoke and magic, and every step she takes could lead to danger or a chance to save her friends. With the fate of her world hanging in the balance, Elizabeth must find the courage to face the shadows within and around her.
Themes
Quick Assessment
The King Slayer is a middle-grade fantasy novel following Elizabeth Grey, a former witch hunter now allied with witches and wizards as she evades a ruthless king. The story explores themes of loyalty, magic, and sacrifice, with action and suspense appropriate for readers aged 9-12. Parents should note that the book includes fantasy violence, magical battles, and the emotional challenges of war.
Why we rated The king slayer 12ME
The king slayer is written at a Level 7 reading level across 377 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The king slayer works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate The king slayer 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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Fantasy Violence, Physical Danger, Emotional: Fear & Anxiety, Emotional: Loyalty.
Thematically, The king slayer explores magic, fantasy world-building, loyalty, adventure, and friendship — 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 magic, fantasy world-building, loyalty.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! 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.
Content Flags
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
- 9780316327237
- Pages
- 377
- Publisher
- Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction