The last harvest
Kim Liggett
The last harvest
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Novel
by Kim Liggett
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
I’m going to tell you a secret: Clay’s dad died clutching a crucifix, whispering strange words about blood. Now, whispers of devil worship haunt the town, and everyone’s eyes are on Clay like he’s next. But that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
The Last Harvest is a young adult horror novel centered on Clay Tate, a teenager grappling with the mysterious death of his father and the eerie suspicion surrounding a local cult. Themes include supernatural elements, psychological tension, and small-town fear, appropriate for mature teens due to its dark and intense content. Parents should note the portrayal of violence, cult activity, and mental health challenges.
Why we rated The last harvest 12IE
The last harvest is written at a Level 7 reading level across 350 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The last harvest works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate The last harvest as 12IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Cult Activity, Violence, Mental Health.
Thematically, The last harvest explores cults, supernatural, horror, young adult fiction, and psychological suspense — 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 cults, supernatural, horror.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 13+ — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! 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
12IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780765380982
- Pages
- 350
- Publisher
- Macmillan
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction