The Lost Art
Simon Morden
The Lost Art
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Simon Morden
The text is written at a 8th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
The sharp scent of burnt metal fills the air as the ground trembles beneath their feet. In a world where magic and mystery rule, secrets of lost technology whisper through the shadows. When two unlikely heroes chase a shadowy figure spreading dangerous knowledge, every step could change everything.
Quick Assessment
Set a thousand years after a catastrophic war altered Earth's rotation, this young adult novel explores a society where the Church suppresses science and technology. The story follows Benzamir, a magician-like figure, and Va, a former killer turned monk, as they track Solomon, who secretly circulates forbidden technology. Suitable for teens, this book delves into themes of power, belief, and the conflict between tradition and innovation with moderate intensity.
Why we rated The Lost Art 12ME
The Lost Art is written at a Level 8 reading level across 528 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Lost Art works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate The Lost Art 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, thematic difficulty — 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 Lost Art explores science & nature, fantasy world-building, adventure, mystery, and coming of age — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about science & nature, fantasy world-building, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
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
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780385751483
- Pages
- 528
- Publisher
- David Fickling Books
- Published
- June 10, 2008
- Type
- Fiction