Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
The Lost City of Faar
D. J. MacHale
The Lost City of Faar
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Pendragon #2
by D. J. MacHale
The text is written at a 3rd 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
What if you could travel through time to a land torn apart by war? Imagine teaming up with your uncle to fight off dangerous marauders and uncover a hidden city that could save everyone. But finding the lost city of Faar might cost you more than you ever expected.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This young adult fantasy adventure follows Pendragon as he navigates a war-torn world called Cloral. Alongside his uncle, he confronts dangerous enemies and searches for the mythical city of Faar, which holds hope for peace. The story contains some intense moments including character deaths, injury, and animal loss, making it suitable for older teens who can handle mature themes.
Why we rated The Lost City of Faar 8IE
The Lost City of Faar is written at a Level 3-4 reading level with a Lexile measure of 650L across 400 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Lost City of Faar works for readers up to grade 5.5.
We rate The Lost City of Faar as 8IE ("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, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Character Death, Animal Death, Injury, Restraint.
Thematically, The Lost City of Faar explores adventure, fantasy world-building, time travel, family, and sacrifice — 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 adventure, fantasy world-building, time travel.
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 currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8IE — 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
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
- 9780743437325
- Pages
- 400
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- January 1, 2003
- Type
- Fiction
- Lexile
- 650L