Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
The Morrigan's curse
Dianne K. Salerni
The Morrigan's curse
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Dianne K. Salerni
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
Magic and danger surge as ancient battles ignite, with a young girl caught between powerful forces. When Addie, gifted with Merlin's magic, is taken by dark enemies aiming to undo a powerful spell, her sister Evangeline and friends race against time to save her and protect their world. Loyalties are tested and sacrifices loom as the fate of the seven-day week hangs in the balance.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 5-6 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include mild peril, fantasy violence, emotional: loyalty conflict. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated The Morrigan's curse 10MP
The Morrigan's curse is written at a Level 5-6 reading level with a Lexile measure of 800L across 378 pages (approximately 82,033 words). Strong independent readers around grade 6.7 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Morrigan's curse works for readers up to grade 7.7.
Read aloud, The Morrigan's curse runs about 9.1 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate The Morrigan's curse as 10MP ("Moderate — Physical") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Fantasy Violence, Emotional: Loyalty Conflict.
Thematically, The Morrigan's curse explores magic, adventure, friendship, family, and fantasy world-building — 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.
- ✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about magic, adventure, friendship.
- ✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 2 more books in the Eighth Day series.
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.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10MP — Moderate — PhysicalReal 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
5/10Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780062272218
- Pages
- 378
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 82,033
- Lexile
- 800L
- Read-Aloud
- ~9h 7m
- Text Density
- Standard