This monstrous thing
Mackenzi Lee
This monstrous thing
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Mackenzi Lee
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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
The clank of gears and hiss of steam fill the air as Alasdair works feverishly in his dimly lit workshop. The cold metal parts feel strange against his skin, alive with the hope of bringing his brother back. But when Oliver wakes, something is different—more monster than man—and the town is ready to hunt them both.
Quick Assessment
This Monstrous Thing is a Gothic fantasy retelling of Frankenstein set in a steampunk world, exploring themes of loss, identity, and the consequences of playing with life and death. Recommended for readers aged 9-12, it contains mild fantasy violence and moments of suspense, with emotional depth suitable for middle-grade readers. The story addresses complex ideas about family and acceptance within an imaginative historical setting.
Why we rated This monstrous thing 12ME
This monstrous thing is written at a Level 7 reading level across 371 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, This monstrous thing works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate This monstrous thing 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, This monstrous thing explores fantasy world-building, adventure, family, coming of age, and science & nature — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about fantasy world-building, adventure, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! 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.
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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
The monstrous child
Francesca Simon
The monstrous child
Francesca Simon
The siege
Mark Alpert
The siege
Mark Alpert
Monstrous devices
Damien Love
Monstrous devices
Damien Love
This broken wondrous world
Jon Skovron
This broken wondrous world
Jon Skovron
This dark endeavor
Kenneth Oppel
This dark endeavor
Kenneth Oppel
Here Be Monsters!
Alan Snow
Here Be Monsters!
Alan Snow
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780062382771
- Pages
- 371
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction