Those Who Prey
Jennifer Moffett
Those Who Prey
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jennifer Moffett
The text is written at a 8th 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
There’s a secret group on campus that promises friendship and adventure, but what if everything isn’t as perfect as it seems? Emily is drawn in, feeling like she finally belongs—until the truth about The Kingdom turns darker than she ever imagined. And that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This young adult psychological thriller follows Emily, a lonely college freshman who becomes involved with an exclusive on-campus group that quickly reveals manipulative and dangerous behaviors. Intended for ages 13-18, the story explores themes of belonging, manipulation, and the risks of cult-like groups, with some intense moments involving isolation and death. Parents should note the mature themes related to psychological manipulation and loss.
Why we rated Those Who Prey 12IE
Those Who Prey is written at a Level 8 reading level across 416 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Those Who Prey works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate Those Who Prey 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: Psychological Manipulation, Isolation, Death.
Thematically, Those Who Prey explores coming of age, friendship, social justice, religion & faith, and mystery — 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 coming of age, friendship, social justice.
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
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
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781534450981
- Pages
- 416
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- 2020
- Type
- Fiction