War of the Bastards
Andrew Shvarts
War of the Bastards
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Andrew Shvarts
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.
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About This Book
The sharp crackle of fire fills the cold night air, mixing with the scent of smoke and earth. Tilla and her friends huddle close, their hearts pounding as they prepare to face dark magic and shadowy enemies. But when secrets from the desert arise, their world feels like it’s about to shift forever.
Quick Assessment
Set in a fantasy world filled with magic and rebellion, this middle-grade novel follows Tilla and her friends as they fight against a ruthless ruler. Themes of friendship, bravery, and difficult choices are explored amid action-packed scenes and magical discoveries. Suitable for ages 9-12, it involves fantasy violence and complex emotional moments but is appropriate for mature middle-grade readers.
Why we rated War of the Bastards 12ME
War of the Bastards is written at a Level 7 reading level across 320 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, War of the Bastards works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate War of the Bastards 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 — 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, War of the Bastards explores adventure, friendship, fantasy world-building, family, and magic — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, friendship, fantasy world-building.
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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781484767641
- Pages
- 320
- Publisher
- Hyperion Books for Children
- Published
- 2019
- Type
- Fiction