We Are the Beasts
Gigi Griffis
We Are the Beasts
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Gigi Griffis
The text is written at a 7th 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
The cold wind howls through the trees, carrying the sharp tang of fear and the rustle of unseen footsteps. In the shadowy French countryside, a mysterious beast prowls, and two brave girls hatch a daring plan that could either save their friends or doom them all. Every creak and whisper holds a secret—will they survive the chilling unknown?
Quick Assessment
Set against the eerie backdrop of 18th-century France, this historical horror novel follows two teenage girls who use the attacks of a legendary beast to protect their friends from abusive homes. The story explores themes of survival, friendship, and courage in the face of danger, with some intense moments of peril and suspense appropriate for mature young readers aged 13 and up. Parents should be aware of its dark themes and atmospheric tension but will find it a compelling story of resilience.
Why we rated We Are the Beasts 12IE
We Are the Beasts is written at a Level 7 reading level across 352 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, We Are the Beasts works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate We Are the Beasts 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: Mild Fantasy Violence, Emotional Intensity, Dark Themes.
Thematically, We Are the Beasts explores friendship, coming of age, family, horror, and historical — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, coming of age, family.
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 who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! 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
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780593707753
- Pages
- 352
- Publisher
- Random House
- Published
- 2025
- Type
- Fiction