What We Devour
Linsey Miller
What We Devour
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Linsey Miller
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 scent of burning wood fills the air as Lorena’s quiet world shatters. A prince’s arrival brings power and danger she never expected, pulling her into a whirlwind of magic and secrets. With her heart torn between loyalty and new truths, every choice feels like a risk that could change everything.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade dark fantasy follows Lorena, a girl whose life is upended when a crown prince offers freedom in exchange for her power. Themes of loyalty, rebellion, and self-discovery unfold against a richly built magical world. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story includes complex emotional and social themes such as political conflict and LGBTQ+ representation.
Why we rated What We Devour 12ME
What We Devour 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, What We Devour works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate What We Devour 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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Fear & Anxiety, Political Conflict, LGBTQ+ Representation.
Thematically, What We Devour explores fantasy world-building, magic, adventure, coming of age, and lgbtq+ representation — 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, magic, adventure.
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.
Content Flags
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
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781492679257
- Pages
- 352
- Publisher
- Sourcebooks Fire
- Published
- 2021
- Type
- Fiction