What reading level is When my heart was wicked?

When my heart was wicked by Tricia Stirling is at a Level 3-4 reading level (Lexile 690L). Recommended for Upper Grades readers (Ages 13+).

What age is When my heart was wicked appropriate for?

When my heart was wicked is recommended for Ages 13+. HootRating: 8ME (Moderate — Emotional).

What genre is When my heart was wicked?

When my heart was wicked is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does When my heart was wicked have any content warnings?

When my heart was wicked has a HootRating of 8ME (Moderate — Emotional). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is When my heart was wicked?

When my heart was wicked by Tricia Stirling is 184 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

When my heart was wicked

Tricia Stirling

When my heart was wicked

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Tricia Stirling

Reading Level 3-4 8ME Ages 13+ Heads Up

The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

What if the person who’s supposed to protect you suddenly becomes your biggest threat? Imagine living with your stepmother, the only family you have left after your dad’s death, when your birth mother appears out of nowhere, willing to use dark magic to take you back. How far would you go to keep your heart from turning wicked?

Themes

Fantasy World-Building FamilyMagicDark FantasyComing of Age

Quick Assessment

This young adult fantasy novel follows 16-year-old Lacy as she navigates the emotional turmoil following her father’s death and the sudden return of her birth mother, who uses dark magic to try to reclaim her. The story explores complex family relationships, grief, and the struggle for identity, making it suitable for teens who can handle mature themes and fantasy elements with some dark undertones.

Why we rated When my heart was wicked 8ME

When my heart was wicked is written at a Level 3-4 reading level with a Lexile measure of 690L across 184 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, When my heart was wicked works for readers up to grade 5.5.

We rate When my heart was wicked as 8ME ("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, 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, When my heart was wicked explores fantasy world-building, family, magic, dark fantasy, and coming of age — 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 fantasy world-building, family, magic.

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.