HootRated mascot HootRated

Hollow Kingdom Books in Order

Hollow Kingdom is a 3-book series by Clare B. Dunkle for ages 9+, at a grades 5–6 reading level, with mild to moderate content (HootRated intensity 2–3 out of 5).

Books
3
By publication date
Reading level
Grades 5–6
Average grade level 5.6
Recommended ages
Ages 9+
From HootRated age ratings
Content intensity
Mild to moderate
HootRated 2–3 out of 5 · avg 2.3

Hollow Kingdom Reading Order

Series numbers aren't available for most Hollow Kingdom books, so they're listed by publication date (oldest first).

# Title Reading Level Ages Content
1 The Hollow Kingdom
Book I -- The Hollow Kingdom Trilogy
2003
Level 5-6 11+ Moderate
2 Close Kin
Book II -- The Hollow Kingdom Trilogy
2004
Level 5-6 11+ Mild
3 In the Coils of the Snake
Book III -- The Hollow Kingdom Trilogy
2005
Level 5-6 9-12 Mild

Content Intensity Across the Series

Consistent

Content stays at a steady intensity level throughout the series.

1
2
3
First book Latest book

Series books grow with readers — but that's also the trap. Most series start at one reading level and one content intensity and drift upward over the course of the run. Hollow Kingdom (3 books by Clare B. Dunkle) lands at a grades 5–6 reading level, with average content intensity 2.3/5. Intensity stays consistent across the series, so a reader who can handle the first book can generally handle the rest.

The reading-order table above lists every book with per-volume reading level, age and intensity ratings so you can spot any escalation before it catches your reader off guard. For a deeper dive into how we score text difficulty vs. emotional weight separately — and why series readers especially benefit from that split — see our methodology page.

Similar reading level, content intensity and themes.

Questions about the Hollow Kingdom series

What reading level is the Hollow Kingdom series?
Hollow Kingdom books are at a grades 5–6 reading level (average grade level 5.6), and HootRated recommends the series for ages 9+. There are 3 books in the series.
What order should I read the Hollow Kingdom books?
Series numbers aren't available for most Hollow Kingdom books, so HootRated lists them by publication date: The Hollow Kingdom (2003); Close Kin (2004); In the Coils of the Snake (2005).
What age is the Hollow Kingdom series appropriate for?
HootRated recommends Hollow Kingdom for ages 9+. Content is mild to moderate (HootRated intensity 2–3 out of 5). Intensity stays consistent across the series, so a reader who can handle the first book can generally handle the rest.