We've got your back. With the Tough-O-Meter, you'll know whether to bring extra layers or Swiss army knives as you summit the literary mountain. (10 = Toughest)
(4) Base Camp
Splendors and Glooms is the sort of engrossing, fantastical tale that appeals to all sorts of readers, both young and old. Because it's written for a young-adult audience, the language is pretty simple and easy to follow, but be warned that the subject matter might be a bit too creepy and frightening for some younger readers. There's an evil magician in the story, after all, plus the book doesn't shy away from the topic of death. So, while the novel is easy to read and follow, beware that the themes get pretty dark.