Dickens & Rumi
Cover of SPELLS

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SPELLS

Aprilynne Pike

It’s time for major life and love decisions for the young denizens of fairyland.

Ages 13+Source checked

Why this age? Best suited to teens because of sustained romantic conflict, references to hookups and orgies, kissing, fantasy attacks, weapons, danger, and moderately complex social themes. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age13+

Strongest cautions

  • Romance4/5
  • Frightening scenes3/5
  • Sexual content & nudity3/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience3/5
  • Creativity & curiosity3/5
  • Positive messages3/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character2/5
Why this rating?

References to the sacrifice of a king and the passing of a faerie's father occur.

Graphic injury2/5
Why this rating?

Fantasy injuries occur, such as the loss of petals, but detailed gore is absent.

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

The supplied passages show no profanity or slurs. Mild conflict language appears, but the excerpt is incomplete.

Religious themes1/5
Why this rating?

No specific religious themes; faerie mythology is the primary focus.

Romance4/5
Why this rating?

The love triangle among Laurel, David, and Tamani is central, with declarations of love, jealousy, kissing, and relationship choices.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

Troll attacks, threats after sundown, pursuit, secrecy, and uncertainty about whom to trust create recurring tension.

Sexual content & nudity3/5
Why this rating?

A faerie festival explicitly mentions hookups and orgies, plus a kiss. No sexual activity is described in the supplied passages.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

No usage of drugs or alcohol is highlighted.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

Trolls attack Laurel and David; Laurel is injured, they flee in a car, and defensive weapons and guarding are discussed.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience3/5
Why this rating?

Laurel deliberately draws trolls away from a party, confronts danger, questions unfair customs, and protects others despite fear.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

Inventive faerie biology, Avalon, the World Tree, magical gates, seasonal societies, and imaginative problem-solving are central features.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

The story includes distinct faerie cultures, ranks, and family structures, but this is fantasy-world variety rather than broad human demographic diversity.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

School and academy lessons involve faerie history, defensive herbology, social systems, and magical culture, though education is not the main purpose.

Kindness & empathy2/5
Why this rating?

Characters show concern for one another and provide support during crises.

Positive messages3/5
Why this rating?

The story meaningfully explores identity, responsibility, honesty, social hierarchy, prejudice, and protecting others, though the full resolution is not supplied.

Good role models2/5
Why this rating?

Laurel shows empathy and responsibility, though she also lies, takes risks, and struggles with difficult relationship decisions.

Family discussion

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Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. How did relationships or romance affect the characters’ choices?
  3. Which choice in SPELLS would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in SPELLS, and what caused that change?
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These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

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