Dickens & Rumi
Cover of THE SHADOWS BETWEEN US

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THE SHADOWS BETWEEN US

Age rating, content warnings & parent guide

Tricia Levenseller

Is THE SHADOWS BETWEEN US appropriate for your child? See the reviewed age guidance, content cautions, positive themes, and supporting evidence below.

Alessandra plots to kill the Shadow King and take his kingdom for herself. (Ages 13 to 18)

Ages 14+Source checked

Why this age? Best suited to mature teens because of assassination attempts, threats, morally gray choices, death-related themes, sensual romance, and moderate reading complexity. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

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10-second decision

Is this likely to fit your family?

Age guidanceAges 14+
Strongest cautionsRomance 4/5 · Death of a character 3/5 · Violence 3/5
Strongest positivesCourage & resilience 3/5 · Creativity & curiosity 3/5
Recommendation2.8/5

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: romance.

This is the quick scan. Open the evidence and methodology below for the basis behind each rating.

Quick context

What parents should know

Best suited to mature teens because of assassination attempts, threats, morally gray choices, death-related themes, sensual romance, and moderate reading complexity. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ. Courage & resilience; strongest caution: romance.

Readiness snapshotAge guidance: 14+Main watch-out: Romance 4/5
Recommendation 2.8/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
16Scored categories
16Evidence notes
1Explicit 0/5 checks
Oct 22, 2026Last updated

Dickens & Rumi describes what is present; families decide what matters to them. Community reactions are kept separate from official content ratings.

How ratings workReport a rating or series issue
Review depth16 scored categories16 evidence notes
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At a glance

Recommended age14+

Strongest cautions

  • Romance4/5
  • Death of a character3/5
  • Violence3/5

Strongest positives

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

Keep going

What should you do next?

One review should lead naturally to the next useful choice.

Lower cautionsTry something gentlerLIGHTLARK SAGAOpen review →Similar fitCompare another titleEONACompare →Keep browsingSearch for another bookUse age, interests, vibe, or content preferences.Search →

Similar, with lighter cautions

Want something gentler?

These reviewed titles have overlapping age guidance and a lower total caution score than THE SHADOWS BETWEEN US. Open each review for the details.

LIGHTLARK SAGAAlex AsterAges 14+2 points lighter on published cautionsBOOKThe SingingAlison Croggon · 2008Ages 13+1 points lighter on published cautions

What’s in it?

Death of a character3/5
Why this rating?

Death and assassination are central themes to the plot.

Graphic injury2/5
Why this rating?

Some descriptions of injuries and blood are present but not gratuitous.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Mild profanity may be present consistent with the genre.

Romance4/5
Why this rating?

Romantic attraction and the developing relationship are central, with flirtation, jealousy, and kissing.

Frightening scenes2/5
Why this rating?

Threats, murder plots, palace danger, and suspense create tension without sustained horror imagery.

Sexual content & nudity2/5
Why this rating?

Contains mild sensuality and implied sexual content typical of YA romance.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

Alcohol consumption is occasionally depicted in a court setting.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

Assassination plots, threats, combat, and dangerous confrontations occur repeatedly; violence is fantasy-styled but can be serious.

Checked and not flagged

No concern recorded in these categories

These categories were explicitly scored 0/5 in the published review. This is not a guarantee that every edition or reader experience is identical.

LGBTQIA characters · 0/5

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience3/5
Why this rating?

Characters confront political danger, threats, and emotional vulnerability with substantial bravery and determination.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

Inventive court intrigue, strategic schemes, and a distinctive fantasy premise encourage imaginative engagement.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

Standard representation within a fantasy framework.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Incidental lessons on diplomacy and political navigation.

Kindness & empathy2/5
Why this rating?

Care and loyalty develop among characters, though manipulation and self-interest are frequent parts of the plot.

Positive messages3/5
Why this rating?

Explores trust, ambition, independence, loyalty, manipulation, and whether people can change or be known honestly.

Good role models2/5
Why this rating?

The heroine is clever and determined but manipulative and ethically compromised; other characters model loyalty and accountability unevenly.

Family discussion

Talk about it

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 THE SHADOWS BETWEEN US would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in THE SHADOWS BETWEEN US, and what caused that change?
Discuss this title with other parents

Community perspective — separate from editorial ratings

What families noticed

Community signal

Community ratings and written reactions are a separate layer. They do not automatically change Dickens & Rumi’s official age guidance or content scores.

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Related by age fit, format, and catalogue context.

You’re hereTHE SHADOWS BETWEEN US
EONAAlison GoodmanAges 14+EONAlison GoodmanAges 13+LIGHTLARK SAGAAlex AsterAges 14+CEMETERY BOYSAiden ThomasAges 14+

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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