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- Pages
- 448
- Published
- 2013
- Reading level
- young-adult
- Ages
- 11–15
- Grades
- 6–10
About the book
About the book
The Ashtown Burials series concludes with a fight for the soul of an ancient order.
AI summary
For older middle-grade. Christian worldview; some violence.
Why parents choose this book
What makes Empire of Bones worth choosing
An honest, parent-first look at who this book suits, what it offers, and what to know before you buy.
Best for
- Age range: 11–15 (fits siblings across a range).
- Reading maturity: Young adult — teen protagonists and more nuanced themes.
- Kids who tend to love it: Courage, Fantasy, Adventure.
- Personality fit: big-imagination kids who love new worlds.
Parents love this book because
- Reinforces values many families care about: courage, Faith-Friendly.
- Written by N.D. Wilson, whose books parents return to for consistently thoughtful storytelling.
Your child will probably enjoy Empire of Bones if they…
- Love magic, dragons, or fantasy worlds
- Enjoy adventure and quests
This book helps develop
- Courage
- Faith-Friendly
Things parents should know
- Violence: clear on-page conflict without lingering detail.
Reading commitment
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Why we recommend it
We recommend Empire of Bones for the 11–15 age band with a small heads-up on content — worth previewing or discussing. It leans into fantasy in a way that feels genuine, not formulaic. N.D. Wilson's voice is what makes it stick: readable, respectful of kids, and easy to hand to the next child in the family.
Content ratings
What parents say
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