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Cover of A tale of Two Castles

A tale of Two Castles

Gail Carson Levine (2011)

SubgenreMiddle Grade Fantasy
Age groupMiddle Grade 8-12
Content ratingPG
Pages328 (Standard (250-400))
SettingSecondary World
CSM age10
Goodreads3.78/5 (9331)
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Content levels

ViolenceMild
Sexual contentNone
LanguageNone

Trigger warnings

PoisonDeath

Positive tags

AdventureMentor FigureMysterySelf-DiscoveryFriendship

Hero archetypes

Apprentice

Heroine archetypes

Coming-of-Age Heroine

Protagonist archetypes

Reluctant HeroComing-of-Age Protagonist

Tropes

Mentor FigureComing of AgeFish out of WaterDragon CompanionMysteryPolitical IntrigueHidden Identity

Themes

Coming of AgeDeductive ReasoningObservation and LogicMentorshipIdentityAmbitionCourt Intrigue

Synopsis

Twelve-year-old Elodie journeys to Two Castles in hopes of studying acting but instead becomes apprentice to a dragon, who teaches her to be observant and use reasoning, thus helping her to uncover who is poisoning the king.

Is A tale of Two Castles appropriate for my child?

Suitable for most readers 10 and up.

A charming middle grade mystery where a young girl apprentices to a dragon detective to solve a poisoning plot. Mild peril and mystery tension appropriate for the age group.

What to know going in

This book has mild violence, no sexual content, and clean language. Content notes include death and poison.

Who'll love this

Kids will love following Elodie as she learns detective skills from a dragon mentor and solves a royal mystery.

Tags

MysteryDetective StoryDragon Story