What age for Rivers of London?

[Cumberlover76]

Hi, I've not read the books myself yet, but look good. However, I was wondering if anyone who has read could give me an idea of what age they may be suitable for? DD is 11 and has read and loved all the Skullduggery Pleasant books. Would Rivers of London be too adult for her? It popped up when I was doing a search for books like Skullduggery. I'm planning to read myself but she's looking for something new so was considering this. Thanks.

There is some sex and violence. I would say 11 is too young personally.

Depends on the maturity of the child. There are a few very graphic bits in some of the books (faces melting off etc!) but in the main it’s not too scary.

I'd say no. The weird sex slave people animal hybrid one is way too grown up.

Seem to remember a bit of swearing, all in context but still swearing

My 11 year old enjoyed the first one.
I don’t really police reading tho (misery porn/American psycho type books aside) - if he finds it and wants to read it he can.

I'd say older teen really - adult themes
Skulduggery is much younger

I think there are too many nuances and adult themes, as in not sex/violence, but how adults relate to each other.

How about the Artemis Fowl series? Or the Percy Jackson ones?

I'd wait a couple of years.

Its not just the violence et, its the implied current affairs knowledge like institutional racism, politics, riots etc.

My 14 year old just read a couple and warned me in hushed terms about the sex - and she reads a lot of YA fiction! I enjoyed the first three. I wouldn't recommend them to my 11 year old yet.

The weird sex vampires and hybrid human stuff isn't appropriate for an 11 year old.

Artemis Fowl is very good, slightly different in that it's not magic but similar zone I think are all the Percy Jackson books (echoing the PPs recommendations). Rick Riordan has various series including some others i.e. Egyptian gods etc, definitely worth a go.

They are fab books but I would say 14-15 upwards.

11 is too young for Rivers of London.

Have a look at Diana Wynne Jones's books instead.

Thanks for the replies. I'll give them a read and pass on in a couple years. She's read all Percy Jackson a couple years ago and loved them. We've ordered the first Hunger Games so will see how she gets on. We've got all the Artemis Fowel but she's refusing to read them for some reason!! She loves the darkness and monster/death themes of the Skullduggery books so looking for that genre. I might try her with Terry Pratchett?

Have you tried The Spooks Apprentice books by Joseph Delaney?
Plenty of ghosts, witches and boggarts! It is dark, but well written, they are fantastic books. I love them and can't wait for my daughter to read them, she's 9 so not old enough really.

Some of the Terry Pratchett might be a bit complex, the Tiffany books would be a good place to start, and there is also Trucks, Diggers and Wings, but they might not be her sort of thing. The Tiffany books are witchy.

I agree Rivers of London is too old for 11

Some of the Rivers of London books have graphic sex scenes, book 2 in particular. Some graphic descriptions of murders as well. I think 11 is too young.

Has she read Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend? Plenty of magic, a vampire, some scary hell hounds - but age appropriate. There are only three books so far, but more to come. It deserves to be huge.

I’d agree - maybe wait a few years for rivers of London, though most of it would be ok. Def try Pratchett Tiffany aching, then the witches or guards.
Id also recommend Joe Abercrombie young adult series The Shattered Sea (NOT the other ones - they’re definitely too adult on all counts). Shattered Sea are good for maybe 12 and up - there’s one short paragraph sex scene but not gratuitous or horrible, I felt was ok for my 12 yr old.

Moon over Soho I think. I agree not suitable.

There is some (consensual ) sex between humans and non-humans in other books if that bothers you. It was fine within the context of the book.

I don't remember there being much sex/violence in the 'Invisible Library" series - might that be more suitable?

Thanks for all of the great suggestions, will check them out. She dived into the Hunger Games last night and loved the first couple if chapters so hopefully onto a winner there! She may stay in her room in the evening if she's into a good book rather than multiple visits for food and random other things whilst me and DH try to watch TV!

You could try Gail Carriger - the Finishing School series. I got into these after Rivers of London and they are probably aimed at the YA market.

Agree with others that Moon Over Soho definitely not aged 11 appropriate.

Has she read any Frances Hardinge? The Lie Tree is really good. Also Patrick Ness is fantastic - The Chaos Walking Trilogy and The Rest of Us Just Live Here amongst others.