Tough-O-Meter

We've got your back. With the Tough-O-Meter, you'll know whether to bring extra layers or Swiss army knives as you summit the literary mountain. (10 = Toughest)

(2) Sea Level

We think it's appropriate that this maritime adventure has a difficulty of "sea level." The prose isn't difficult, and the plot is so exciting that it moves along quickly. For most readers, it will probably take more effort to interpret the symbolism of the book than it does to read the book itself.