Darkness Rises
Stacy Stokes
Darkness Rises
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Stacy Stokes
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
I have a secret: I can see death before it happens, like dark clouds hanging over people. I've saved some, but one rescue went terribly wrong—now someone wants revenge, and the danger is closer than I ever imagined. But that's only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This young adult thriller follows Whitney, a girl who can see death looming over others and sometimes prevent it. After saving someone who later commits a horrific act, Whitney struggles with guilt and fear as she faces mysterious threats. The book deals with mature themes including trauma and school violence, making it suitable for older teens.
Why we rated Darkness Rises 12IE
Darkness Rises is written at a Level 7 reading level across 337 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Darkness Rises works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Darkness Rises as 12IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: School Violence, Trauma, Guilt.
Thematically, Darkness Rises explores supernatural, thriller, coming of age, mystery, and trauma recovery — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about supernatural, thriller, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 13+ — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780593327692
- Pages
- 337
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Published
- 2024
- Type
- Fiction