Death sworn
Leah Cypess
Death sworn
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Leah Cypess
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Ileni is losing her magic, and with it, her place in the world and the boy she loves. She's sent to live with a secret clan of assassins hidden in dark caves where the last sorcerers vanished mysteriously. But what she uncovers there is more dangerous than she ever imagined—and that's only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This fantasy novel follows Ileni, a young sorceress who, after losing her magic, is exiled to teach a secretive clan of assassins. The story explores themes of loss, loyalty, and forbidden love, set against a backdrop of magic and mystery. Suitable for middle-grade readers, it contains some darker elements like murder and suspense but remains appropriate for ages 9-12.
Why we rated Death sworn 12ME
Death sworn is written at a Level 7 reading level across 344 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Death sworn works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Death sworn as 12ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Death sworn explores fantasy, assassins, love, secrets, and magic — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about fantasy, assassins, love.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" 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
- 9780062221216
- Pages
- 344
- Publisher
- Greenwillow Books
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction