Edge of Darkness
Tim F. LaHaye
Edge of Darkness
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Tim F. LaHaye
The text is written at a 5th 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
When Michael Murphy uncovers mysterious signs pointing to the fabled temple of Dagon, he faces terrifying dangers linked to an ancient and sinister force. As he races to unravel the secrets buried in darkness, unexpected horrors threaten his life and those he cares about. Courage and faith will be tested in this gripping tale of adventure and peril.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 5-6 book with intense content intensity. Content themes include stalking, drug use, excessive gore. Written for readers ages 13+.
Why we rated Edge of Darkness 10IE
Edge of Darkness is written at a Level 5-6 reading level across 355 pages (approximately 91,577 words). Strong independent readers around grade 6.3 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Edge of Darkness works for readers up to grade 7.3.
Read aloud, Edge of Darkness runs about 10.2 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Edge of Darkness as 10IE ("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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Stalking, Drug Use, Excessive Gore, Body Horror, Breathing Difficulty, Unconsciousness, Death of Major Character, Death of Parent, Vomiting.
Thematically, Edge of Darkness explores adventure, christian fiction, mystery, and historical — 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.
- ✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, christian fiction, mystery.
- ✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 2 more books in the Babylon Rising series.
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 currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10IE — 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
5/10Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
More in the Babylon Rising Series
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0553803255
- Pages
- 355
- Publisher
- Bantam
- Published
- 2006
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 91,577
- Read-Aloud
- ~10h 11m
- Text Density
- Dense