The deadly game
Jim Eldridge
The deadly game
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
The Malichea Quest
by Jim Eldridge
The text is written at a 6th 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
There’s a secret society called the Order of Malichea that no one talks about—except Jake Wells. He’s just given up an ancient, powerful book and is risking everything to save his girlfriend, who’s been taken far away under mysterious threats. But that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade suspense novel follows Jake Wells as he navigates dangerous conspiracies involving a secret society called the Order of Malichea. Suitable for ages 9-12, it contains themes of mystery and risk-taking but handles peril in a way appropriate for middle-grade readers. Parents should note some suspenseful moments and mild peril as Jake works to save his girlfriend.
Why we rated The deadly game 11ME
The deadly game is written at a Level 6 reading level across 240 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The deadly game works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The deadly game as 11ME ("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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril.
Thematically, The deadly game explores suspense, adventure, friendship, conspiracies, and journalism — 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 suspense, adventure, friendship.
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
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
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
- 9781408817209
- Pages
- 240
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Published
- 2012
- Type
- Fiction