This is not the end
Jesse Jordan
This is not the end
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jesse Jordan
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
James Salley is no ordinary teen—he's actually the Antichrist, and everything in his life is spiraling out of control. From bullies to secret followers to a school librarian urging him to start the Apocalypse, James faces challenges that could change the world. But can he choose his own path when fate has already written him as the villain?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows James Salley, a sixteen-year-old who grapples with his dark destiny as the Antichrist while navigating typical adolescent struggles like bullying and family neglect. The story blends supernatural themes with teenage romance and identity crises, making it suitable for readers aged 9-12 who can handle complex themes around fate and morality. Parents should be aware of mature topics including suicide, religious conflict, and violence depicted in a fantastical context.
Why we rated This is not the end 12IE
This is not the end is written at a Level 7 reading level across 388 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, This is not the end works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate This is not the end 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: Suicide, Religious Conflict, Bullying, Violence.
Thematically, This is not the end explores identity, fate and fatalism, high school, friendship, and romance — 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 identity, fate and fatalism, high school.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — 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
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781942546306
- Pages
- 388
- Publisher
- Medallion Media Group
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction