Time Lies
M. J. Dermott
Time Lies
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by M. J. Dermott
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Gus races through the shadowy streets of London, heart pounding, as secrets swirl around him like a storm. Suddenly, a mysterious figure blocks his path, and everything hinges on the next move. Who can he trust in a world where time itself seems to twist against him?
Quick Assessment
This thrilling young adult novel follows Gus, a young actor whose role in a London theatre project plunges him into a world of espionage and time travel. The story explores themes of friendship, environmental crisis, and the consequences of climate change, making it suitable for teens 13 and up. While action-packed, it contains some suspenseful moments and complex themes that encourage thoughtful discussion.
Why we rated Time Lies 11ME
Time Lies is written at a Level 6 reading level across 280 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Time Lies works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Time Lies 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, thematic difficulty — 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, Time Lies explores adventure, friendship, science & nature, mystery, and coming of age — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, friendship, science & nature.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — 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
3/10A 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
- 9781838750183
- Pages
- 280
- Publisher
- Nightingale Books
- Published
- 2020
- Type
- Fiction