Dark Man Books in Order
Dark Man is a 17-book series by Peter Lancett for ages 9+, at a grades 1–4 reading level, with mild to moderate content (HootRated intensity 2–3 out of 5).
- Books
- 17
- By publication date
- Content intensity
- Mild to moderate
- HootRated 2–3 out of 5 · avg 2.6
Dark Man Reading Order
Series numbers aren't available for most Dark Man books, so they're listed by publication date (oldest first).
| # | Title | Reading Level | Ages | Content |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Danger in the Dark 2010 | Level 1-2 | 13+ | Moderate |
| 2 | Dark Dreams 2010 | Level 2 | 13+ | Moderate |
| 3 | Dark Waters of Time 2010 | Level 2-3 | 13+ | Moderate |
| 4 | Dying for the Dark 2010 | Level 3-4 | 9-12 | Moderate |
| 5 | Killer in the Dark 2010 | Level 2-3 | 9-12 | Mild |
| 6 | The Dark Glass 2010 | Level 2-3 | 13+ | Mild |
| 7 | The Dark Machine-Dark Man (Dark Man: Green) 2010 | Level 2-3 | 9-12 | Mild |
| 8 | The Dark Side Of Magic 2010 | Level 1-2 | 13+ | Moderate |
| 9 | The Dark Words-Dark Man (Dark Man: Green) 2010 | Level 2-3 | 9-12 | Mild |
| 10 | The Shadow in the Dark 2010 | Level 2-3 | 13+ | Mild |
| 11 | Bridge of Dark Tears 2011 | Level 3 | 13+ | Moderate |
| 12 | Dark Garden 2011 | Level 3-4 | 13+ | Moderate |
| 13 | Dark Music 2011 | Level 3-4 | 13+ | Mild |
| 14 | Dark River 2011 | Level 3-4 | 13+ | Mild |
| 15 | Playing the Dark Game 2011 | Level 3-4 | 13+ | Moderate |
| 16 | The Dark Candle 2011 | Level 2-3 | 9-12 | Moderate |
| 17 | The Past is Dark 2011 | Level 3-4 | 13+ | Moderate |
Content Intensity Across the Series
ConsistentContent stays at a steady intensity level throughout the series.
Series books grow with readers — but that's also the trap. Most series start at one reading level and one content intensity and drift upward over the course of the run. Dark Man (17 books by Peter Lancett) lands at a grades 1–4 reading level, with average content intensity 2.6/5. Intensity stays consistent across the series, so a reader who can handle the first book can generally handle the rest.
The reading-order table above lists every book with per-volume reading level, age and intensity ratings so you can spot any escalation before it catches your reader off guard. For a deeper dive into how we score text difficulty vs. emotional weight separately — and why series readers especially benefit from that split — see our methodology page.
All Dark Man Books
Danger in the Dark
Peter Lancett
Danger in the Dark
Peter Lancett
Dark Dreams
Peter Lancett
Dark Dreams
Peter Lancett
Dark Waters of Time
Peter Lancett
Dark Waters of Time
Peter Lancett
Dying for the Dark
Peter Lancett
Dying for the Dark
Peter Lancett
Killer in the Dark
Peter Lancett
Killer in the Dark
Peter Lancett
The Dark Glass
Peter Lancett
The Dark Glass
Peter Lancett
The Dark Machine-Dark Man (Dark Man: Green)
Peter Lancett
The Dark Machine-Dark Man (Dark Man: Green)
Peter Lancett
The Dark Side Of Magic
Peter Lancett
The Dark Side Of Magic
Peter Lancett
The Dark Words-Dark Man (Dark Man: Green)
Peter Lancett
The Dark Words-Dark Man (Dark Man: Green)
Peter Lancett
The Shadow in the Dark
Peter Lancett
The Shadow in the Dark
Peter Lancett
Bridge of Dark Tears
Peter Lancett
Bridge of Dark Tears
Peter Lancett
Dark Garden
Peter Lancett
Dark Garden
Peter Lancett
Dark Music
Peter Lancett
Dark Music
Peter Lancett
Dark River
Peter Lancett
Dark River
Peter Lancett
Playing the Dark Game
Peter Lancett
Playing the Dark Game
Peter Lancett
The Dark Candle
Peter Lancett
The Dark Candle
Peter Lancett
The Past is Dark
Peter Lancett
The Past is Dark
Peter Lancett
Series Like Dark Man: What to Read Next
Similar reading level, content intensity and themes.
- Dark Man; Zone Books by Peter Lancett 4 books · Grades 1–2 · mild to moderate content
- Stranger Things (ABDO/Spotlight); Graphic Novels (ABDO/Spotlight) by Jody Houser 4 books · Grades 1–3 · mild content
- Goosebumps Most Wanted Special Edition by Robert Lawrence Stine 4 books · Grades 3–4 · mild to moderate content
- DC Comics (Stone Arch); Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures by Matthew K. Manning 6 books · Grades 2–3 · mild content
- Far Out Fairy Tales by Stephanie True Peters 3 books · Grades 2–3 · gentle to mild content
- Warriors Graphic Novel (Harper Alley) by Erin Hunter 6 books · Grades 2–3 · mild to moderate content
Questions about the Dark Man series
- What reading level is the Dark Man series?
- Dark Man books are at a grades 1–4 reading level (average grade level 2.8), and HootRated recommends the series for ages 9+. There are 17 books in the series.
- What order should I read the Dark Man books?
- Series numbers aren't available for most Dark Man books, so HootRated lists them by publication date: Danger in the Dark (2010); Dark Dreams (2010); Dark Waters of Time (2010); Dying for the Dark (2010); Killer in the Dark (2010); and 12 more.
- What age is the Dark Man series appropriate for?
- HootRated recommends Dark Man for ages 9+. Content is mild to moderate (HootRated intensity 2–3 out of 5). Intensity stays consistent across the series, so a reader who can handle the first book can generally handle the rest.