Maya and the Rising Dark Books in Order
Maya and the Rising Dark is a 2-book series by Rena Barron for ages 9–12, at a grade 5 reading level, with mild to moderate content (HootRated intensity 2–3 out of 5).
- Books
- 2
- By publication date
- Content intensity
- Mild to moderate
- HootRated 2–3 out of 5 · avg 2.5
Maya and the Rising Dark Reading Order
Series numbers aren't available for most Maya and the Rising Dark books, so they're listed by publication date (oldest first).
| # | Title | Reading Level | Ages | Content |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maya and the Rising Dark 2020 | Level 5-6 | 9-12 | Moderate |
| 2 | Maya and the Lord of Shadows 2022 | Level 5-6 | 9-12 | Mild |
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. Maya and the Rising Dark (2 books by Rena Barron) lands at a grade 5 reading level, with average content intensity 2.5/5. 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 Maya and the Rising Dark Books
Maya and the Rising Dark
Rena Barron
Maya and the Rising Dark
Rena Barron
Maya and the Lord of Shadows
Rena Barron
Maya and the Lord of Shadows
Rena Barron
Series Like Maya and the Rising Dark: What to Read Next
Similar reading level, content intensity and themes.
- Warriors Novella by Erin Hunter 5 books · Grades 5–6 · mild to moderate content
- Warriors: Super Edition by Erin Hunter 14 books · Grades 4–6 · mild to moderate content
- Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis 7 books · Grades 5–6 · mild to moderate content
- Princess School by Jane B. Mason 6 books · Grades 4–5 · gentle to intense content
- Septimus Heap by Angie Sage 7 books · Grades 5–6 · mild to moderate content
- Eighth Day by Dianne K. Salerni 3 books · Grades 5–6 · mild to moderate content
Questions about the Maya and the Rising Dark series
- What reading level is the Maya and the Rising Dark series?
- Maya and the Rising Dark books are at a grade 5 reading level (average grade level 5.3), and HootRated recommends the series for ages 9–12. There are 2 books in the series.
- What order should I read the Maya and the Rising Dark books?
- Series numbers aren't available for most Maya and the Rising Dark books, so HootRated lists them by publication date: Maya and the Rising Dark (2020); Maya and the Lord of Shadows (2022).
- What age is the Maya and the Rising Dark series appropriate for?
- HootRated recommends Maya and the Rising Dark for ages 9–12. 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.