HootRated mascot HootRated

Traitor's Game Books in Order

Traitor's Game is a 2-book series by Jennifer A. Nielsen for ages 13+, at a grade 5 reading level, with moderate content (HootRated intensity 3/5).

Books
2
By publication date
Reading level
Grade 5
Average grade level 5.4
Recommended ages
Ages 13+
From HootRated age ratings
Content intensity
Moderate
HootRated 3/5

Traitor's Game Reading Order

Series numbers aren't available for most Traitor's Game books, so they're listed by publication date (oldest first).

# Title Reading Level Ages Content
1 The traitor's game
2018
Level 5-6 13+ Moderate
2 Deceiver's Heart
2019
Level 5-6 13+ Moderate

Content Intensity Across the Series

Consistent

Content stays at a steady intensity level throughout the series.

1
2
First book Latest book

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. Traitor's Game (2 books by Jennifer A. Nielsen) lands at a grade 5 reading level, with average content intensity 3/5. 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 Traitor's Game Books

The traitor's game

Jennifer A. Nielsen

Cover of The traitor's game

The traitor's game

Jennifer A. Nielsen

Level 5-6

Deceiver's Heart

Jennifer A. Nielsen

Cover of Deceiver's Heart

Deceiver's Heart

Jennifer A. Nielsen

Level 5-6

Similar reading level, content intensity and themes.

Questions about the Traitor's Game series

What reading level is the Traitor's Game series?
Traitor's Game books are at a grade 5 reading level (average grade level 5.4), and HootRated recommends the series for ages 13+. There are 2 books in the series.
What order should I read the Traitor's Game books?
Series numbers aren't available for most Traitor's Game books, so HootRated lists them by publication date: The traitor's game (2018); Deceiver's Heart (2019).
What age is the Traitor's Game series appropriate for?
HootRated recommends Traitor's Game for ages 13+. Content is moderate (HootRated intensity 3/5). Intensity stays consistent across the series, so a reader who can handle the first book can generally handle the rest.