Dickens & Rumi

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Death Bringer

Derek Landy · 2011

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for Death Bringer by Derek Landy. This book is content notes include Death of a character, Frightening scenes, Violence; positive qualities include Courage & resilience, Creativity & curiosity.

Book 6 · Skulduggery PleasantSource checked

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10-second decision

Is this likely to fit your family?

Age guidanceNot listed
Strongest cautionsDeath of a character 4/5 · Frightening scenes 4/5 · Violence 4/5
Strongest positivesCourage & resilience 4/5 · Creativity & curiosity 4/5
Series positionBook 6 · Skulduggery Pleasant
Recommendation3.8/5

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: death of a character.

This is the quick scan. Open the evidence and methodology below for the basis behind each rating.

Quick context

What parents should know

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: death of a character.

Readiness snapshotMain watch-out: Death of a character 4/5
Recommendation 3.8/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
16Scored categories
16Evidence notes
1Explicit 0/5 checks
Nov 6, 2026Last updated

Dickens & Rumi describes what is present; families decide what matters to them. Community reactions are kept separate from official content ratings.

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Review depth16 scored categories16 evidence notes
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At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character4/5
  • Frightening scenes4/5
  • Violence4/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Creativity & curiosity4/5
  • Positive messages4/5

Reading order

Series progression

All known volumes are shown. Reviewed books include age guidance and cautions; books still being reviewed are clearly marked.

Next volumeBook 8 · Last Stand of Dead MenStrongest cautions: Death of a character 4/5 · Frightening scenes 4/5Open next review →
  1. Book 1 · Skulduggery PleasantAges 12+
    Frightening scenes4/5Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Graphic injury2/5Strong language2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5
    Starting point
  2. Book 2 · Playing with fireAges 14+
    Frightening scenes4/5Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Graphic injury2/5Strong language2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Romance1/5
    About the same
  3. Book 3 · The Faceless Ones
    Frightening scenes4/5Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Graphic injury2/5Religious themes2/5Strong language2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Romance1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    Gets more intense
  4. Book 4 · Dark Days
    Frightening scenes4/5Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Graphic injury2/5Strong language2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Products & advertising1/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    About the same
  5. Book 5 · Mortal CoilAges 14+
    Death of a character4/5Frightening scenes4/5Violence4/5Graphic injury2/5Romance2/5Strong language2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5LGBTQIA characters1/5Religious themes1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    Gets more intense
  6. Book 6 · Death Bringer
    Death of a character4/5Frightening scenes4/5Violence4/5Graphic injury2/5Romance2/5Strong language2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5LGBTQIA characters1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    About the same
  7. Book 8 · Last Stand of Dead Men
    Death of a character4/5Frightening scenes4/5Violence4/5Graphic injury3/5Romance2/5Strong language2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5LGBTQIA characters1/5Products & advertising1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    Gets more intense
  8. Book 9 · The Dying of the Light
    Death of a character4/5Frightening scenes4/5Violence4/5Graphic injury3/5Strong language3/5Romance2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5LGBTQIA characters1/5Products & advertising1/5Religious themes1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    Gets more intense
  9. Book 11 · Midnight (Skulduggery Pleasant, Book 11)Ages 14+
    Frightening scenes4/5Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Graphic injury3/5Religious themes2/5Romance2/5Strong language2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5LGBTQIA characters1/5
    Gets gentler
  10. Book 12 · BedlamAges 13+
    Death of a character4/5Frightening scenes4/5Violence4/5Graphic injury2/5LGBTQIA characters2/5Romance2/5Strong language2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Religious themes1/5
    About the same
  11. Book 13 · Seasons of War
    Death of a character4/5Frightening scenes4/5Violence4/5Graphic injury3/5LGBTQIA characters2/5Romance2/5Strong language2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    About the same
  12. Book 14 · Dead or AliveAges 13+
    Death of a character4/5Frightening scenes4/5Violence4/5Graphic injury2/5LGBTQIA characters2/5Romance2/5Strong language2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Religious themes1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    About the same
  13. Book 16 · A Mind Full of Murder
    Frightening scenes4/5Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Graphic injury2/5LGBTQIA characters2/5Romance2/5Strong language2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    Gets gentler
  14. Book 17 · A Heart Full of Hatred
    Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Strong language2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5LGBTQIA characters1/5Romance1/5
    Gets gentler

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What’s in it?

Death of a character4/5
Why this rating?

Significant character deaths occur, often impacting the protagonists deeply.

Graphic injury2/5
Why this rating?

Some descriptions of injuries and magical effects, but not gratuitous.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Occasional mild swearing and insults.

LGBTQIA characters1/5
Why this rating?

A few non-heterosexual characters or references may appear, but LGBTQIA+ identities and relationships are minor rather than central.

Romance2/5
Why this rating?

Teenage crushes and interpersonal relationships are present but not the focus.

Frightening scenes4/5
Why this rating?

Atmospheric, featuring monsters and high-stakes danger.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

Alcohol is occasionally mentioned or present in social settings, without substance use being a major focus or strongly glamorized.

Violence4/5
Why this rating?

Frequent supernatural fights, attacks, torture-like peril, weapons, and serious threats; violence is action-oriented but consequences can be significant.

Checked and not flagged

No concern recorded in these categories

These categories were explicitly scored 0/5 in the published review. This is not a guarantee that every edition or reader experience is identical.

Sexual content & nudity · 0/5

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Characters repeatedly confront terrifying enemies and overwhelming danger, with bravery linked to loyalty, sacrifice, and perseverance.

Creativity & curiosity4/5
Why this rating?

Highly imaginative magic, inventive supernatural concepts, unusual characters, and clever problem-solving strongly support creative engagement.

Diverse representation2/5
Why this rating?

The cast features a moderate mix of backgrounds and magical identities.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Vocabulary and narrative complexity are strong for young readers.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

Empathy is central to the protagonists' bond.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

Explores the difficulty of making the right choice under pressure.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Characters are flawed but often demonstrate resilience and loyalty.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
  3. Which choice in Death Bringer would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Death Bringer, and what caused that change?
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