Death of a character3/5
Why this rating?
Backstory includes murdered families and dead parents; Thaegan dies, while grief and loss are part of the characters' histories.
book
The Lake of Tears
Is The Lake of Tears appropriate for your child? See the reviewed age guidance, content cautions, positive themes, and supporting evidence below.
Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for The Lake of Tears by Emily Rodda. This book is content notes include Death of a character, Frightening scenes, Violence; positive qualities include Courage & resilience, Creativity & curiosity.
Book 2 · Deltora QuestSource checked
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10-second decision
Is this likely to fit your family?
Age guidanceNot listed
Strongest cautionsDeath of a character 3/5 · Frightening scenes 3/5 · Violence 3/5
Strongest positivesCourage & resilience 4/5 · Creativity & curiosity 4/5
Series positionBook 2 · Deltora Quest
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 3/5
Recommendation 3.8/5Show Wikipedia summary
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Quick view
At a glance
Recommended ageNot listed
Strongest cautions
- Death of a character3/5
- Frightening scenes3/5
- Violence3/5
Strongest positives
- Courage & resilience4/5
- Creativity & curiosity4/5
- Good role models4/5
Reading order
Series progression
All known volumes are shown. Reviewed books include age guidance and cautions; books still being reviewed are clearly marked.
- Book 1 · The Forests of SilenceAges 14+Starting point
- Gets gentler
- Book 3 · City of the RatsAges 10+Gets more intense
- About the same
- Gets gentler
- Gets more intense
- Gets gentler
- Gets more intense
What’s in it?
What’s good in it?
Family discussion
Talk about it
Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.
- What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
- How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
- Which choice in The Lake of Tears would you have made differently, and why?
- Who changed the most in The Lake of Tears, and what caused that change?
Community perspective — separate from editorial ratings
What families noticed
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These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.
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