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Cover of THE LYING GAME

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THE LYING GAME

Age rating, content warnings & parent guide

Sara Shepard

Is THE LYING GAME appropriate for your child? See the reviewed age guidance, content cautions, positive themes, and supporting evidence below.

A long-lost twin impersonates her dead sister to try to solve her murder.

Ages 14+Book 1 · The Lying GameSource checked

Why this age? The mystery and betrayal themes are emotionally intense, with murder, threats, frightening situations, teen drinking, bullying, and romantic content. Suitable for mature teens rather than younger readers. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

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10-second decision

Is this likely to fit your family?

Age guidanceAges 14+
Strongest cautionsDeath of a character 4/5 · Frightening scenes 3/5 · Romance 3/5
Strongest positivesCourage & resilience 3/5 · Creativity & curiosity 2/5
Series positionBook 1 · The Lying Game
Recommendation2/5

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

The mystery and betrayal themes are emotionally intense, with murder, threats, frightening situations, teen drinking, bullying, and romantic content. Suitable for mature teens rather than younger readers. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ. Courage & resilience; strongest caution: death of a character.

Readiness snapshotAge guidance: 14+Main watch-out: Death of a character 4/5
Recommendation 2/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
15Scored categories
15Evidence notes
0Explicit 0/5 checks
Oct 31, 2026Last updated

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

How ratings workReport a rating or series issue
Review depth15 scored categories15 evidence notes
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Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age14+

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character4/5
  • Frightening scenes3/5
  • Romance3/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience3/5
  • Creativity & curiosity2/5
  • Positive messages2/5

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 2 · NEVER HAVE I EVERStrongest cautions: Frightening scenes 4/5 · Death of a character 3/5Open next review →
  1. Book 1 · LYING GAMEAges 14+
    Death of a character4/5Frightening scenes4/5Alcohol or drugs3/5Romance3/5Violence3/5Products & advertising2/5Sexual content & nudity2/5Strong language2/5Graphic injury1/5LGBTQIA characters1/5
    Starting point
  2. Book 1 · THE LYING GAMEAges 14+
    Death of a character4/5Frightening scenes3/5Romance3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Sexual content & nudity2/5Strong language2/5Violence2/5Graphic injury1/5Products & advertising1/5
    Gets gentler
  3. Book 2 · NEVER HAVE I EVERAges 14+
    Frightening scenes4/5Alcohol or drugs3/5Death of a character3/5Romance3/5Products & advertising2/5Sexual content & nudity2/5Strong language2/5Violence2/5Graphic injury1/5
    Gets more intense
  4. Book 3 · Two Truths and a Lie
    Frightening scenes4/5Death of a character3/5Romance3/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5LGBTQIA characters2/5Sexual content & nudity2/5Strong language2/5Graphic injury1/5Products & advertising1/5
    About the same
  5. Book 4 · Hide and Seek
    Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5LGBTQIA characters3/5Romance3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Strong language2/5Violence2/5Graphic injury1/5Products & advertising1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    Gets gentler
  6. Book 5 · Cross My Heart, Hope to Die
    Death of a character4/5Frightening scenes3/5Romance3/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Sexual content & nudity2/5Strong language2/5Graphic injury1/5LGBTQIA characters1/5Products & advertising1/5
    About the same
  7. Book 6 · Seven Minutes in Heaven
    Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5LGBTQIA characters3/5Romance3/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Products & advertising2/5Sexual content & nudity2/5Strong language2/5Graphic injury1/5
    Gets more intense

Keep going

What should you do next?

One review should lead naturally to the next useful choice.

Lower cautionsTry something gentlerLIGHTLARK SAGAOpen review →Similar fitCompare another titleTHE WAY I USED TO BECompare →Keep browsingSearch for another bookUse age, interests, vibe, or content preferences.Search →

Similar, with lighter cautions

Want something gentler?

These reviewed titles have overlapping age guidance and a lower total caution score than THE LYING GAME. Open each review for the details.

LIGHTLARK SAGAAlex AsterAges 14+2 points lighter on published cautionsBOOKThe SingingAlison Croggon · 2008Ages 13+1 points lighter on published cautions

What’s in it?

Products & advertising1/5
Why this rating?

Refers to high-fashion clothing and luxury brands typical of the characters' status.

Death of a character4/5
Why this rating?

The entire premise revolves around the murder of the protagonist's twin.

Graphic injury1/5
Why this rating?

Mention of the death, but details are not graphic or gratuitous.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Occasional mild profanity and frequent mean-spirited insults.

Romance3/5
Why this rating?

Features teenage dating and relationship drama.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

A threatening mystery, stalking-like danger, secrets, and an unknown killer create sustained tension. It is suspenseful rather than horror-focused.

Sexual content & nudity2/5
Why this rating?

Mild references to dating and teenage sexual tension.

Alcohol or drugs2/5
Why this rating?

Depicts underage drinking at parties common in the social setting.

Violence2/5
Why this rating?

Includes physical bullying and the investigation of a murder.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience3/5
Why this rating?

The protagonist shows bravery in navigating a dangerous situation.

Creativity & curiosity2/5
Why this rating?

Encourages interest in mystery-solving and deductive reasoning.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

Characters represent standard YA archetypes within a wealthy social setting.

Kindness & empathy1/5
Why this rating?

Kindness is rare in the high-stakes, manipulative social environment.

Positive messages2/5
Why this rating?

The story emphasizes honesty, consequences, loyalty, identity, and the harm caused by manipulation and secrets.

Good role models1/5
Why this rating?

Characters often exhibit questionable behavior and deception.

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 THE LYING GAME would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in THE LYING GAME, and what caused that change?
Discuss this title with other parents

Community perspective — separate from editorial ratings

What families noticed

Community signal

Community ratings and written reactions are a separate layer. They do not automatically change Dickens & Rumi’s official age guidance or content scores.

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THE WAY I USED TO BEAmber SmithAges 16+LIGHTLARK SAGAAlex AsterAges 14+ALL OF OUR DEMISEAmanda Foody and Christine Lynn HermanAges 14+ALL OF US VILLAINSAmanda Foody and Christine Lynn HermanAges 14+

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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