Content Guide

Have you ever picked up a book and read 60% of it only to then be slammed with content that made you uncomfortable or clashed with your worldview? Have you ever had that happen to your kids when they were reading a book? I understand, and it stinks. Big time.

We live in a crazy world, and I don’t particularly enjoy diving into a book completely blind. So if you’re a parent or you would just like to read a “parent’s guide” of sorts for my book, Jade Torch: The Killing Thought, check below for a comprehensive content guide.

The below content guide can be thought of as a sort of “parent’s guide” similar to the kind provided for movies on IMDb or Pluggedin. Therefore, understand that while every detail included below may not be a direct spoiler, many will be. If you do not wish for the book to be spoiled for you, you may not want to continue reading this content guide.

Drugs and Alcohol

  • In chapters 15, a character is referenced as having had his better judgment compromised after the consumption of too much wine. However, this is presented in a negative light and does not encourage drunkenness. 
  • There is no drug consumption.

Fantasy Magic

  • This fantasy series does include elements of magic. However, in this book, there are primarily two kinds: dark/shadow magic and magic gifted by the Creator. 
  • One key element of the book is a magical flame that was given by the Creator, Bara, to the dragons. It has the property to amplify/nourish peace but not create it.
  • In chapter 32, a character is killed after being stabbed by a sword while he was restrained by shadow magic.
  • In chapter 36, a dragon character is killed when an evil witch uses shadow magic to drag the dragon off a cliff while keeping the dragon’s wings pinned so she cannot fly.
  • A magic is described that would spread and kill thousands of people (spreading almost like a computer virus).

Violence

  • If this book were a movie, it would probably be rated PG-13 for fantasy violence. (Think books like Eragon and Gregor the Overlander and movies like Lord of the Rings or Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.)
  • Chapter 1 takes place in a gladiator arena during a rescue mission. Multiple background characters are killed by main characters or other background characters. A throat is sliced. A dragon lands on a bad guy, crushing him and leaving the sand around him blood-splattered. A dragon spits fire at some men, engulfing them in flame and presumably killing them. 
  • In chapter 10, there is an ambush, and bad guys are killed. One man is stabbed, and another is described as having blood gush from a wound to his leg. 
  • In chapter 13, there is an assassination attempt involving an explosion and a dart. 
  • In chapter 18, a character throws a knife into the back of and kills a man who is about to sneak up on and kill one of her allies.
  • In chapter 30, another explosion is described as having killed the inhabitants of an inn, including a character who appeared in a previous chapter. That same explosion wounded a small dragon, and his burns are described before being treated.
  • In chapter 31, a character strikes a man’s throat so he can’t scream before hitting him on the side of the head and knocking him unconscious. This same technique is used again in chapter 35.
  • In chapter 32, a character is killed after being stabbed by a sword while he was restrained by shadow magic.
  • In chapter 36, a dragon character chomps down on an enemy soldier, crushing him. Blood is described as dripping from her fangs. The same dragon is then killed when an evil witch uses shadow magic to drag the dragon off a cliff while keeping its wings pinned so she cannot fly. In this same chapter, a woman is wounded with an arrow.
  • There are various sword fights and skirmishes throughout the climax. And a large portion of chapter 37 is fighting with some descriptions of blood and wounds. 
  • ****MAJOR SPOILER WARNING**** In chapter 38, a fourteen year old kills her thirteen year old cousin with a throwing knife in order to stop her from killing a lot of people. This takes a great mental toll. 

Morbidity/Scary imagery

  • In chapter 39, a dead character is dug up from a shallow grave so that he can be properly buried according to the customs of his culture. Another character is distraught at the sight of him.

Sexual/Romantic Content

  • In chapter 15, a man eyes a young woman with a “hungry glimmer in his eye.” However, this is portrayed in a negative light, and the woman is asked to dance by a different young man in order to give her an escape from the situation. 

Other Content

  • On a couple of occasions, characters lie or bend the truth.