The Twelve Kingdoms Content Guide
Unsure if The Twelve Kingdoms is the right book for you?
I've been there. In fact, that feeling is the reason why I've assembled this content guide: to help ensure my book meets the right readers. Read on to find an organized list of content ratings. (NOTE: dropdown menus contain mild, out-of-context spoilers.)
Violence - High
Characters endure arrow wounds, sword and dagger wounds, and brief magical torture. They are repeatedly attacked by soulless, zombie-like monsters prone to mauling with their claws and teeth. There is a brief scene of ritualistic human sacrifice in which a character's heart is torn from their chest. Powerful magic is described as it rips through or incinerates beings and bodies are described on numerous occasions in various stages of mutilation. One scene involves an arena battle to the death against a chimera.
Sexual Content - Very Low
Characters pursue relationships, but nothing goes farther than a brief kiss.
Language - Very Low
No real-world curse words are used. However, fantasy curses (rack, biaht, sult, etc.) are used frequently.
Drugs and Alcohol - Low
Characters frequently drink ale, and there are references to them as having been drunk in the past. One character is shown having a stash of alcohol hidden in the ceiling, while another adds alcohol to a cup of hot chocolate. At one point, characters have dealings with a drug dealer. It is implied the characters in a speakeasy indulge in drugs; however, no details are provided.