Poison

Realistic hand-to-hand combat is described in detail. Kyra uses poison-tipped darts against her foes, although the poison only puts people to sleep for a short time. Her pet pig, Rosie, suffers "bloody puncture holes where the dog's teeth had sunk into her belly." Kyra is asked by her king to mix and administer a potentially lethal potion for prisoner interrogation. There are goblins, witches, and all manner of scary fantasy creatures.

Sixteen-year-old Kyra flirts and exchanges a few kisses with Fred, the object of her affection. Male and female teenagers live together as housemates; 16 appears to be the age of majority in this realm, and people marry at this age. Kyra's nudity under wet underclothes is mentioned but not described in detail. There's an implication of Kyra as a sex object when a bad guy looks at her body and asks what she can offer in return for a favor, but the issue isn't pursued further, and Kyra responds as though unaware of the implication. Male gender stereotypes are perpetuated when Fred tries to teach Kyra and the princess how pass as men.

Reference to a "pompous arse" character who doesn't appear in the story.

Kyra drinks mead once. Otherwise, 16-year-olds and adults are occasionally depicted drinking beer in pubs or at celebrations. Sixteen appears to be the age of majority in this realm.

Parents need to know that the scary world in Poison -- roughly equivalent to the Middle Ages -- is inhabited by witches, goblins, and many other fantastical creatures. Some scariness is akin to that in fairy tales, as when a witch threatens to eat Kyra and Fred. Other times it's psychological, as when Kyra's asked to assist with prisoner interrogation. Hand-to-hand combat is described in detail, as are serious injuries. The heroine chooses to operate outside the law in order to save the kingdom, but her choice isn't glorified. Blossoming romance is flirtatious, and physical responses are mentioned but not described in detail; there are two full kisses on the lips. A note on the back flap informs readers that, sadly, first-time author Bridget Zinn died before the book's publication.