Raging Star: Dust Lands, Book 3

Despite Saba's big push for nonviolence, there are still a few sad deaths by gunshot, some fistfights, an arrow wound stitched up beside a campfire, an exploded bridge with causalities, a beaten boy, a miscarriage, and babies born weak who are left out overnight to die. There's plenty of talk about past losses -- Saba has visions of her dead mother, and Jack thinks back to his baby who died of fever. Also, there's talk of slaves beaten, a girl taking her own life when her baby is taken and killed, forced marriage, people dying in prisons, and people branded.

Saba and Jack sleep together, although it's not described. Other minor characters sleep together, too, but there's only talk of kissing and going off into the woods. Saba recalls with shame sleeping with another character earlier in the series.

Mostly versions of "damn," "gawdamn," and "hell." A few each of "sonofabitch," "ass," and "bulls--t." A character carries a big "W" brand on her forehead, standing for "whore."

Characters 18 and up drink wine and homemade brew, especially around the campfire. One character smokes a pipe. Talk of one husband being a heavy drinker.

Parents need to know that Moira Young's Raging Star is the final book in the postapocalyptic Dust Lands trilogy. Despite the main character's push to topple an oppressive society without violence, there are still some sad deaths by guns, some fistfights, an exploded bridge with casualties, and babies born weak who are left outside to die. The sexual content is similar to that in Book 2, Rebel Heart. The 18-year-old main character has sex, but it's not described. Language gets as strong as "sonofabitch" and "bulls--t," but rarely. Characters 18 and over drink wine and strong homemade brews around a campfire, and one man smokes a pipe. Saba's quest for nonviolent opposition is met with resistance, but she's determined. She's a flawed hero character of the best kind: She follows her instincts and overcomes self-doubt to be a true leader.