The Fever King: Feverwake, Book 1

Noam identifies as bisexual, and his romance with Dara (a boy) and the future society's lack of stigma about sexuality are positive representations for the LGBTQ community.

Frequent disturbing, violent imagery from torture, genocide, suicide, shooting, murder by repeated stabbing, magical abilities causing death and injury. Blood's mentioned but not described in detail, except one gunshot to the head; mention of blood and brains on wall. Plot frequently mentions murder, assassination, violent overthrow of government. A video of sexual activity between an adult and a teen is vaguely described, raises issue of sexual abuse, which isn't explored in this first installment. A bird is tortured using magical abilities; bloody feathers, broken bones mentioned. Mention of torture using medications and capsaicin injections.

A same-sex romance involves emotional and physical feelings of attraction, kissing, and caressing. One instance of sex isn't directly narrated but kissing, undressing, and caressing are described in some detail, like feeling hardness through jeans. Oral sex is implied. Mention of condoms and lube in a bedside drawer.

"S--t," "d--k" (name-calling and body part), lots of variations of "f--k," "bitch," middle-finger gesture.

Teens, who seem to be of age in the future setting, drink whiskey, bourbon, tequila, vodka, and scotch, usually without consequences beyond a few hangover symptoms. A couple of teens' abuse of alcohol is mentioned but no one acts on it. A teen does a line of cocaine. Mention of using medications to torture. A few characters smoke cigarettes. One mention of an adult smoking a cigar.

Parents need to know that The Fever King is the first of two planned volumes in the Feverwake series. It's set in the near future and combines elements of science fiction, fantasy, and romance. Main character Noam, 16, a Jewish Latino refugee who identifies as bisexual; the central, same-sex romance and the lack of stigma in the future society make it a positive representation of a world without LGBTQ issues. Kissing, caressing, and feelings of attraction are described. An instance of having sex has some detail leading up to it, but the sex itself isn't directly described. Lots of disturbing, violent images from a plot that involves murder, suicide, genocide, torture, possible sexual abuse, assassinations, and violent government overthrow. Blood and brains spattered on a wall are mentioned once; otherwise, blood is mentioned but not described. Pain is sometimes described in detail. Lots of variations of "f--k." Other strong language is rarer but includes "d--k" and "s--t." Teens frequently drink alcohol, and a couple abuse it; consequences are infrequent and mild. Several characters smoke. Explores themes about a divided society, how we treat refugees, and whether it's OK to do something bad if it's for the greater good.