The Heart of Betrayal: The Remnant Chronicles, Book 2

A few disturbing murders: A child is run through with a sword before her killer suffers likewise, a man is decapitated in the street, and three boy soldiers who deserted are decapitated, their heads set on posts to rot as an example to others. A skirmish leads to a handful of deaths by sword and arrow with some injured by arrows. A young thief loses a finger in punishment, and a woman loses her whole hand -- we see both characters after the fact. A horse is exploded on purpose as a demonstration. Lia is coerced into kisses in front of many male onlookers and feels sexually powerless to avoid threats of worse. A handful of stories show how certain characters got to be ruthless killers, involving child abuse, the murder of one's own father, and the killing of a lover by a father resulting in a revenge killing by another.

Besides coerced kisses, there are romantic kisses with some groping. Bawdy talk of how the main character, as a prisoner, earned extra privileges by sleeping with a man -- though she didn't. Mentions of men who frequent brothels and the place where the head of the government had affairs with women.

"Bitch" three times and "ass," "damn," and "bastard" about the same.

There's plenty of ale and wine drinking among all ages at every nightly meal with the local government, including some mention of drunkenness and drunken behavior.

Parents need to know that The Heart of Betrayal is the second book in Mary E. Pearson's Remnant Chronicles, aimed at mature teen romantic fantasy fans. The main character, Lia, is held captive by a hostile kingdom where life is harsh and violent. Expect a few disturbing murders: A child is run through with a sword before her killer suffers likewise, a man is decapitated in the street, and three boy soldiers who deserted are decapitated, their heads set on posts to rot as an example to others. Skirmishes lead to more deaths and injuries by sword and arrow. Lia is coerced into kisses in front of many male onlookers and finds herself feeling sexually powerless to avoid threats of worse. There are a few romantic kisses, too, with some groping. A few scenes are heavy on innuendo about male exploits, and many scenes are filled with all-age drinking in a large government dining hall. Lia is an admirable character; she's strong despite her position as prisoner and pawn and concerned about protecting those she loves over her own freedom and safety. She also comes to admire a people she previously called barbarians and shows compassion for them.