Abandon (2012) Parents Guide: Is the book OK for kids?

Romance is centralized but largely chaste or focused on tension. There are some intense kisses and physical proximity between Pierce and John Hayden, but no explicit sexual activity or graphic descriptions. Pierce often ruminates on John's brooding good looks and the magnetic pull she feels toward him, which frames their relationship as a classic paranormal romance. The tension is built through longing glances and protective gestures rather than physical acts. Some scenes involve John being in Pierce's bedroom or…

The book contains several scenes of peril, including a core plot point involving a near-drowning and a heart stopping. There are also depictions of bullying, a physical fight involving a crowbar, and the eerie, threatening nature of the Underworld and its spirits. The suspense is heightened by the presence of the Furies, who represent a constant, looming threat to Pierce's safety. One notable scene involves a character being attacked in a graveyard, and another depicts the terrifying sensation of being pulled…

Language is relatively mild for the YA genre. Readers will encounter occasional uses of 'hell,' 'damn,' 'shut up,' and 'sucks,' but no heavy derogatory terms or frequent expletives. The dialogue reflects standard teenage frustration, with characters occasionally expressing anger through mild name-calling or sharp rebukes. Some side characters, like Pierce's cousin Alex or the local bullies, use slightly more aggressive tones, but the vocabulary never crosses into R-rated territory. Parents should be aware that…

Very minor. There are brief mentions of characters drinking at parties, but substances do not play a major role in the narrative or the protagonist's journey. During scenes at Isla Huesos, it is implied that high school students engage in typical rebellious behaviors, including drinking beer at beach bonfires. There is a mention of a character being 'out of it' due to potential intoxication, but the protagonist herself does not participate. The focus remains strictly on the supernatural elements rather than drug…

Heavy focus on mortality, the afterlife, and grief. The protagonist deals with the trauma of a near-death experience, feelings of isolation, and the struggle of navigating a relationship with a powerful, potentially dangerous supernatural entity. The narrative frequently explores the emotional weight of death, specifically through Pierce’s memories of her heart stopping in her backyard pool. Issues of family conflict and parental divorce are present, as Pierce moves to Isla Huesos with her mother to start over…