Storm Cursed (2019) Parents Guide: Is the book OK for kids?

Mercy and her husband Adam share several intimate moments including kissing and sleeping in the same bed, but there is no explicit on-page sexual content. References are made to their bond as 'mates,' and there is occasional mild sexual innuendo in dialogue. The physical affection between the couple is portrayed as a source of strength and comfort throughout the narrative's high-stress events. There are brief mentions of past traumas or the predatory nature of some supernatural beings, but these are not depicted…

The violence is frequent and can be graphic. Characters face zombie animals, lethal goblins, and dark witches who use 'black' magic. Descriptions include gruesome deaths, dismemberment, and the use of necromancy to animate corpses. Mercy encounters horrific scenes of ritualistic slaughter that include sensory details like the smell of decay and the sight of flayed skin. Combat is visceral, involving claws, teeth, and high-powered weaponry that leaves characters bloodied and broken. The threat of the 'Storm' and…

Moderate use of profanity throughout, including 'shit,' 'hell,' 'damn,' and 'bastard,' though it does not reach the level of pervasive or extreme vulgarity. Characters often use these terms during moments of high adrenaline, combat, or extreme frustration with political bureaucracy. There are a few instances of more aggressive insults directed at antagonists, reflecting the gritty nature of the Tri-Cities' supernatural underworld. Compared to some other titles in the urban fantasy genre, the linguistic edge is…

Minor instances of social drinking occur. Some characters may use magical potions or substances that act similarly to drugs in terms of physical dependence or altered states. Specifically, characters are seen consuming beer or wine in social settings like the local bars or during quiet moments at home. There is a focus on the way certain magical influences can mimic the effects of intoxication or loss of control, particularly regarding the power of the witches. One character's addiction to power is treated with a…

The book explores heavy themes of responsibility, the cost of leadership, the nature of evil/corruption, and the bonds of family and pack loyalty amidst a brewing war. Mercy struggles with her role as a protector when faced with the absolute depravity of the Hardesty witches. The narrative also touches on the ethics of necromancy and the desecration of the dead, posing questions about what constitutes a soul. Political intrigue between the US government, the Fae, and the werewolves provides a backdrop of constant…