Many Christians parents are cautious when it comes to heavy “magical” content for their children. This is a story that has heavy plot elements around this type of thing. While it does a good job of feeling “this-worldly”, there is no denying there is quite a bit here. The story includes magic, fairies, words uttered similar to spells, ‘gods’ and ‘goddesses’, demigods, cyclops. The story makes references to characters in the “winter kingdom”, such as vampires, goblins, witches, banshees. There is a class called “swords and sorcery”. A book title reads “Magical Tools and Talismans”. There is a wide variety of abilities represented at the school, such as telepathy/telekinesis, shapeshifting, controlling elements, etc. In a class focused on potions, the teacher tells them that only witches can infuse potions with magic (pointing out that they only exist in the land of winter). The eventually revealed bad guy is said to be existing as an evil spirit within an object.
Kelcie is not a bad character, but she is certainly not a role model. In frustration remarks she “wanted to blow her head off”. She refers to a set of kids as “snooty prep school kids”. She has moments of negativity throughout (“of course not, why would anything good ever happen to me?”). When dealing with a very challenging girl, she says, “Sometimes I really hate her”.
There are a handful of more perilous/intense moments to be aware of. At the start of the book, before anything magical above has been revealed Kelcie is basically kidnapped by someone she trusted as an authority figure. Later she reads of a battle where a squadron of fighters are caught in a net and fall into the water before the water is frozen over by an enemy (ends by saying they were “all lost”). She hears a voice saying “They will all die by your hand”. A bad guy is said to be preparing to “carve Kelcie into thinly sliced steaks”. Another says they will take their “time killing you”. A cyclops is said to have had his head severed off.
Here are a few statements that are a bit out of character with the majority of the book, but good for Christian parents to be aware of when considering the book for their reader:
Other items to know about:
The following terms/phrases are made: “pissing herself”, “In the name of the gods”, hellbent, wicked (used as a form of ‘cool’), diabolical (used to describe a laugh), “screwed us all”, hellish, “game show from hell”, shut-up, idiots.
The term “holy” is used in a flippant way.
There is a reference to the universe telling you something.
Someone tells a character partially in panther form “nice tail”. .
Two twins correspond with each other saying, “I hate you” followed by “I hate you more!”.
There are quite a few references to luck, being lucky, wishing, etc.
We overhear a kid talking about getting caught sneaking out.
Pirates, trick-or-treating and halloween are referenced in a positive light.
The following unfortunate comments are made, “They’re like siblings. One day you hate them, the next day they’re best friends”, dad “said something useful for once” and “since when did you rely on adults for things?”.
An unpopular group is referred to as “demons” throughout (used as an insult).
The term hate is used several times, such as “I hate you too”.
A girl with two different colored eyes is said to look “possessed”.
A character references “true meditation zen”.
A reference is made to a Tree of Life, but, confusingly for young Christian readers, it is not the real one referenced in the Scriptures.
There is a crush between Kelcie and a boy she meets. It comes up several times, but nothing romantic occurs.
Kelcie is told that only male characters of a certain type get horns, to which she wants to complain that this is sexist.
A male character shown in passing has a mohawk and is said to be wearing eyeliner. No other context is given.