Nongraphic but mature sexual content and violence make it best for teens and up.Death wasn’t the end, it was only the beginning… But fans of historical fiction that skews a little to the dark side without sacrificing adventure, romance, and strong female characters will find the journey well worthwhile. If you haven't read the previous trilogy, it may take a little longer to immerse yourself in this world, and it may take some extra time to get to know the characters and some of their previous relationships. A marriage of political convenience brings the war between Brittany and France to an end, and teens will easily relate to narrators Sybella and Genevieve as they figure out how to stay true to their beliefs, their missions, and their sisterhood while learning who they are and what they're capable of. Courting Darkness still has fights and battles - and assassinations, of course - but it also ramps up the palace intrigue. The main characters are good role models for loyalty, bravery, and compassion.įans of Robin LaFevers' His Fair Assassin trilogy will enjoy this immersive return to Brittany in the 1400s as they follow familiar characters and meet new ones. Strong language is rare and includes 'merde' (French for 's-t') and 'damned.' Themes explored include how women were repressed, how pre-Christian religion was repressed and changed to Catholicism, and the power of love. Drinking wine is mentioned pretty frequently, sometimes to excess and usually with consequences described. Other sexual content includes briefly described kisses, mention that in the past, two women practiced having sex with each other, men who have mistresses living in their houses with their wives, confirming virginity after consummating marriage, and sexuality as a tool for spying or trading with men for something you want.

A couple of instances of having sex describe kissing and mention caressing breasts and nipples, thrusting, shouting, and grimacing.

Blood is mentioned as spurting, splattered, etc., without much other detail. Hand-to-hand fighting includes punching, kicking, choking, and snapping necks. The main characters are trained assassins, so violence from fights and battles use swords, knives, and crossbows. It's set in the same medieval French world as author Robin LaFevers' popular His Fair Assassin trilogy and shares some characters with that series. Parents need to know that Courting Darkness is the first in a planned two-volume historical novel with fantasy elements. Poisons and antidotes are used as part of the assassins' arsenal.ĭid you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide. Lots of mention of drinking wine, sometimes to excess with hangover or behavior consequences eventually described.

Courting darkness by robin lafevers