AGE RATING AND TRIGGER WARNINGS FOR THE COUNTING HOUSE BY MARIA BLACKMORE

Age Rating

Mature themes and content and some strong language make The Counting House recommended for older teen and adult readers, 16+

Violence & Gore 

• Graphic combat violence. 

• Murder of named and unnamed characters  

• Descriptions of torn bodies and mutilation. 

• Description of burning people alive. 

• Torture. 

• Character imprisoned in dungeon, physically restrained. 

• Scenes involving bleeding, severe injury, arterial wounds, blood transfusion. 

• Threats of sexualised violence. 

• Suicidal ideation. 

• Genocide references. 

• Sexual Violence / Coercion 

• Longterm sexual coercion / rape (mentioned/overheard, not on page). 

• References to grooming and blackmail around sexual acts. 

• Past sexual coercion / abuse of slaves and servants implied. 

• Scenes of unwanted physical intimacy. 

• Magical mind/body control – Compulsion. 

Abuse of Power 

• Political corruption. 

• Abuse of position by community/political figures. 

• Oppression of enslaved people (Gaelisch). 

• Themes and acts of prejudice – including racism, xenophobia (systemic oppression between fae, elves, humans), homophobia, and sexism. 

Other Potentially Triggering Topics 

• Death of a key beloved parent. 

• Grief and survivor’s guilt. 

• Captivity and helplessness. 

• Mind control / magical Compulsion, loss of agency. 

• Discussions of forced pregnancy / risk of pregnancy after sexual coercion. 

• Discussion of fertility.