CONTEXT AND CONTENT WARNINGS:

THE DEMON STAR is an adult science fantasy novel. In style and content, it’s closer to epic fantasy than science fiction.

I wrote this for an adult audience. It's dual POV, characters aged 29 and 32. These characters are intentionally written as morally ambiguous. I do not personally agree with all their actions/opinions/beliefs. See CWs (with very mild spoilers) below.

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The book contains graphic violence, gore, and strong horror elements. There are detailed on-page depictions of human experimentation, torture, cannibalism, child death, and animal death.

The story takes place in a repressive theocratic society, and deals extensively with the implications of that--namely, indoctrination, abuse, cultural erasure/forced assimilation, and depression with a heavy existential component. The narrative as a whole is meant to neither condemn nor endorse religion as a concept.

One POV character deals with severe mental illness, self harm, and alcoholism. Suicide is discussed, with one brief on-page depiction.

A major character, who is a child, struggles with internalized ableism. He is the target of ableist language throughout the novel, including on-page emotional abuse by a parent.

The use of SFF elements like telepathy and possession may prove triggering for readers sensitive to issues of bodily autonomy and consent. Sexual abuse is referenced, but not depicted on-page. One POV character's backstory involves teenage pregnancy and childbirth, as a result of a relationship with a significant power imbalance.

Both POV characters are queer, as are many supporting characters. This is considered normal in TDS's setting. None of the abuse depicted is rooted in homophobia, transphobia, or misogyny.

While the book does include a romantic subplot, this is not a primary focus. There is mild, brief on-page sexual content.

There are a LOT of insects, worms, and spiders in this book.