Inspired by content-rating systems such as the ESRB and MPA, we wanted to give readers an easier way to understand potentially sensitive or mature content before starting one of our novels. The Thundercloud AROUND Rating is our approach to doing that.

An AROUND Rating is not an age gate or target-audience label. Instead, it is meant to indicate around what age we believe the book’s content becomes generally suitable.

A 13+ novel, for example, may contain serious material such as Self-Injury, Mature Themes, or Death & Grief. These descriptors do not mean the material is presented at an adult level. The rating reflects both what appears in the story and how intensely or explicitly it is portrayed.

Content descriptors are also not intended to be a comprehensive list of everything that appears in the book. Each rating highlights up to four of the most significant content considerations that help explain the assigned AROUND Rating.