Sweet Nightmare: Calder Academy, Book 1

The main character is White, though there's racial diversity in the supporting characters, who are also gay, vampires, werewolves, manticore-shifters, witches, fae, etc. Other than a group of minor antagonists, friend groups are not determined by their paranormal status. Strong male and female characters in both positive and negative roles.

Characters are burned alive, drown, and die from massive blood loss, stabbings, and explosions. Violence in self-defense and one death as a result of self-defense. Gory attacks by nightmarish creatures that are grotesque amalgamations of spiders, snakes, squids, gremlins, and the like. Ghosts haunt characters, causing physical and emotional pain. Paranormals battle with one another, including torn wings, fang bites, talons ripping skin, and stingers embedding in eyes and other body parts. A massive storm causes injuries by shattered glass, hail, and forceful winds. There's bullying on multiple occasions, though some characters stand up for the victims. Throughout the story, the narrator exhibits a relatively matter-of-fact frame of mind that downplays the intensity of the violence.

The subplot revolves around the rekindling of a romance between characters. Plenty of longing looks, passionate kissing, and embracing. Numerous descriptions of the bare chest and hard muscles of the love interest. Sexual tension is heightened by how much one character obsesses over the other, wondering what his feelings are, why he doesn't want to be with her, how much she wants him. Characters embrace shirtless once, and although it's part of a magical healing, it's still sexually tense.

Frequent profanity, including variations of "f--k," "a--hole," "s--t," "d--k," "bastard," and "hell."

Brief mention of possible drug use by a couple of high school students.