Tag Archives: Classism

This page lists books that contain trigger warnings for the depiction of classism (the discrimination and prejudice against people due to their social class, socioeconomic background, career, or wealth).

Noelle at Sea by Nikki Shannon Smith

Thirteen-year-old Noelle feels like the luckiest girl in the world to be cruising the Atlantic aboard the famed Titanic. The trip is made even better by her new friend, Pauline, a girl who is traveling with her father to live in America. The girls spend the first days of the journey exploring, but on the fifth night, Noelle awakes to a sinking ship. Women and children will be rescued first, and Noelle realizes motherless Pauline will be left all alone. Despite her parents’ wishes, Noelle breaks away from her family to find and help her friend.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Period-typical racism & classism
  • Titanic tragedy (theme)

The Falconer by Elizabeth May

In Edinburgh, a secret war rages between humans and fae, and the magic in Aileana Kameron’s blood is all that keeps the most lethal monsters imprisoned beneath the city. But when the creatures she once pursued now hunt her, Aileana has no choice but to ally with Kiaran MacKay – the beautiful fae assassin with his own agenda. The chemistry between them is as incendiary as the battles raging through the streets. And as the body count climbs, Aileana faces a choice: how much is she willing to sacrifice to save her city? Her friends? Herself? Because the fae won’t stop until… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Period-typical misogyny & classism
  • Parental neglect
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Blood & gore depiction
  • Near-fatal bout of pneumonia recounted
  • Grief & loss depiction
  • Death of a mother recounted (detailed)
  • Death of a wife
  • Murder & physical assault
  • Sword violence & stabbing
  • Loss of autonomy (compulsion magic)
  • Battle scenes

Blood in the Water by Tiffany D. Jackson

Kaylani is a born-and-bred Brooklyn girl. She expects to feel like a fish out of water spending the hot and sticky summer on Martha’s Vineyard with family friends, the Watsons. But her mother insists, especially since Kaylani still spends long hours on the phone with her imprisoned father. The Watsons live in the town of Oak Bluffs, a place with a rich Black history that fascinates Kaylani. Though the Watsons’ daughter, London, is snobby and unfriendly, Kaylani ends up connecting with some other kids in the town, who show… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Classism
  • Emesis
  • Blood depiction
  • Grief & loss depiction
  • Death of a child
  • Murder
  • Imprisonment
  • Bullying

The Wrong Bridesmaid by Lauren Landish

Wyatt Ford hightailed it out of Cold Springs to get away from his influential family and the unwanted privilege that came with it. Returning for his brother’s wedding dredges up every reason he left. One unexpected bright spot: a curvy knockout who slings burgers, hustles pool…and hates the last name Ford. Hazel Sullivan is fiercely independent and happy to be maid of honor for her best friend’s wedding, but she isn’t looking for romance. Especially not with a man whose family is dividing her town into a battleground with their development plans. Fighting the family… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Classism
  • Parent with alcoholism

A Righteous Man by Tochi Onyebuchi

Nathaniel is a well-intentioned, if naive, British cleric feeling blessed to educate a West African village about the benevolent power of God. But as slavers encroach, Nathaniel’s endeavor is daunted by the realities unfolding on the beautiful homeland of his congregation. It seems the Devil has power too. What follows for Nathaniel is a profound spiritual upheaval as he questions his purpose and even his humanity.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Slavery
  • Racism & classism
  • Hate crime
  • Rape
  • Miscarriage
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Blood & injury depiction
  • Mass shooting
  • Kidnapping
  • Colonisation
  • Animal death & cruelty

The Wicked Betrayal by Marion Blackwood

After the events surrounding the Dagger of Orias, Kenna believes that her circumstances could not possibly get any worse. But fortune is a cruel mistress. Unexpected betrayal throws her life into turmoil, and while she is still trying to recover from the shock, she also has to somehow come up with a plan to save her life. The idea is simple. And dangerous beyond belief. In order to get out of the desperate situation she has ended up in, Kenna is going to take on Mordren Darkbringer. But the Prince of Shadows is… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Classism
  • Slut-shaming & victim-blaming
  • Parental abandonment & neglect
  • Depression & suicidal ideation
  • Alcohol consumption & drugging
  • Gambling
  • Blood & injury depiction, including dead bodies
  • Death of a parent mentioned
  • Attempted kidnapping & captivity
  • Murder & attempted murder
  • Strangulation
  • Poisoning
  • Home invasion
  • Blackmail
  • Building collapse
  • Fire
  • Conscription
  • Homelessness

The Traitor Spy by Marion Blackwood

The elven Court of Stone has many spies, and Kenna is one of its most prized ones. Being a half-elf, she is skilled, dangerous, and beautiful. She’s also a traitor. Desperately yearning for freedom, she blackmails people for ransom behind the back of the elven prince who holds her leash. But one day, she takes it too far. When she accidentally goes after someone from a neighboring court, she is cornered by its prince. The feared Prince of Shadows gives her an ultimatum: spy for him on her own court or her master will learn of her illegal activities. At the same time, a… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Classism & slut-shaming
  • Indentured servitude
  • Estrangement
  • Alcohol consumption & gambling
  • Blood & injury depiction, including dead bodies
  • Death of a parent mentioned
  • Murder & attempted murder, including attempted regicide
  • Knife violence
  • Strangulation
  • Physical assault (mugging)
  • Captivity & confinement
  • Home invasion
  • Hostage situation
  • Blackmail
  • Conscription
  • Poverty themes

Ruthless Villains by Marion Blackwood

In a world where magic is distributed equally, there are some people who refuse to share their power. Dark mages. Lethal. Selfish. And utterly without morals. Audrey Sable is one of them. As a poison mage, she can bring men to their knees with a flick of her wrist. But the man she really wants to kill will not go down so easily. Callan Blackwell is also a powerful dark mage, and he would like nothing better than to see Audrey beg for mercy at his feet. But their hatred for one another will have to wait. When the heroic champions of equality prepare to launch an attack that will wipe… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Classism & persecution for witchcraft
  • Intimate partner abuse & violence
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Blood & injury depiction, including decapitation, dismemberment, loss of limb & mutilation
  • Torture
  • Knife violence
  • Strangulation
  • Poisoning
  • Physical assault (beating)
  • Home invasion
  • Kidnapping & hostage situation
  • Imprisonment
  • Blackmail

Empire of Flame and Thorns by Marion Blackwood

Trapped in the Seelie Court by a forest of thorns, Selena Hale lives at the mercy of the dragon shifters. Her only chance to gain her freedom is by entering the Atonement Trials: a deadly competition that pits fae magic users against each other. Only three people can win, and Selena intends to be one of them. There is only one problem. Draven Ryat, the ruthless commander of the dragon shifter army, is determined to make her lose. He symbolizes everything that she hates, and if he finds out that she is also a member of the secret fae rebellion. He symbolizes everything that she hates, and if he finds out that she is also a member Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Classism
  • Slavery & indentured servitude
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Blood & injury depiction, including medical treatment, scars, dead bodies, decapitation, & burns
  • Captivity & confinement
  • Murder & attempted murder
  • Torture
  • Knife & sword violence
  • Physical assault
  • Fire
  • Poisoning
  • Loss of autonomy (mind control)
  • Military service & violence mentioned
  • Bullying

Flip by Ngozi Ukazu

Chi-Chi Ekeh has one huge problem: She keeps having crushes on rich white boys who have no idea she exists. Enter Flip Henderson, the most popular boy at school, who receives Chi-Chi’s private video proposal to go to senior prom. But when Flip rejects Chi-Chi in front of their entire class, what happens next is completely unexpected: Chi-Chi―shy nerd and scholarship student―switches bodies with Flip. Suddenly Chi-Chi is 6’1” and cool, while Flip gets a crash course on Chi-Chi’s life―that is, k-pop, hair-braiding, and being a poor kid of color at a rich white private school. With… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Racism & classism
  • Depression
  • Suicidal ideation
  • Alcoholism & alcohol consumption
  • Incarceration