When seventeen-year-old Violet Sterling returns to Burleigh House after years in exile, Burleigh's magic is tormented, ravaging the countryside, and she must strive to save her house before it destroys her. Violet Sterling has spent the last seven years in exile, longing to return to Burleigh House. One of the six great houses of England, Burleigh's magic kept both the countryside and Violet happy-- until her father's treason destroyed everything. But when she returns, Burleigh isn't what she remembered. Wild with grief, its very soul crying out in pain, Burleigh Houses's tormented magic ravages the countryside. How far will Vi go to save her house-- before it destroys everything she has ever known? -- adapted from jacket
Severity reflects intensity, not value — “central theme” means a warning is a core part of the book, not that the book is bad.