Dreaming the Bull question

I'm a bit concerned as I see many reviews mentioning torture. Is this something that we will be warned about? I'd prefer to ffw the audiobook through those scenes. Also, I don't understand why the author had to make Ban go through this descent into someone who is totally unrecognizable from Dreaming the Eagle. It's honestly turning me off from the series just a bit. Anyone else feel this way? Should I push through?