Publication Date: October 1st 2019
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Source: Review Copy from Publisher
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Blurb:
Aster. Violet. Tansy. Mallow. Clementine.
Sold as children. Branded by cursed markings. Trapped in a life they never would have chosen.
When Aster's sister Clementine accidentally murders a man, the girls risk a dangerous escape and harrowing journey to find freedom, justice, and revenge - in a country that wants them to have none of those things. Pursued by the land's most vicious and powerful forces - both living and dead - their only hope lies in a bedtime story passed from one girl to another, a story that only the youngest or most desperate would ever believe.
It's going to take more than luck for them all to survive.
Sold as children. Branded by cursed markings. Trapped in a life they never would have chosen.
When Aster's sister Clementine accidentally murders a man, the girls risk a dangerous escape and harrowing journey to find freedom, justice, and revenge - in a country that wants them to have none of those things. Pursued by the land's most vicious and powerful forces - both living and dead - their only hope lies in a bedtime story passed from one girl to another, a story that only the youngest or most desperate would ever believe.
It's going to take more than luck for them all to survive.
[* Trigger Warning*: rape, sexual abuse, PTSD, substance abuse, violence*]
This book completely took me by surprise. As a book sold to me as girl driven, western with slight paranormal aspects - I did not expect to be completely gripped and consumed by the novel within the first 50 pages. I honestly could not put this book down or stop thinking about it. This was so refreshing for me as I've been in such a reading slump lately.
The book centers around 5 girls - Violet, Aster, Tansy, Mallow and Clementine. The girls have grown up in a world where they are second class citizens, Dustbloods, as they are born without a shadow. Raised in extreme poverty, their parents sell them to a Welcome House out of desperation. Welcome Houses are brothels where girls are raised from children to be slaves until they turn 16 where they are then sold sexually to men who come to the welcome house.
After Clementine accidentally kills a man, her older sister Aster must try to save her from the punishment. All 5 girls manage to escape and are then on the run from the consequence of killing a wealthy man.
The book was extremely well written. From the world building, the plot pacing and the characters themselves- were all so vivid and vibrant. I loved the western style world setting, which surprised me as I didn't think I would.
My favourite part of the novel was definitely the characters. They were amazing. Each character was so well written and unique. The way their relationship changed over the course of the novel and they became closer and moved from a team to a family was just so beautiful.
Aster's protectiveness for her sister was so palatable in the novel. Aster also has a lot of internal anger towards her parents selling her and her sister into that life, at the men who abused her and at the un-justness of the world in general. I could feel myself being so drawn to her and her character arc she goes on over the course of the novel was amazingly written. I also thought Davis's portrayal of PTSD was so well written.
Violet was also another favourite. She was raised in the welcome house but by the "head" of the house so in somewhat more luxury than the others. She starts off as a mean, prissy, selfish character and then goes over this beautiful personal journey over the course of the novel. I loved her growing friendship with Aster over the course of the novel.
Clementine was such a cute character. As Aster's younger sister, she is very protected and therefore so very optimistic and positive. Her outlook on life and always seeing the bright side was refreshing.
Mallow and Tansy were also a fave but there weren't featured enough in this book- I want to read from their POV so bad and about their forbidden relationship. There is also a scene where Mallow references that she binds her chest, so I would have loved to hear more about that - is she trans or does she just enjoy making herself more flat chested and anti-feminine as a result of the abuse they suffered?
The plot was so extremely gripping, I would honestly be looking forward to my lunch break just so I could read this book! I can not recommend this book enough- feminist, girl gang, western and action-packed slight paranormal aspects. What more could you want?
I am so excited to read the next book in the series and it is probably my most anticipated release for 2020!
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