Even though Red Sparkle Stone is a foundling orphan with an odd name and a veiled past, she's about to be adopted into the royal family—by Empress Elisa herself. Sixteen-year-old Red can hardly believe her luck. Then, in a stunning political masterstroke, the empress's greatest rival blocks the adoption, and Red is left with no family and no future.
Grieving and lost, but determined to find her place, Red hatches a daring plan: she will prove herself as a recruit for the world's most elite fighting force, the legendary Royal Guard—something no woman has done before. But it's no coincidence that someone wanted her to fail as a princess, someone whose shadowy agenda puts everything she loves at risk. As danger closes in, it will be up to Red and her new friends—and maybe some new enemies—to save the empire. If they can survive recruitment year.
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Rating: 4 Stars
My Review: I loved that we got an update about the main characters in the first three books but I wish that we would have gotten more of them. This one although very convenient with parts of the story. It was still so good. I loved the new characters and the ending was well done. I kind of think this could have just been a novella. And that it was basically just done for the fans. Which we appreciate!!
“Carson returns to her Girl of Fire and Thorns world. . . . This novel develops a taut, self-contained, political mystery within the confined quarters of the Guard and the palace, with a few chapters set in the past showing Red's harrowing, traumatic history. . . . A rewarding stand-alone novel with effortless plotting and deft characterizations.” — Kirkus Reviews
"Rousing . . . Red’s a strong, forthright, and feisty young woman . . . An exciting, satisfying read that will appeal to lovers of The Girl of Fire and Thorns." — School Library Journal
“Carson creates a worthy and sympathetic hero in Red . . . Action, adventure, betrayal, and poison add up to a winner of a companion novel to be read alongside or after the [Girl of Fire and Thorns] series.” — Booklist
“Set in the world of The Girl of Fire and Thorns, this engrossing fantasy follows two threads about protagonist Red. . . . Carson gives appropriate attention to the awkward moments encountered by the first female recruit in an elite fighting squad, but Red earns her place with talents and choices that will resonate with readers no matter their gender.” — Horn Book Magazine
“Red is a realistically complex heroine, and her journey to belonging and healing feels genuinely depicted. . . . Rendered with nuance and care.” — Publishers Weekly
"Fans will rejoice. . . . Carson effortlessly brings readers into her familiar, already well-developed world and its mangled politics, imparting a Tamora Pierce-esque flair to Red’s journey as she overcomes the obstacles that come with being an outsider." — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
About the Author
Rae Carson is the author of two bestselling and award-winning trilogies, as well as the acclaimed stand-alone novels Any Sign of Life and The Empire of Dreams. Her debut, The Girl of Fire and Thorns, was named a William C. Morris Award finalist and an Andre Norton Award finalist. Walk on Earth a Stranger was longlisted for the 2015 National Book Award and won the Western Writers of America Spur Award. Her books tend to contain adventure, magic, and smart girls who make (mostly) smart choices. Originally from California, Rae Carson now lives in Ohio with her husband. www.raecarson.com
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