I’m so glad I won this book because I never really read fantasy books, but if I hadn’t won I would have missed out on a great book!
The story follows Aster and her little sister Clem, who live in a fictional place called The Scab. They were sold as children by their parents to a ‘welcome house’ for being tainted by their family’s criminal past. In this welcome house, they work as maids until they are 16, then they become ‘sundown girls’ and are sold to men - referred to as ‘brags’. They are branded by a mark on their skin which burns if they dare to cover it or hide their identity in any way. On Clementines ‘lucky night’, she kills her brag which sets Aster, Clem and their friends on a dangerous journey across the Scab in search of a better life. They encounter many magical dangers along the way like raveners, who mentally inflict pain on their victims and spirits who physically hurt people. I would totally recommend this book - such a great read!
The story follows Aster and her little sister Clem, who live in a fictional place called The Scab. They were sold as children by their parents to a ‘welcome house’ for being tainted by their family’s criminal past. In this welcome house, they work as maids until they are 16, then they become ‘sundown girls’ and are sold to men - referred to as ‘brags’. They are branded by a mark on their skin which burns if they dare to cover it or hide their identity in any way. On Clementines ‘lucky night’, she kills her brag which sets Aster, Clem and their friends on a dangerous journey across the Scab in search of a better life. They encounter many magical dangers along the way like raveners, who mentally inflict pain on their victims and spirits who physically hurt people. I would totally recommend this book - such a great read!