A spellbinding story of friendship and survival, magic and wonder, beauty and terror

Maresi came to the Red Abbey in the Hunger Winter. Before then, she had only heard rumours of its existence. In a world where girls aren't allowed to learn or do as they please, an island inhabited solely by women sounded like a fantasy. But now Maresi is here, and she knows it is real.

Then one day Jai—tangled fair hair, clothes stiff with dirt, scars on her back—arrives on a ship. She has fled to the island to escape terrible danger and unimaginable cruelty. And the men who hurt her will stop at nothing to find her.