I listened to the audiobook and I really enjoyed this audiobook. It’s narrated by Amelia Hugh, who has become one of my favorite narrators. I was hooked on this story from start to finish.
This book is a young adult fantasy with a little bit of magic and a touch of romance. Nineteen year old Vala was born with charred skin that looks like ash. Nobody can touch her skin because they burn themselves if they do. The charred skin builds up and once a week she has to soak in water to slough it off, which she calls “cleansing”. Cleansing her skin in water is excruciating, and it leaves her feeling raw until it grows back. Nobody else on the island is like her, and she has no idea where she came from. She was adopted as a baby by a kind woman, who has since passed away.
Vala is the main guard to the crowned prince. She is skilled in combat and scary looking enough that she’s the perfect person to protect him. She and the price grew up together, and she has devoted most of her life to him. But her position as a commoner guard, and her mysterious condition, make it so they can never be more than friends.
Vala’s skills as the prince’s guard are tested when assassins arrive to prevent him from being able to marry the high Princess. As she is rescuing the prince from one, she realizes the man is not like the rest. His skin is charred like hers. As Vala seeks this man out again, she ends up with more questions than answers about what she is and where she came from. She also realizes too late that it isn’t just the prince in danger, and now she must fight to save herself as well.
There were moment where this book had me on the edge of my seat! I found it very entertaining and I’m excited that the other two books in the series were also narrated by this narrator, I will be listening to the second book very soon. Great job to the author and the narrator!