Author: Victoria Aveyard
Series: Red Queen #.2
Published: January 5, 2016
Genre: YA High Fantasy
Format: Kindle
Source: Purchased
Farley was raised to be strong, but being tasked with planting the seeds of rebellion in Norta is a tougher job than expected. As she travels the land recruiting black market traders, smugglers, and extremists for her first attempt at an attack on the capital, she stumbles upon a connection that may prove to be the key to the entire operation—Mare Barrow.
Instead of being told from Mare Barrow’s perspective, Steel Scars is told from the perspective of Farley (code name: Lamb), a Captain in the Scarlet Guard, which is fighting for equality for Reds.
In Steel Scars, the Scarlet Guard wants to extend its revolution from Lakeland into Norta. The story goes back and forth between Farley’s first-person POV and coded messages being passed between Farley and the Scarlet Guard as she sets up a web of contacts in Norta.
As she’s planting the seeds of the rebellion, she meets a potential recruit to the cause: none other than Shade Barrow (Mare’s older brother). Farley is frustrated when her request to have him initiated in to the Scarlet Guard is denied and she’s ordered to move on from her current location.
We also get some glimpses into Farley’s personal life, including her complicated relationship with her father — Colonel Farley (code name: Ram) — as she decides to go against her orders and stays where she is, obtaining more information from Shade.
However, Farley’s instincts prove to be good. After Farley allows Shade to take the Scarlet Guard oath, together they discover a connection that may prove to be the key to the entire operation: Mare Barrow.
This novella was a great read, and I really enjoyed the background on the Scarlet Guard and Farley’s life. I give Steel Scars four out of five stars, and I’m really looking forward to the release of Glass Sword next month!
This so interesting!!! I have read Glass Sword before the release of the novela and I must admit, I love Farley and Shade’s characters so bad!! I won’t be spoiling you but the next novel is trully worth the wait. 😉
Good to hear you liked it! I’ll be waiting (im)patiently…. 🙂