The Branded
BOOK ONE of the The Branded Season duology
A century after a virus has decimated the population, the Continent’s survivors are divided into two classes: the Branded who are vulnerable to disease, and the Pure who are bigger, stronger and immune. Orphan Nara, and her twin sister, Osha, are taken in from the wilds of the forest to live in the remote snow-bound citadel of Isfalk, where their pure skin entitles them to a life of privilege as precious immune breeding stock, much sought by outsiders.
But when the girls are ambushed and kidnapped by Wasteland traders, their narrow views of the class system begin to erode, as does Nara’s very identity as a Pure. Discovering that Isfalk is not the last seat of civilization she’d once thought, Nara accepts the help of a sled-driver, known as the Wrangler, a southern Brand with a shady past, who appears to know much more than he should about the sisters.
The Wrangler also seems to be the only one able to explain Nara’s unnerving hunting abilities and the strange new psychic ability that she’s trying to ignore. Untrustworthy as he is, the Wrangler promises Nara she’ll find answers to her identity and her abilities in the obscure southern territory of Reis. Little does she know, surviving the fraught journey across the Wastelands and into the desert is only the beginning. What she unearths in Reis will ultimately deliver Nara to the brink of a war in which she must decide whether who she is written on her skin or in her heart.
‘The Branded is a rollicking fantasy novel that grounds complex concepts in a pair of fallible, intriguing protagonists and a rich high-fantasy setting that is a genuine pleasure to discover. Perfect for fans of Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo or Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas.’
Catherine Moller, Books+Publishing
The Rising
Conclusion to the The Branded Season duology
Nara and her sister, Osha, have escaped the Citadel and the brutality of the Wastelands to arrive in the capital of Reis, home of the wrangler.
The Shadow City is rife with political power plays, complicated by rumours of a long-awaited prophecy – the coming of a Pure healer with the ability to cure the Branded. With her healing powers growing ever stronger, all eyes are on Osha. But there are those in Reis who would kill to control her gifts.
If she is to protect her sister, Nara must navigate new allies and old enemies in the Shadow City. That’s easier said than done when she’s caught between Brim, her first love, and the Wrangler, man who’s stolen her heart but broken her trust. Worn down by lies and deception, Nara is forced to question who she truly is and what she can believe.
One thing is clear: she and Osha must learn to wield their powers to guard their freedom and to fight for what is right. With dark forces taking control across the continent, the Branded must rise to survive.
The explosive, action-packed conclusion to the epic, high-concept fantasy duology, The Branded Season.
‘An outstanding fantasy debut, evocative and thought-provoking. Jo Riccioni combines a poet’s touch with the skill of a true storyteller … a compelling read.’ Juliet Marillier, author ot the Sevenwater series
