Set in an imaginary kingdom, this novel shows us a society divided by the color of blood. On one side there are common people who have red blood; on the other we have those who possess silver blood and who have supernatural abilities. The latter form a closed elite full of privileges. The protagonist is Mare, a red-blooded girl who survives in poverty by committing petty thefts. One day, chance takes her to court. There she proves to have special powers, which are unusual for someone from the common people. This makes her an anomaly that attracts the attention of the king himself. He wants to use the young woman's powers to his advantage and makes her out to be a princess, who is supposedly going to marry one of his sons. Once at court, Mare becomes part of the silver world and secretly helps the Scarlet Guard, a group that is preparing a rebellion. New York Times number one
