Scarlett McCain is a rebel, a fighter, and a wanted thief. Robbing banks is only second nature to her. She is a wanted criminal across the lands they call “The Seven Kingdoms”. She must be tough, for her world is cruel and unforgiving toward anyone with imperfections. They lock away or kill anyone they deem unsafe. Scarlett works alone. She has no regard or trust for others. All this changes when she takes her first daring step onto an abandoned bus that crashed off the side of a hill. There she meets a quiet, innocent boy named Albert Browne. Soon she winds up fighting against some of the most powerful humans she’s ever encountered. Surely, they wouldn’t go as far as to hunt her down for her crimes. Soon she discovers hunters are not after her, but Albert Browne. He’s hiding a dangerous secret that could kill the both of them if it ever gets out. Their pursuers would do anything to get Albert Browne, even kill her. They have a giant target on their backs and pursuers hot on their heels.

They have nothing to guide them except one false hope: The Free Isles. Albert tells tales of “The Free Isles,” a sanctuary for the unfit far beyond the borders of The Seven Kingdoms. Scarlett must make a choice. She could abandon Albert to protect her own life or endure the treacherous journey toward The Free Isles. It’s hard to believe it even exists; Scarlett has her doubts. Scarlett soon faces the reality that working alone isn’t as fun as it used to be. As new friends join the adventure, she learns that life isn’t just about survival but the journey along the way.

The author’s writing ability captivates the reader’s attention to learn more about each character’s unique personality. Scarlett is spunky, brave, and quick-witted, while Albert is quiet, observant, and smart. The two make a great team and are easily likable characters for the reader. They’re easy to follow and have quite relatable personalities. The end of the book was climactic and intriguing; however, the writer painted Scarlett in a different light than what her character developed into. It’s a fun read to be enjoyed by all ages, but especially for those who are up for adventure. Stroud shows that life has meaning and value beyond what Scarlett can see. In Scarlett’s world, if she chose to leave Albert behind, her world would never have changed. If she wanted a change, she couldn’t wait for others to do it for her. She had to be that change. Stroud shows the readers that everyone has the power to make a change and decide where they want their lives to lead them.