Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in Otera, where a woman's worth is tied to her purity. When Deka bleeds gold - the colour of impurity, of a demon - she faces eternal torture. She is saved by a mysterious woman who reveals the truth - Deka is an Alaki, a near-immortal with exceptional gifts. Her choice: fight for the Emperor with her kin, or be destroyed.
This is a fast-paced fantasy adventure with some scenes of violence, injury and death which some readers may find distressing. However, it is also the story of discovery and of the deep bonds of friendship and belonging. A great story for questioning how we can ever know someone's true gifts, if the rituals and routines of a society do not encourage them to flourish.