Search for Lady Ghost and the freedom only she can provide – The National

IN The Good Luck Girls, Charlotte Davis embraces a genre rarely picked up on for YA fiction a western that breaks free from the stereotypical adventures of men getting into gun fights. This story instead, is one led by young black women, with justice and earned vengeance at the heart of any violence they become involved in.

Daviss writing is refreshing and exciting at every turn, with immersive world building leaving you wanting more. Now is the perfect time to pick up The Good Luck Girls as the sequel The Sisters Of Reckoning just came out in October.

While the heavier themes of sexual assault, addiction and references to rape and suicide may be upsetting for some readers, these mentions are done with care and purpose to the story. Anything related to such topics is handled in a way that I would hope any aspiring YA author would take note of for more than anything this story is filled with hope, and that is what stays with you after reading.

The fictional country of Arketta where the events of the book take place is harshly divided by class, with those less fortunate in their parentage known as dustbloods and living under terrible conditions. It is due to this that another option arises, when these families have daughters they can be sold to welcome houses, to be kept in clothes, food and more comfortable conditions, but of course for this there is a price.

From their arrival to when they are 15, those living there are known as daybreak girls and perform chores around the house theyve been sent to for their keep, however on the night of their 16th birthday their role changes to serving as sundown girls auctioned off for their first night to one of the male customers, known as brags.

The story begins on Clementines 16th birthday, and therefore her first night away from the comfortable oblivion of day to day chores her so called lucky night where she will be chosen by her first brag. The advice of her concerned elder sister Aster who is more used to getting through life as a sundown girl is to distract herself by singing a song. But when Clementine accidentally kills her brag, the only option is to face the consequences or run from a life that has always seemed inescapable.

With the help of another three from the house they get out ut their problems dont end there. Upon arrival at the welcome houses, children are marked by magical tattoos, favours, that mark them forever as what they are with seemingly no way to be hidden or removed. It is Violet, the favourite of the mistress of their house, who has been allowed the most information of the outside and shares with them what she knows.

Lady Ghost, the woman of folk tales rumoured to be able to remove favours is, it turns out, real, and all that is required for their freedom is to find her.

An unforgettable story, beautifuly told.

Visit link:

Search for Lady Ghost and the freedom only she can provide - The National