In a not-too-distant future, Ava lives in the North American Territory, on one side of a military fence. This fence separates humans from the Klujns, a humanoid species that every year captures fourteen humans to participate in the Blood Race, where they compete to the death. Ava finds herself on the wrong side of the fence, ends up captured, and prepares to enter the Blood Circus. As the contest begins, she discovers that there is more to the Klujns and herself than she ever knew. As she fights for her life, she will begin to question everything she’s ever been told.

This book is like a more violent, more magical version of The Hunger Games. That being said, it is original, unique, and full of interesting characters. Ava is strong and brave in her own right, and though there are similarities, she is not Katniss. There is no mention of this being anything more of a standalone novel, but the ending left me wanting more. I couldn’t put it down and I want to know what Ava will do next and what the future looks like for humans and Klujns. You will fall in love with this twisted circus.