The Branded (Jo Riccioni, Pantera Press)

Twins Nara and Osha are Pure—unmarked by the plague that ravaged their continent. Behind the walls of the isolated citadel of Isfalk, the course of their lives is clearly prescribed: marriage and childbirth, for the glory of Isfalk. That is, until a startling revelation separates the sisters. When a mysterious outsider seems to be following Nara’s every move, she is forced to confront a past that isn’t what it seems, and a future that will lead the sisters far from the safety of the citadel. Osha may be the hero foretold by prophecy … and Nara will do whatever it takes to protect her sister. The Branded is the first novel in Jo Riccioni’s new fantasy duology ‘The Branded Season’. Riccioni examines the narratives societies develop to justify systems of oppression, and the ways in which gender-based discrimination intersects with class. The book centres these themes as well as the push–pull dynamic of benevolent sexism that both elevates women and restricts their freedoms; however, it is also a rollicking fantasy novel that grounds complex concepts in a pair of fallible, intriguing protagonists and a rich high-fantasy setting that is a genuine pleasure to discover. The Branded is perfect for fans of Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo or Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas.

Catherine Moller is a freelance writer and editor. She has previously worked with Titan Books, Queensland Writers Centre and Alex Adsett Publishing Services.

Category: Reviews