drey's library

In Santa Olivia - a forgotten town on the border between the U.S.A and Mexico - life can be hopeless. There's no jobs. No life. No prospects - for love, liberty, or the pursuit of happiness... And the cherry on top? You can't leave. Nosirree, you're good & stuck. Stuck in a town surrounded by desert and the military.Loup Garron is born in Santa Olivia, on the feast day of the town's patron saint. Her father was one of the lucky ones - he managed to get out (they think). Her mother? Not so much. As for Loup, she's special. She's fast. Strong. Doesn't feel pain. She has to learn to pretend to be normal, to protect herself from the townspeople and the military.The only hope most residents have of getting out of Santa Olivia, revolve around the ring. As in winning a match against the military's champion fighter. Loup's big brother Tommy is going to try, so he can get them both out of there. Thing is, nobody's won. Ever. When things work out as they will, Loup finds herself with a ragtag group of orphans cared for by the church. And they start meting out justice, sparingly, Santa Olivia style...Santa Olivia is a very good read. I personally didn't think it was quite on par with Carey's Kushiel series. However, the characters are drawn well, the storyline interesting, and the plot believable (hey! I read fantasy!).