The story, told from two different points of view, takes place in a dark and gritty Empire where the strong are ruthless and vicious and the weak don't survive. The story is about two children orphaned at the age of eight, and follows their path through adulthood. The boy, Red, intends to be the greatest thief the Empire has ever known. The girl, Hope, is trained from a group of elite warriors with the sole purpose of avenging her parents' deaths. But when fate brings them together, all hell breaks loose.
"As youth and innocence give way to experience, doubt clouds the mind. Those who find renewed purpose in the complexity will thrive instead of falter."
Jon Skovron's debut in adult fantasy is something to be praised. The prose is smooth as silk and the story is flowing at its own pace without Skovron trying to rush or control it. The world building is constantly expanding and developing, the magic system is simply structured but intriguing and captivating, and the characters are sharp and refined.
Hope and Red is, simply told, a compelling story that explores issues of life and death, revenge and forgiveness, friendship and love. Self-loathing and inner-peace.
