Book Review: Gunslinger Girl

Gunslinger Girl by Lyndsay Ely

Synopsis:
Seventeen-year-old Serendipity “Pity” Jones inherited two things from her mother: a pair of six shooters and perfect aim. She’s been offered a life of fame and fortune in Cessation, a glittering city where lawlessness is a way of life. But the price she pays for her freedom may be too great.

Review:
When Pity learns she is about to be sold off by her father, she decides to escape to the West. However, the place she flees to has it’s own set of rules. And earning her keep may destroy her soul. Pity is talented with her mother’s hand-me-down pistols. But she’s never had to kill a man.

Gunslinger Girl is set in an alternate world of a Wild West, after America had a second Civil War. The land is harsh, and still allows for backward and cruel treatment of women. I was hesitant with the first couple chapters, but the story picked up and wasn’t as dark as it initially felt. Pity and her love interest are sweet and relatable. The story is fast-paced and full of drama, intrigue, suspense, and a bit of romance. Events build to a surprising and action-packed finale. And this captivating debut leaves off in an interesting way that will leave readers eager for the next in the series.