Girls of Paper and Fire

An enthralling story of forbidden romance in the first instalment of this sapphic fantasy trilogy. ''AN ELEGANT AND HEART-RENDING ODE'' SAMANTHA SHANNON ''QUEER GIRLS FALLING IN LOVE WHILE KICKING ASS'' R. F. KUANG Each year, eight beautiful girls are chosen as Paper Girls to serve the king. It''s the highest honour they could hope for . . . and the most demeaning. This year, there''s a ninth. And instead of paper, she''s made of fire. Lei is a member of the Paper caste, the lowest and most persecuted class of people in Ikhara. Ten years ago, her mother was snatched by the royal guards, and her fate remains unknown. Now, the guards are back and this time it''s Lei they''re after - the girl with the golden eyes, whose rumoured beauty has piqued the king''s interest. Over weeks of training in the opulent but oppressive palace, Lei and eight other