Content levels
Trigger warnings
Positive tags
Heroine archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Tropes
Synopsis
A futuristic tale... As an Earth runaway, Shade had been happy to be planetside again, free of the captain of the star freighter on which she'd stowed away. But after one day on her own in Deadtown, Shade knew she'd merely traded one prison for a larger and far deadlier one. For this was a world where you were fair game for anyone's desires if you didn't have plenty of protection. Still, Shade was a quick learner, and she soon became one of the coolest of Deadtowners, a survivor at any cost. At least until she found herself played for a pawn by the three dominant alien races on the planet -- powerful and ruthless beings on the planet -- powerful and ruthless beings ready to make use of her talent for scoping into other peoples's minds...
Shade: content & age rating
Intended for adult readers (18+).
This dark science fiction/fantasy hybrid depicts a young woman surviving in a brutal alien-controlled city where exploitation and manipulation are endemic. Expect strong violence, mature themes of survival at any cost, and psychic invasion.
What to know going in
This book has strong violence, moderate sexual content, and moderate language. Content notes include captivity, violence, and power imbalance (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Older teens who enjoy gritty survival stories and morally complex sci-fi worlds will find this tale of mental powers and alien manipulation compelling.