The Vermilion Ribbon” by Hayley Price is a fantastic entry into the realm of sapphic fantasy with a feeling of low fiction. It takes place in a secondary world, similar to our own, yet set far in the past. The protagonist Correlle lives in this world that is perilous to her because of her attraction to women. For the sake of love, Correlle gets drawn into the life of a skilled assassin who is part of a secret deadly guild. She suffers greatly for this. Suffering a huge loss, she soon finds herself on the run from the people in her very own guild. Before long she is joined by a companion from whom she desperately tries to hide her secrets. Correlle is committed to doing whatever it takes to keep them both alive.
Book One in the Vermilion Saga, “The Vermilion Ribbon” offers a thrilling exploration of trust, betrayal, and the pursuit of freedom. The protagonist Corelle is well-crafted in that she embodies the traits of both strength and vulnerability. Readers are drawn into her internal struggles as she navigates the treacherous path that she must take to stay ahead of her former allies who are now her enemies. Readers are drawn into her internal struggles as she tries to overcome her secret past while trying to stay alive.
Being of small stature, she must rely solely on her skills rather than physical strength. She cannot revert to who she used to be, before she became an assassin, while she still needs those skills to defeat the ones who are chasing her. The author skillfully illustrates Corelle’s dilemma of her need to use her lethal skills while she longs for connection and safety. Having to keep secrets from her love, while trying to keep them both alive, makes for a compelling story.
The world-building is excellent. It is set in a secondary world that is not unlike our own. It takes place far in the past, where there is no technology. People must rely on their skills and special abilities to survive. This place is ruled by leaders who operate out of the need for power and greed. Readers will find that this land feels both foreign and familiar.
The forbidden sapphic elements are seamlessly woven into the narrative. Corelle’s relationships with other female characters add a great deal of depth to her journey. A love of this kind is especially complex in this world. This adds to the stakes involved with a life on the run.
Overall, “The Vermilion Ribbon” is a thrilling yet heartfelt saga that resonates with themes of survival, self-discovery, and the search for belonging. The blend of action, suspense, and emotional depth make this an exceptional read. Readers will eagerly anticipate Corelle’s next adventure in this series, as I do.