Description

The #1 New York Times bestselling series!

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Victoria Aveyard, this 100-page digital original prequel novella follows Scarlet Guard leader Captain Farley as she exchanges coded transmissions with the resistance and travels the land recruiting black market traders, smugglers, and extremists for her first attempt at an attack on the capital.

She was raised to be strong, but planting the seeds of rebellion in Norta is a tougher job than expected—until she stumbles upon a connection that may prove to be the key to the entire operation: Mare Barrow.

A rare look into the world of the Scarlet Guard, Steel Scars is the perfect companion to the #1 New York Times bestselling Red Queen series.

Plus don't miss Realm Breaker! Irresistibly action-packed and full of lethal surprises, this stunning fantasy series from Victoria Aveyard, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Red Queen series, begins where hope is lost and asks: When the heroes have fallen, who will take up the sword?


Before Mare Barrow, there was another woman planting the seeds of revolution. This is her story.


  • Scarlet Guard Origin Story: Witness the beginning of the uprising in Norta as Captain Farley builds a network of rebels from the ground up.
  • Spies and Secrets: Go behind enemy lines with coded transmissions, black market dealings, and the dangerous alliances that set the stage for war.
  • The World of Red Queen: A must-read for fans of the series, this prequel reveals the crucial events that led to Mare Barrow’s discovery and the moment everything changed.
  • Action-Packed Novella: At 100 pages, this is a fast-paced, high-stakes fantasy adventure perfect for diving into the rebellion for the first time or revisiting it from a new perspective.

About the author(s)

Victoria Aveyard is the #1 New York Times Bestselling author of the RED QUEEN series and the REALM BREAKER trilogy. Her books have been translated into over 40 languages and counting. Born and raised in a small town in Western Massachusetts, she now lives in Los Angeles with her dog and her husband.

Reviews

PRAISE FOR RED QUEEN: “A sizzling, imaginative thriller, where romance and revolution collide, where power and justice duel. It’s exhilarating. Compelling. Action-packed. Unputdownable.” - USA Today

“Aveyard weaves a compelling new world of action-packed surprises... inventive, character-driven.” - Kirkus Reviews

“A volatile world with a dynamic heroine.” - Booklist

“Breakneck pace and engaging characters.” - School Library Journal

“[Aveyard] sets her audience up for a gaspworthy twist that reconfigures nearly every character’s role and leaves Mare with no one to trust but herself... This blend of fantasy and dystopia will be an unexpected and worthy addition to many genre fans’ reading list.” - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Fascinating world building... Readers will be intrigued by a world that reflects today’s troubling issues concerning ethnic inequality, unfair distribution of wealth, pollution, warfare, political corruption, and the frightening power of the media.” - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)