The Glass Arrow

"Like The Handmaid's Tale, Simmons's book serves as essential commentary on women's rights."--Cosmopolitan.com

Once there was a time when men and women lived as equals, when girl babies were valued, and women could belong only to themselves. But that was ten generations ago. Now women are property, to be sold and owned and bred, while a strict census keeps their numbers manageable and under control. The best any girl can hope for is to end up as some man's forever wife, but most are simply sold and resold until they're all used up.

Only in the wilderness, away from the city, can true freedom be found. Aya has spent her whole life in the mountains, looking out for her family and hiding from the world, until the day the Trackers finally catch her.

Stolen from her home, and being groomed for auction, Aya is desperate to escape her fate and return to her family, but her only allies are a loyal wolf she's raised from a pup and a strange mute boy who may be her best hope for freedom . . . if she can truly trust him.

The Glass Arrow is a haunting, yet hopeful, new novel from Kristen Simmons, the author of the popular Article 5 trilogy.

“The Glass Arrow by Kristen Simmons plunges readers into a heart-wrenching and wholly startling new world. Aya's story is terrifying in the best possible way, and left me shuddering over the painful awareness of humanity's darkest capability, and yet not losing sight of its greatest potential. Simmons portrays a stunning heroine of strength and resilience that captivated me until the very last page.” —Christina Farley, author of the YA bestseller Gilded

“Fully imagined and richly written, The Glass Arrow seamlessly blends the best of adventure and romance with characters you will root for. I was transported.... A dark tale shot through with hope and the idea that sacrifice and love can conquer all. I couldn't put it down.” —Amy Christine Parker, author of Gated and Astray, on The Glass Arrow

“The Glass Arrow is an intense and disturbing read that is impossible to put down. From the rush of the first chase scene to the emotional conclusion, Aya is a fearless heroine that you can't help falling in love with. I stayed up way too late completely enthralled, chilled and ultimately satisfied by the frightening world Simmons created. Now where is book 2? I Need it right now!” —Ellen Oh, author of Prophecy

“There's much of Katniss Everdeen in Aya--a familiar strength and determination. Aya is an independent thinker, strong and self-reliant…. Fans of dystopian and postapocalyptic YA fiction will thoroughly enjoy this read.” —School Library Journal

“Romance readers will find plenty to swoon over, while fans of dystopian futures will find this a compelling… read. Aya's fierce determination and ability to think quickly and creatively in crises make her a great role model, and her nature-based faith lends an interesting balance to the action-driven tale of social justice. Simmons creates sympathetic yet intriguingly flawed characters, and tweaks familiar dystopian elements to excellent effect.” —Booklist

“This grim cautionary tale opens taut and suspenseful, with its heroine being hunted down like an animal, her adopted family slaughtered and scattered…. A world where girls and women are commodities to be sold and resold is frightening enough; more chilling are the girls who embrace their fate or the women who participate in the system for profit and status.” —Publishers Weekly

“Article 5 is a gripping, atmospheric story of survival. Alongside a fierce depiction of oppressive government, Simmons has created a bleak portrait of an America lost. I could hardly put it down.” —Kendare Blake, author of Anna Dressed in Blood

“The realistic underbelly of Article 5 is what makes this dystopian tale a haunting read and incredibly engaging. A true dystopian force.” —The CW

“This action-packed novel is a dystopian unlike any other I have read.” —The Huffington Post on Article 5

“An adrenaline-pumping ride into a terrifying future. I have no nails left.” —Anne Greenwood Brown, author of Lies Beneath, on Breaking Point

“The action never stops.” —Booklist

“Paints a picture of a world that could easily be our future. [Simmons's] fluid writing creates an easy-to-read story that opens the eyes of readers to what the loss of civil liberties could entail. This book is a must have for all young adult collections.” —VOYA