So pleased my friend told me to read this book!!Inside the dwarf planet Haumea, well into the future, 17-year-old Marishel’s life is turned upside-down when she’s selected in the lottery with 59 other girls, to fight to the death in the Blood Match to win the 17-year-old Ambassador’s hand in marriage (who is thankfully very handsome. At least they don’t have to kill each other for an ugly guy). The girls stay as guests in the Ruling Family’s estate where they learn how to fight and take classes on behavior & diplomacy, dine on luxurious food, and take turns going on dates with the Ambassador, Quin. This is how they live for a month before they’re all thrown into the arena and forced to fight to the death. The last one standing wins the honor of becoming Quin’s bride. The whole month is televised and viewers at home love to tune in and make bets on who will be the first girl to die and who will be the last one standing. Viewers get to watch the nightly group feasts, Quin’s dates, the girls’ lessons, and the training sessions. They learn which contestants are in the top-tier, or winners pool.The whole time, Marishel takes it upon herself to try to come up with a way to stop the Blood Match. She makes friends, enemies, allies, and learns who she can trust and who ultimately does not have her best interest. Marishel herself is certainly not in the winners pool and doesn’t have much talent for fighting. But she does have a lot of courage and heart. However, her boldness gets her into a lot of really sticky situations, and also a lot of trouble. Her determination to end the Match leads her to making some foolish decisions and reckless moves, putting herself in harm’s way — especially considering the Ambassador’s mother, the First, is so cruel and ruthless, and does not tolerate disobedience. Marishel’s first impression of Quin was that he was cold and aloof and seemed unsympathetic to the girls’ dismal situation. But as they befriend each other and she learns what Quin is really like, she discovers that he’s so much more than the face he shows the world. Their scenes together are really beautifully written, and they bring levity and feel-good fuzzies to an overall bleak and tense story, along with Marishel’s two new best friends. The last few chapters are really intense and really keep you on the edge of your seat. There were surprises throughout, especially towards the end, where the story concludes very satisfyingly.This book is filled with great characters (some lovable, some you’ll really hate), intriguing world-building, a very gripping story, and every emotion you could possibly want a book to provoke!