Review of Bleeder

Mal, who lives in a rather primitive and dangerous settlement of Garrick, knows long hours of work and endless hunger.  When an emissary from Red City arrives and Mal is determined to be a Bleeder,  Mal's life changes, for she is to be taken to Red City and trained to become a Chalice, a woman who will carry children for royalty.  On the way to Red City, the emissary and her contingent stop at Allel, to determine if another girl is, also, a Breeder.  While there, Mal meets Prince Emund of Allel and Prince Garrick of Garrick, both handsome and destined to play a role in her life.

Ms. Rigel creates a unique and vivid world filled with political intrigue,fantasy, and action, coupled with a great love story.   Mal, who trades a life of poverty for one of luxury, is trapped in a gilded cage, although she doesn't realize it at first.  Forced to bare children for the highest bidder, her life is one of ceremonies and duty, but she, slowly, discovers a need for something more than the duty to which she was brainwashed.  Edmund is a truly great hero, for he is strong, sympathetic, protective, and loving.  I became totally caught up in Edmund and Mal's plight and found myself on the edge of my seat awaiting the outcome.

All in all, Bleeder is a wonderful read, and I highly recommend it, for its imaginative world-building and superb love story.