Red Sparkle Stone is a foundling orphan with an odd name and a veiled past, but she's about to be adopted into the royal family--by Empress Elisa herself. When the empress's greatest rival blocks the adoption, Red is left with no family and no future. Determined to find her place, Red hatches a daring plan: she will prove herself as a recruit for the world's most elite fighting force, the legendary Royal Guard--something no woman has done before. As someone puts everything she loves at risk, it will be up to Red and her friends--and maybe some enemies--to save the empire. If they can survive recruitment year. -- adapted from Amazon info.