Raine was born a second child. "Second-borns" are sent away from their families, used as entertainment for the citizens. They are given two chances at living:
The first: being so beautiful and strong-willed (or whatever an important societal suitor is looking for in a woman) that they are Chosen.
The second: Surviving the Tournament of the Unchosen.
If they are unable to be Chosen, most bet their odds as dead. The tournament was instituted by the Administrator, as a way to kill off unwanted girls that are deemed as unworthy and unacceptable.
Surviving 17 other girls, who are all fighting for their lives, seems almost impossible to Raine.
That is, until she finds out her own secret. A secret that the Administrator did not want her to know. A secret that changes all she thought she knew about the world she lives in.
She must fight to be the last one standing and have a chance at a normal life-or, unknowingly, the life the Administrator has planned-and with her secret, she thinks she can win.
Noor, a dancer in the Royal Court of the Al-Yauzhan Empire wants nothing more than to pay off her debts and lead a nice, simple life-but a chance encounter with the crown prince and his brother brings her into the dangerous world of court politics. As Noor and the princes investigate their uncle and cousin's possible treason, she grows closer to the crown prince, but in order to save the kingdom and the person she loves, Noor will have to risk everything...
A romantic adventure set in an imagined Arabic kingdom, THE DANCING GIRL is a story of court intrigues, romantic entanglements, and secret meetings as Noor and her best friend Amir try to help the princes they're falling for expose corrupt court officials with plans to seize the throne. Noor and Amir are close to having everything they've ever dreamed of...now all they need to do is survive.