The story follows Amani, a small town girl from Dustwalk where her uncle has recently decided to marry her, much to the disdain of his other wives. She is hated by her guardians, cousins, and everyone around her. In a town that has nothing but sand and iron, Amani knows it's time do or die, because she is NOT staying. When suspicous person name Jin slithers into town, she takes a chance upon him, saving him in hopes that he will do the same. He meets her expectations and they are entwined together by both fate and force of will.
Amani is not a mary-sue of a character despite living in a society that heavily opresses women. She is probably the best sharp shooter Dustwalk, and farther, has ever seen. She isn't afraid to use her skills to her advantage if it meana getting what she wants. She does not shy, she does not quake, she takes life by the horns and quite honestly just shoots if things aren't working out.
Jin is a fairly laid back character. He evens out Amani's tense personality and forces her to see past her tunnel vision to the bigger picture. Though she may not like it, though she doesn't trust him, she sees the truth in his words and his experiences as a traveller.
Like Amani, Jin isn't afraid of taking advantage of people, places, and things when need be. She betrays him, he betrays her, but in the end, these two make on hell of a team. Slowly but surely, they make their way across the desert, learning to maybe not trust their secrets, but definitely their lives, to each other to reach an end Amani can't even begin to fathom.
The book throws in some shooting contests, cross dressing, and witty banter that will leave you smiling well into the night.