Sarah grew up in the middle of nowhere in the countryside of Derbyshire and as a result has an over-active imagination. She has been an avid reader for most of her life, taking inspiration from the stories she read as a child, and the novels she devoured as an adult.

Sarah mainly writes speculative fiction for a Young Adult audience and has had pieces of short fiction published in the Medulla Literary Review, Apex Magazine, PANK magazine and the British Fantasy Society publication Dark Horizons. Her short story ‘Vampires Wear Chanel’ is featured in the Wyvern Publication Fangtales available from Amazon.

The Blemished series is Sarah’s first project, however she is currently working on an upcoming YA fantasy series. Keep in touch for more information!

The Blemished by Sarah Dalton

A beautiful world comes at a price...

In a world filled with stunning clones Mina Hart is Blemished. Her genes are worthless and that takes away her rights: her right to an Education, her right to a normal life and her right to have a child.

Mina keeps a dangerous secret which she never thought she could share until she meets Angela on her first day at St Jude's School. But their friendship is soon complicated by Angela’s adoptive brother Daniel. Mina finds herself drawn to his mysterious powers and impulsive nature. Then there is the gorgeous clone Sebastian who Mina is forbidden from even speaking to…

The Blemished is a frightening take on a fractured future where the Genetic Enhancement Ministry have taken control of Britain. It will take you on a ride filled with adventure, romance and rebellion.

Book one in the popular YA dystopia series 'Blemished'.

 

REVIEWS

  • "Wow, I was so delightfully surprised with this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The story is original, fresh, and entertaining. The characters are so well written, and you really get to feel like you know them."

    –Always YA at Heart

  • "The Blemished has elements of oppression, rebellion, loyalty, friendship, betrayal, and survival. What make is it unique is the strong female protagonist who owns her choices."

    –Apocalypse Reads

  • "The Blemished is phenomenal and riveting. It is like no other book that I have ever read. I was wonderstruck by everything about this book; the amazing and extremely interesting storyline, the lively characters, the stunning world building, and the overall beautiful writing. This book blew me away, and I highly recommend it."

    –Written by Brittan
 

BOOK PREVIEW

Excerpt

"For today’s lesson I needed an example, which is why you see Miss Hart at the centre," said Mrs Murgatroyd as she slowly walked around the outside of the circle. "Today’s lesson is about boys. You see, there are some among you who seem to have had some experience in this area. Isn’t that right, Miss Hart?"

"I... I... suppose," I stuttered.

I tried to rein in my emotions, to concentrate and be in control. I couldn’t use my gift in front of all these people. It would be too obvious. I glanced down at my hands hoping that she wasn’t going to beat me in front of the class. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Billie shaking her head and remembered what she had said in the garden.

"Angela Dixon?"

"Yes, Miss," Angela replied with a shaky voice.

"Tell the class how a good Blemished girl should behave around members of the opposite sex," Mrs Murgatroyd instructed.

"Not to look at them directly. Modestly," Angela recited.

"That’s correct." Mrs Murgatroyd continued her slow lap of the chairs with her hands folded behind her back – the picture of control. "And why is that?"

"Um, we don’t want to give them the wrong idea," Angela replied quietly.

"That’s correct," said Mrs Murgatroyd. "You are not here to mate. Your genes have been proven unworthy. You are here as servants to the GEMs, which is your rightful place. And if you are lucky and behave appropriately for a Blemished then you may even get a job. Now, Angela, could you tell me one more thing? How should a Blemished girl behave in the company of a male GEM?"

"W... we shouldn’t talk to them. Or look at them. Unless we are spoken to," she answered quietly.

"Excellent," Mrs Murgatroyd said. "Now, class. I would like you to answer together. Should you talk to a GEM boy?"

"No," said the class in unison.

"Should you reveal your hair to a GEM boy?"

"No!"

I didn’t join in the chant. At this point the tears began to roll slowly down my cheeks and my lips trembled so badly I couldn’t open them.

"Should you let a GEM boy touch you?"

"No!"

"And how about you, Miss Hart? Should you let any of these things happen?" Mrs Murgatroyd moved into the centre of the circle and bent low to speak to me. I felt her hot breath on my cheek.

I shook my head.

"Yet you did. Didn’t you?" She yanked at my headscarf and began to unwrap my hair. Her pointed nails scraped on the back of my neck and her rough fingers pulled my head back and forth. "Do you think you are better than everyone else in this room?"

"No," I said hoarsely. I could barely see through my tears. I shut my eyes against the stares of my peers.

"Then why do you act like it?" she said cruelly. She grabbed my hair and pulled my head back. "You bring everything on yourself, Miss Hart. When will you learn your place?"

On the last word she yanked my head back even further and pulled a pair of scissors out of her jacket pocket. The rest of the class gasped. I stared at them – wide-eyed. For a horrible moment I thought she might stab me, but then she did something almost as awful. With a ghastly smile on her face Mrs Murgatroyd cut chunks out of my hair; big, uneven, ugly chunks. I watched in horror as the long strands fell to the floor.