I could not put this book down, and powered through it in a (long) evening.

Serendipity "Pity" Jones lives on a commune with her father and brothers after the Second Civil War, but when her father decides to ship her off to become someone's bride, she flees, taking her deceased mother's prized pair of revolvers. Things don't exactly go as planned, and she ends up in Cessation, a city just beyond the reach of the government. There, she's brought to Selene, who gives her a chance to prove her worth at the Theatre Vespertine, which is full of death-defying acts. If Pity can give the audience a show, she can stay. Pity finds her place and gains a family of sorts in Casimir's employees (Casimir being the brothel/gaming hall run by a woman named Selene), only to find it all crumbling around her when a presidential hopeful comes to town, trying to secure Selene's backing to win the election.

Pity is a nuanced character, strong due to her upbringing, and flawed like any human being. Lyndsay Ely does a wonderful job with all her characters, giving them depth with histories that may only be hinted at and motivations that are complex. The tension is drawn out really well, with plenty of surprises along the way. And the worldbuilding is amazing, from the harsh life on the commune to the dirty alleys and enticing storefronts of Cessation, to the glittering, extravagant world of Casimir. Gunslinger Girl is an interesting mix of sci-fi, western, and dystopia, with a great main character, some romance, and a whole lot of intrigue. Highly recommended.