(Red Sparrow) is the acclaimed debut novel by former CIA operative Jason Matthews , first published in 2013. It serves as the opening chapter of a high-stakes trilogy that provides an authentic, insider's look at the world of modern espionage. Plot Summary
: Dominika possesses the unique ability to perceive human emotions and intentions as colors (auras), which she uses to navigate the deceptive world of spying.
Set in contemporary Russia, the story follows , a former prima ballerina whose career is cut short by a brutal injury. She is coerced by her uncle, a high-ranking official in the SVR (Russia's foreign intelligence service), to join the "Sparrow School"—a secretive program where recruits are trained in the art of sexual seduction and psychological manipulation.
