Once, she obeyed Amereld’s iron laws. Now, imprisoned and confessing to her captors, she reveals the truth: she touched the demon Lumos, refused purification, and embraced monstrosity when survival demanded it.

This is not a chosen-one tale. It is the story of a woman who will shatter laws, betray loyalties, and sacrifice even her humanity to fight a war the rest of the world cannot see.

✦ “Violence, love, lust, magic, and a complex cast… R. A. Neddow is a master of her craft.” —Nikole Severance

✦ “Dark, complex, and utterly original… takes familiar YA themes and transforms them into something layered and psychologically intense, perfect for a mature fantasy audience.” —Mira Maschmeyer

✦ “Sneaks up on you with its beauty, then knocks you down with its heartbreak… a lyrical yet sharp narrative that balances wonder with raw emotion. Fans of The Name of the Wind will feel right at home.” —Alex MacKenzie

✦ “One part coming-of-age, one part political drama, and all epic… a debut that promises great things ahead.” —Ian Barr