by Mary McCoy
First published 2022
Claudia McCarthy never wanted to run anything. The disaffected teen historian preferred studying the past to dealing with present drama at Imperial Day Academy. Then circumstances drag her into the Senate and Honor Council against her will. She finds herself making decisions that affect her classmates' lives. Claudia promises herself she'll use this unexpected authority to improve the school. The job proves harder than she imagined. Scandals erupt around her. Would-be tyrants plot their moves. Every choice creates new problems with no clear solutions. Claudia discovers that doing good requires navigating forces she barely understands. The experience forces her to confront an ancient question that has plagued leaders throughout history. Does holding power inevitably change who you are?
Genres: fiction, coming-of-age, contemporary, academic
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Imperial Day Academy
Period: contemporary
424 pages · Paperback · Carolrhoda Lab ®