by Claudia Gray
First published 2015
Thane Kyrell and Ciena Ree grow up on the Outer Rim world of Jelucan, bonding over their shared passion for flight. He comes from aristocracy, she from a rural village, but both dream of serving the Galactic Empire as starfighter pilots. They enroll at the Imperial Academy together, eager to defend what they believe represents order and justice across the galaxy. Their training progresses smoothly until Thane witnesses the Empire's brutal methods of control firsthand. The tactics disgust him, shattering his faith in the cause he once embraced. Disillusioned and angry, he defects to join the Rebellion against Imperial rule. Ciena faces an agonizing choice between her unwavering loyalty to the Empire and her deep feelings for her childhood friend. She remains with the Imperial fleet while Thane fights alongside the rebels. The war forces them into direct conflict, pitting former allies against each other in battle. Their personal struggle mirrors the galaxy's larger civil war, testing whether love can survive when duty demands they become enemies.
Genres: science-fiction, adventure, space-opera, action
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Galactic Empire, Jelucan
Period: Star Wars
551 pages · Hardcover · Disney Lucasfilm Press