by Petra Lord
First published 2026
Anabelle Gage's male body decays from within while she watches helplessly. In Caimor, magical elites purchase designer bodies like luxury goods, but Ana cannot afford to escape her rotting form. She fails the entrance exam to Paragon Academy, destroying her final chance at earning a new body. With death approaching, Ana uses illusion magic to steal a healthy body. The headmaster of Paragon Academy catches her in the act. He offers her a choice: execution for theft or service as his mercenary. Ana accepts his ultimatum. The wealthy elite hunt rebels in Caimor's polluted underworld, targeting the mysterious Black Wraith who leads the uprising. Ana must steal, fight, and kill to survive. She works alongside an impulsive assassin, a brooding bombmaker, and an alluring exile who threatens her mission. Secrets entangle Ana as she navigates the conflict. The distinction between hero and villain dissolves. Ana faces a final decision about which cause deserves her life.
Genres: science-fiction, fantasy, thriller, action
Vibes: dark, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family, morally-grey-characters
Setting: Caimor
Period: 21st-century
Paperback · HARPER COLLINS
Content warnings: body-horror, graphic-violence