by Lynette Noni
First published 2026
Viridia Solace has spent years preparing to kill reapers. These creatures drain magic from children while deadly blackmist consumes her city of Aravell. The Reaper Priest leads them all, the same monster who killed Viri's parents. When his lieutenant Reeve Ashton falls into captivity, he makes Viri an offer. Help him escape and join his mission into the blackmist forest. In return, he promises her the revenge she craves. Viri knows the dangers of trusting any reaper, especially this silver-tongued thief. But the chance to destroy the Reaper Priest proves irresistible. She breaks Reeve from prison and follows him into the cursed wilderness alongside his crew of outcasts. They seek an ancient legend that might save Aravell from the Priest's final scheme. Yet Viri stakes everything on the word of a criminal. Her heart complicates the mission as feelings grow between enemies. A hidden secret threatens to destroy their fragile alliance just when the city needs them most.
Genres: romance, adventure, fantasy, action
Vibes: dark, emotional, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Aravell
496 pages · Hardcover · Knopf Books for Young Readers
Content warnings: violence