First published 2024
Dafyd Alkhor works as an assistant to a brilliant scientist on the planet Anjiin when the Carryx arrive. These alien conquerors wage wars across the galaxy, destroying or enslaving entire species. The Carryx ships descend and decimate the human population. They capture the best minds from Anjiin society and transport them to the Carryx homeworld. Dafyd finds himself among the prisoners, thrust into a deadly competition between captive species. Extinction awaits the losers. While others see only a survival contest, Dafyd and his companions recognize a deeper game. They must learn to understand and manipulate their Carryx masters. A human rebellion erupts, noble but doomed to fail. Strange enemies threaten from multiple directions. Dafyd's team pays a terrible price to earn the trust of their alien rulers. This simple man faces events beyond his control or imagination. He will become both humanity's champion and its greatest betrayer, the most hated figure in human history and the guardian of his people.
Genres: science-fiction, adventure, action, aliens
Vibes: dark, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Anjiin, Carryx Homeworld
Period: Future
423 pages · Kindle Edition · Orbit
Content warnings: violence