First published 2026
Taj scrounges through mountains of wreckage, hunting scrap metal to feed his family while dodging the creatures that prowl the junkyard. He built Star, a sarcastic robot companion, from salvaged parts. Together they compete in underground robot battles, but Taj never wins enough to escape poverty or satisfy the debt collectors hammering at his door. Everything shifts when a mysterious stranger offers him entry into the Ascent, a legendary fighting competition with prizes beyond imagination. The offer feels suspicious, but Taj accepts anyway. He soon learns his new sponsor brings dangerous enemies and deadly complications. As Taj and Star advance through the tournament rounds, the stakes climb higher than prize money. Other competitors want them dead. The battles grow more vicious. Taj realizes he must fight not just for wealth, but for his life. Starting from the bottom of society's heap, he can only move upward.
Genres: science-fiction, dystopia, adventure, action
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, rags-to-riches
384 pages · Paperback · Orbit
Content warnings: violence