First published 2025
In the sweltering heat of summer, seven elite warriors compete to replace the aging emperor of Orrun. But when one of the contenders is murdered, the brilliant but eccentric High Scholar Neema Kraa must hunt for the killer. As she investigates, darker forces threaten to tear the empire apart. If Neema succeeds, she could win the throne—whether she wants it or not. But if she fails, she may sentence herself to death and set in motion events that could doom Orrun forever.
Genres: adventure, mystery, fantasy, action
Vibes: dark, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: chosen-one, enemies-to-lovers
Setting: Orrun
646 pages · Hardcover · Hodderscape