by Stacia Stark
First published 2025
Arvelle fights daily to keep her younger brothers alive in the dangerous Thorn district. When a vampire appears at her door, everything changes. She swears a binding magical oath to assassinate the emperor, an ancient vampire spawned by the god Umbros. First she must survive the Sundering, a brutal arena where competitors battle to join the emperor's guard. The Primus, tasked with protecting the emperor, becomes her enemy. But the vampire beneath that armor is someone from her past who broke her heart. Arvelle must work with him and Rorrik, the emperor's cruel son. Both vampires hide their true intentions. Rorrik knows about the strange powers growing inside Arvelle, abilities that would make the emperor want her dead. She discovers a conspiracy that will reshape everything she believed about herself and the two vampires whose fates connect to hers. Her brothers' lives depend on her success in the arena and her mission to kill the most powerful vampire alive.
Genres: romance, adventure, fantasy, action
Vibes: dark, emotional, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Thorn District
Period: Ancient
432 pages · Trade Paperback · Michael Joseph
Content warnings: violence