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In the kingdom of Aurelia, magic means power. The elite wield it without consequence, while those born without are left to struggle in shadow—raw, unrefined, and overlooked. For Greta, a sheltered but determined young woman, life has always been about protecting her younger sister.
But when tragedy strikes, Greta is torn from her family and forced into the hands of the ruthless ruling class. Conscripted into the military, she soon finds herself cast into a crucible of blood, flame, and torment, where every challenge is designed to break her—and every rival is out for blood.
As the trials push her beyond her limits, secrets long buried rise to the surface, sparking dangerous abilities and reshaping everything she thought she knew about herself, her family, and the world she must survive in. With her sister’s life on the line, strange feelings stirring within her, and an officer whose watchful eyes hide secrets of their own, Greta must decide how much of herself she is willing to sacrifice.
Like metal thrust into flame, she will be beaten, tested, and remade in fire. But will she emerge tempered into strength—or shattered beyond repair?
“This is without question one of the best books I have ever read. I lived in it. I felt it in my chest.”
— Kerri, ARC Reader
“The trials left me on the edge of my seat. I stayed up past my bedtime because I couldn’t put it down.”
— Laurie, ARC Reader
“An immersive, emotionally charged debut with worldbuilding that feels alive.”
— Acacia, Early Reader
“Standhaft weaves such a compelling story from the absolute start of the book through to the very end.”
— Desiree, ARC Reader
“I was enraptured from beginning to end.”
— Emerald, Early Reader
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This novel contains themes of imprisonment, violence, blood, weapons, death, grief, psychological distress, and on-page sexual content. It also includes references to suicide and threatened sexual assault. Reader discretion is advised.
