In a land split by war, the immortal paradise of Starside and the mortal wasteland of Stormside are separated by a magical barrier. Every fifty years, the gates open for a deadly competition where fifty challengers must cross Starside to reach a pool of life-changing magic.
Aris, an orphaned blacksmith’s apprentice, doesn’t want the magic—she wants vengeance. A goddess burned her village and killed her family, and Aris plans to use the quest to kill the gods. To qualify, she must first survive The Culling, a brutal trial against heirs from the Great Houses who possess superior weapons.
When Aris claims a legendary magic sword, she becomes a target for every competitor. Her only hope for survival is Harlan Raker, the mysterious king’s guard who betrayed her years ago. As they navigate a world filled with bloodthirsty beasts and ancient perils, Aris must protect a dark family secret that could destroy the gods once and for all.
