In a world inspired by ancient Rome, Laia is a Scholar, a member of a conquered people who were once the greatest minds on earth. Laia ekes out a living making jams with her grandmother, while her brother and grandfather provide health care to the needy. Until one night when her brother is accused of spying on the Martial Empire for a rebel group. Laia’s grandparents are murdered in front of her face and her brother is thrown in prison. Laia only escapes this fate buy running away. Ashamed of how she has behaved she tries to barter with the rebel group for her brother’s freedom. But they ask for a price that could mean her life, spying on the greatest military academy in the kingdom.
Meanwhile Elias is about to graduate from that same military academy. Most of his classmates are elated to have survived (not everyone does) and are eagerly anticipating the freedom that military service seems to be in comparison to the strict rules of the school. Elias, however, is looking for a truer and longer lasting freedom. He plans to escape the school, and military service on the night of the graduation ceremony. Until he is selected as a candidate to be the next emperor. Now he has to compete in a series of games, against his friends, that will determine the next emperor, and cost the losers their lives.
This is a first book in a new and riveting series that intertwines Laia’s struggle to save her brother, with the fate of the empire. I look forward to the next book in this new fantasy adventure.