When Kenzie is abducted from her world to another, she is, surprisingly, not that unhappy about it. Even if it means she’ll have to fight for her life in a series of fatal Royal Trials where her success dictates the reign of the next High King. She might be the physically weakest competitor, but she won’t let that stop her from outsmarting her opponents in any way she can. The line between friend and foe begins to blur as Kenzie questions whether she and her competitors deserve to die for the entertainment of another world’s kings, and whether the king she is fighting for even deserves the High Rule. In a series of escalating violent tests, Kenzie is forced to decide just how far she is willing to go to win, knowing that her success relies on her willingness to take another’s life.

The Royal Trials might be over, but Kenzie isn’t done being tested. She can’t quite seem to keep herself out of trouble, and soon finds herself in the middle of a new political battle of wills. She isn’t one to hide from confrontation, however, and rises to the challenge with her usual swagger. Dren, recently crowned High King, struggles to accept his new duties, both politically and personally, without hurting the ones he loves. Torn between his perfect match and his obligations to the throne, Dren is at risk of losing it all. Kenzie, Dren, and the rest of Fifth must tread carefully if they plan to come out the other side unscathed and, more importantly, without losing everything they’ve built for themselves.

Kenzie, Dren, and the rest of Fifth are returning to Cholyra’s Capital for another set of Trials. This time, they carry the burden of selecting their new Champion rather than leaving it all to chance. The stakes have been raised across the board and Morrow has made it very clear he intends to win–one way or another. Kenzie quickly realizes she is tackling more than she can handle as she attempts to balance her difficult Champion, her extensive spy network, and Morrow’s not-so-subtle threats. To top it all off, she also finds herself doing what no human has done before: controlling an energy she shouldn’t even be able to feel. Dren continues to struggle with his love for Kenzie and his urge to protect her at any cost, even as she battles to do the same for him. The political landscape of Cholyra is quickly changing and Dren is forced to adapt, or he risks losing Kenzie in the fray. Cayla is fighting to find her place in this new, strange world while also redefining her relationship with a newer, more violent version of her sister. She can’t seem to stop herself from falling for the one person she should consider off-limits, even though it means she risks everyone and everything she’s gained so far. Rheya has volunteered as the Tashyan Champion. Though she is confident she will win, she hasn’t come for glory. She’s stepped into the world of Cholyra for one reason only: to kill the person who caused her sister’s death two years prior. Once more, the court of Fifth is swept up into something bigger than themselves. War is brewing and they face the very real threat that they might not all make it out alive.

"You can't save everyone." This means war. And Fifth is about to find themselves allied with those they least expect. Kenzie and Morden have been taken by the King of Third, and it’s not looking good for them. With little to do but persevere, they can only hope for a daring rescue – or a one-in-a-million chance of escape. The rest of Fifth finds themselves very much challenged by Kenzie’s absence. Some push to discover their inner strength, whereas others find themselves crumbling. Political alliances are hanging on by a thread, and with the threat of war on the horizon, the Shadow Court can’t risk letting a single tenuous advantage slip through their fingers. In Third, Orym and Morrow find their relationship tested. Conditioned to bow down to his father and king his whole life, Orym finds his heart calling for someone else. Forced to watch Morrow’s cruelty, he wonders if he’s chosen the right side. Worlds collide and continents unite in this fourth and final installment of the Gilded Scars series, drawing Kenzie and the rest of Fifth’s story to a heartbreaking and vengeful conclusion.