As a traditional Quelmirian villager, Vivianna longs for something that will finally make her special. Instead, she finds a job at the palace serving the royal family. But life at the palace takes a turn when the King of Quelmir is murdered in cold blood. Vivianna quickly finds herself entangled in a dangerous game of political intrigue, where the King’s ward and his lover have secrets to hide, an airship pirate and the Prince’s best friend have a past, and the attention of the Prince could land her in prison. In Book One of the Quelmirian Duology, Vivianna learns that there are two sides to every story, including her own, and not all of them have happy endings.

Betrayed by the person they trusted the most, Vivianna and her friends have no choice but to flee Quelmir on Reeve’s airship. With grief heavy on their shoulders, no allies, and no plan, they seek solace on the Baylan Isles, the only place they know Kallimene won’t follow. But on the Isles, they find more than safety—they find healing, friendship, and the courage to save Quelmir. To defeat the traitor on the throne, all of them will be tested, Vivianna most of all. Will the gods grant her the power to help save the ones she loves, or will Quelmir fall into ruin?