Two years after the battle on the Denison, the war with the Coalition is almost over. Both sides have been decimated, but with the Dragone dead and the Madri’s hold weakening, Maderlav stands a chance of finally ending the war. All that’s needed is a final strike, and the Coalition will come crumbling down.

When the opportunity presents itself, Rose and Quinn brave perilous seas to infiltrate the Coalition stronghold of Gilinow. Together with Taegen, the fire-wielding elf of ancient and noble lineage, and the inimitable Alder, Rose’s kalina-berry boy, they take on shadow-realms, vestige-gods, and blood edicts to bring the war to an end. But whether they’re successful depends not just on how well they wield their magic, but on how convincingly they can play their parts—and how closely they hold to shadow.