"War does not determine who is right—only who is left."
R.F. Kuang’s blistering debut introduces us to Rin, an orphan war refugee who claws her way out of poverty by securing a spot at Sinegard, the elite military academy of the Nikan Empire. What begins as a classic, grueling academy-underdog story rapidly descends into a harrowing, brutal epic fantasy inspired by 20th-century Asian history.
As an impending invasion looms over the empire, Rin discovers that she possesses a dangerous, god-given affinity for shamanism. Kuang does not shy away from the horrific realities of war, exploring complex themes of power, survival, and the devastating moral compromises required when total destruction is the only alternative to defeat.
A stunning, emotionally heavy masterpiece that redefines modern grimdark fantasy.