Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Three teens game an unforgiving magic system in this high fantasy YA, the first in an epic trilogy inspired by Indian philosophy. For fans of An Ember in the Ashes and Avatar: The Last Airbender
Aina's world is governed by Toranic Law--a force that segregates people into upper and lower realms based on the weight of their souls. It's said that if the sinful lower-borns commit themselves to kindness and charity, their souls will lighten and allow them into the peaceful upper realms.
But Aina, one of the few lower-borns to ever ascend, just wants to go back home.
Aina hates the pomp of the upper realms, and she's desperate to reunite with her mother, hoping she's survived the beasts and wars of the lower realms alone. After trying, and failing, to weigh down her soul with petty crimes, Aina joins a rebel group bringing aid to the unfortunate--those ignored by the authorities and condemned, from birth, to a life of suffering under the Toranic system. Alongside Aina are two other new recruits: Meizan, a rough fighter hoping to save his clan, and Aranel, a spoiled noble sent by the powers that be as a spy.
Before long, the rebels find themselves in the middle of a brewing war: On one side, a violent king is bent on destroying Toranic Law; on the other, the authorities of the upper realms will do anything to stay on top. Now the young rebels must face both sides head-on if they want to stop a conflict that could break not only Toranic Law--but the universe itself.
Synopsis
Magnificent beasts. Hard Magic. Epic Battles. An Ember in the Ashes meets Avatar: The Last Airbender in this not-to-be-missed high fantasy debut, the first book in a trilogy inspired by Indian philosophy.
Aina's world is governed by Toranic Law, a force that segregates people into upper and lower realms. It's said that if the sinful lowers commit themselves to kindness and charity, their souls will lighten, allowing them into the peaceful upper realms.
But Aina, one of the few lowers to ever ascend, just wants to go back home.
Aina is desperate to reunite with her mother, hoping she's survived the beasts and wars of her homeland alone. After failing to weigh down her soul with petty crimes, Aina joins a rebel group defying the authorities and bringing aid to those condemned to a life of suffering in the lower realms. Alongside Aina are two new recruits: Meizan, a rowdy fighter hoping to find his clan, and Aranel, a spoiled noble spying for the powers that be.
Before long, the rebels find themselves in the middle of a brewing war. On one side, a violent king is bent on destroying Toranic Law; on the other, the authorities of the upper realms will do anything to stay on top. Now the young rebels must face both sides head-on if they want to stop a conflict that could break not only Toranic Law--but the universe itself.
Synopsis
Magnificent Beasts. Unforgiving Magic. Epic Battles. An Ember in the Ashes meets Avatar: The Last Airbender in this propulsive, not-to-be-missed high fantasy debut loosely inspired by karma.
Aina's world is governed by Toranic Law, a force that segregates people into upper and lower realms. It's said that if the sinful lowers commit themselves to kindness and charity, their souls will lighten, allowing them into the peaceful upper realms.
But Aina, one of the few lowers to ever ascend, just wants to go back home.
Aina is desperate to reunite with her mother, hoping she's survived the beasts and wars of her homeland alone. After failing to weigh down her soul with petty crimes, Aina joins a rebel group defying the authorities and bringing aid to those condemned to a life of suffering in the lower realms. Alongside Aina are two new recruits: Meizan, a ruthless fighter trying to save his clan from extinction, and Aranel, a spoiled noble spying for the powers that be.
Before long, the rebels find themselves in the middle of a brewing war. On one side, a violent king of a lower realm is bent on destroying Toranic Law; on the other, the authorities of the upper realms will do anything to stay on top. Now the young rebels must face both sides head-on if they want to stop a conflict that could break not only Toranic Law--but the universe itself.
Synopsis
A propulsive high-fantasy YA debut set a world inspired by karma, where three teens encounter magnificent beasts, unforgiving magic, and epic battles "Evocative of Sanderson, Pullman, and Fullmetal Alchemist, yet at the same time shockingly original." --Rosaria Munda, author of Fireborne
Aina's world is governed by Toranic Law, a force that segregates people into upper and lower realms. It's said that if the sinful lowers commit themselves to kindness and charity, their souls will lighten, allowing them into the peaceful upper realms.
But Aina, one of the few lowers to ever ascend, just wants to go back home.
Aina is desperate to reunite with her mother, hoping she's survived the beasts and wars of her homeland alone. After failing to weigh down her soul with petty crimes, Aina joins a rebel group defying the authorities and bringing aid to those condemned to a life of suffering in the lower realms. Alongside Aina are two new recruits: Meizan, a ruthless fighter trying to save his clan from extinction, and Aranel, a spoiled noble spying for the powers that be.
Before long, the rebels find themselves in the middle of a brewing war. On one side, a violent king of a lower realm is bent on destroying Toranic Law; on the other, the authorities of the upper realms will do anything to stay on top. Now the young rebels must face both sides head-on if they want to stop a conflict that could break not only Toranic Law--but the universe itself.