Dorothea Atlin is the young, apathetic leader of the neutral territory of Sirpo, a chilly land hovering above the continuously warring factions of Sacer and Ghuria, whose devastating magics have ravaged their people and lands time and time again. Following a shocking attack and a cruel deception, Dorothea grows her conscience and takes up arms, using her self-destructive ability to manipulate the flow of time to ensure Sacer’s victory. Her growing understanding of war and the two factions is guided by Iree Nobelis, the determined and enthralling commander of Sacer’s forces, Ariana Kingfisher, a steely swordswoman of mixed Ghurian and Sacerian descent, and Rhys Tamlin, a kind but haunted soldier who goes to challenge Dorothea’s self-imposed celibacy and join her on a mutual journey of healing from the tragic legacies of the Atlin family and wars between the nations.

Meanwhile, Dorothea’s only friend and deserter from the Sacerian military, Shark Olyen, returns to their homeland to face the family that disowned them and finds more than they bargained for in meeting Cerid Creed, a noble whose duty to his people clashes with his desires in romance and in life, much like Shark’s did long before. As their developing or preexisting loves and differing convictions on how to achieve peace create rifts between these major players, Dorothea experiences a personal revolution that leads her to fight for what she believes is right, no matter the cost.

A slow-burn story that takes time setting up the psychology and motivations of characters for explosive payoff later down the line.

Cover by Ben Arisson, who is also a wonderful author on this website!