On the floating island of Volturnus, sixteen-year-old Effie Strait aches for a freedom she may never claim . In a world ruled by the enigmatic Celestials, only the Gifted can ascend to the skies as True Pilots, forging bonds with the mighty Leviathans. Effie's older sister, Vanna, is the pride of Volturnus-a fearless dragoon and newly minted lieutenant-yet it is Effie who burns with ambition, even as her own Gift remains stubbornly absent. When Effie's closest friend, Kai, suddenly manifests his powers and is swept into Vanna's orbit, Effie's longing curdles into desperation. Her quest for recognition draws her into the dangerous intrigues of the island's Patrician elite and the forbidden rituals of the wild jungle, where mortal ambition demands a price in blood. Meanwhile, Vanna is thrust into a rebellion that exposes the Celestials' true designs, forcing her to choose between loyalty and justice. As the sisters' paths diverge-one chasing power at any cost, the other risking everything to protect her home-their bond is tested by betrayal, sacrifice, and the shadow of a coming war. In a sky fractured by rebellion and inequality, how far will ambition carry a girl who refuses to be left behind? "A wholly absorbing, otherworldly tale of family, magic, and astonishing creatures." - Kirkus Reviews "A wholly absorbing, otherworldly tale of family, magic, and astonishing creatures." -- Kirkus Reviews "This is a politically intriguing and morally challenging story, a coming-of-age, a reckoning with colonialism and corruption-and it's rooted in authentic sibling energy... Author Z. Bennett Lorimer's glittering high-fantasy world mirrors ours with remarkable emotional impact. I frequently paused in awe of the author's vivid descriptions... Z. Bennett Lorimer has a gift for not only imagining spectacular, staggering drama, but writing these moments with searing emotion... I'll be thinking about every possible angle-knowing that author Z. Bennett Lorimer will certainly continue to shock both his characters and his readers in unimaginable ways-while I wait for the urgently-needed, well-earned sequel." -- Independent Book Review "An imaginative coming-of-age adventure that soars with epic potential for an entire series. Riveting and unpredictable, this genre-blurring read synthesizes a spectrum of timeless themes and adventurous motifs. The originality of the plot and richly developed characters keep this book from feeling at all derivative, and the prose is clean and clever, allowing Lorimer's linguistic dexterity to shine. All in all, this opening installment sets a magnificent stage for a vibrant series, ending with a major twist that will leave readers eager for the sequel." -- SPR , ★★★★1/2