Prepare for a ruthless and romantic new fantasy from #1 New York Times bestselling and National Book Award winning author Sabaa Tahir that introduces a new generation of characters set in the same world as the unforgettable An Ember in the Ashes series. *This special paperback edition features printed edges,designed interior coversand character art!* An orphan. An outcast. A prince. And a killer who will bring an empire to its knees. Growing up in the Kegari slumsAIZ has seen her share of suffering. An old tragedy fuels her need for vengeancebut it is love of her people that propels her. Until one hotheaded mistake lands her in an inescapable prisonwhere the embers of her wrath ignite. Banished from her people for an unforgivable crimeSIRSHA is a down-on-her-luck tracker who uses magic to trace her marks. Destituteshe agrees to hunt down a killer who has murdered children across the Martial Empire. All she has to do is carry out the job and get paid. But when a chance encounter leads to an unexpected attractionSirsha learns her mission might cost her far more than sheΓÇÖs willing to give up. QUIL is the crown prince of the Empire and nephew of a venerated empressbut heΓÇÖs loath to take the throne when his aunt steps down. As the son of a reviled emperorhebetter than anyoneunderstands that power corrupts. When a vicious new enemy threatens the survival of the EmpireQuil must ask himself if he can rise above his tragic lineage and be the heir his people need. Beloved storyteller Sabaa Tahir interweaves the lives of three young people as they grapple with powertreacheryloveand the devastating consequences of unchecked greedon a journey that may cost them their livesΓÇöand their hearts. Literally. \