The Federation of Mugen invades Nikan, plunging the nation into war. Rin’s training is put to the test as she faces the brutal realities of combat. 	“War does not determine who is right—only who is left.”

War with the Federation of Mugen

The war’s end leaves Nikan in ruins and Rin grappling with the cost of her actions. Her journey reveals the devastating impact of absolute power. 	“Victory came at the price of her soul.”

The Aftermath of War

Rin plays a crucial role in the defense of Khurdalain. The horrors of war leave her scarred and determined to end the conflict by any means necessary. 	“She would not let the Federation win. She would not let them take everything.”

The Siege of Khurdalain

Rin discovers her shamanic potential, which allows her to communicate with gods. She realizes she can channel the power of the Phoenix, a vengeful fire god. “The gods chose us because we are already mad.”

Discovering Shamanic Abilities

She trains under Jiang, an eccentric professor who helps her understand and control her shamanic abilities, though his methods are unconventional. 	“Jiang taught her to see the world not as it was, but as it could be.”

Training under Jiang

Rin’s journey transforms her from a powerless peasant into a powerful shaman and leader. Her story is one of resilience, sacrifice, and the haunting consequences of power. 	“She was the warlord now, and her enemies would burn.”

Rin’s Transformation

Rin’s complex relationship with Altan, the last of the Speerlies, shapes much of her journey. Their bond is marked by both deep connection and intense conflict. 	“Altan was her anchor and her abyss.”

Rin’s Relationship with Altan

Rin’s struggles intensify as she deals with elitism and harsh training. Her resilience and fierce determination set her apart from her peers. “She had to prove to herself that she belonged there.”

Struggles & Discrimination

Rin’s dedication pays off when she aces the Keju exam, securing a place at the prestigious Sinegard Academy. This achievement marks the beginning of her transformative journey. 	“She had passed the Keju. She had left her village. She was at Sinegard.”

The Keju Examination

Rin becomes the leader of the Cike, a group of shamanic warriors. Her leadership is tested as she grapples with the moral ambiguities of warfare. 	“To be a leader is to choose who lives and who dies.”

Commanding the Cike

Rin learns about the destruction of Speer by the Federation, fueling her rage and desire for retribution. This event becomes a driving force in her quest for power. 	“Speer was gone, but its fire still burned within her.”

The Destruction of Speer

Rin, a war orphan, is adopted by an abusive family of opium dealers in the Rooster Province. Desperate to escape her grim future, she studies rigorously for the Keju, the empire-wide examination. 	“War orphan. Opium peddler. Rural peasant. Sinegard cadet.”

Rin’s Humble Beginnings

1.	Rin’s Humble Beginnings	2.	The Keju Examination	3.	Admission to Sinegard Academy	4.	Struggles and Discrimination	5.	Discovering Shamanic Abilities	6.	Training Under Jiang	7.	War with the Federation of Mugen	8.	The Siege of Khurdalain	9.	Commanding the Cike	10.	The Ankhiluun Massacre	11.	The Role of the Pantheon	12.	Rin’s Relationship with Altan	13.	The Destruction of Speer	14.	Betrayal and Revenge	15.	Embracing the Phoenix	16.	The Aftermath of War	17.	Rin’s Transformation

Topics You’ll Master Today

At Sinegard, Rin faces severe discrimination due to her dark skin and peasant background. Despite these challenges, she remains determined to succeed and prove her worth. 	“She was nobody, but she had worked and fought and bled to get there.”

Admission to Sinegard Academy

Rin fully embraces the Phoenix’s power, despite the destructive consequences. Her transformation is complete as she becomes a force of vengeance. 	“To summon the Phoenix was to court madness, but she had no other choice.”

Embracing the Phoneix

The Pantheon, a council of gods, influences the world of mortals. Rin’s interactions with the gods reveal the complex and often destructive nature of divine power. 	“The gods were not benevolent. They were weapons of mass destruction.”

The Role of the Pantheon

Rin faces betrayal from those she trusts, leading her to embrace darker aspects of her power. Her quest for revenge becomes all-consuming. 	“Betrayal was the truest form of loyalty in a world at war.”

Betrayal & Revenge

6.	Vengeance and Betrayal: Themes of vengeance and betrayal underscore the personal and political conflicts Rin navigates.	7.	Divine Influence: Interactions with the Pantheon reveal the destructive nature of divine power.	8.	Complex Relationships: Her relationships, with Altan, shape her journey and show the cost of war.	9.	Consequences of Power: Embracing the Phoenix’s power leads to both triumph and devastation.	10.	Resilience and Sacrifice: Rin’s story is a testament to resilience and the sacrifices required to achieve and wield power, with a legacy marked by destruction & transformation.

<ol><li>Transformation Journey: Rin’s journey from a powerless war orphan to a powerful shaman and leader is central to the narrative.</li></ol>	2.	Overcoming Adversity: Her success in the Keju & struggles at Sinegard highlight her determination to overcome barriers.	3.	Embracing Power: Discovering & mastering her shamanic abilities showcases her growth and the cost of power.	4.	Leadership Challenges: Leading the Cike & facing moral dilemmas reflect the complexities of leadership in wartime.	5.	Impact of War: The brutal realities and traumas of war deeply affect Rin, driving her actions & decisions.

Rin witnesses the massacre at Ankhiluun, a traumatic event that deepens her hatred for the Federation and solidifies her resolve to seek vengeance. 	“The price of vengeance was always blood.”

The Ankhilunn Massacre

A tale of magic, war, and power: journey with Rin as she transforms from orphan to powerful shaman.

“I have no doubt this will end up being the best fantasy debut of the year [...] I have absolutely no doubt that [Kuang’s] name will be up there with the likes of Robin Hobb and N.K. Jemisin.” -- BooknestA Library Journal, Paste Magazine, Vulture, BookBub, and ENTROPY Best Books pick!Washington Post "5 Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Novel" pick!A Bustle "30 Best Fiction Books" pick!A brilliantly imaginative talent makes her exciting debut with this epic historical military fantasy, inspired by the bloody history of China’s twentieth century and filled with treachery and magic, in the tradition of Ken Liu’s Grace of Kings and N.K. Jemisin’s Inheritance Trilogy.When Rin aced the Keju—the Empire-wide test to find the most talented youth to learn at the Academies—it was a shock to everyone: to the test officials, who couldn’t believe a war orphan from Rooster Province could pass without cheating; to Rin’s guardians, who believed they’d finally be able to marry her off and further their criminal enterprise; and to Rin herself, who realized she was finally free of the servitude and despair that had made up her daily existence. That she got into Sinegard—the most elite military school in Nikan—was even more surprising.But surprises aren’t always good.Because being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south is not an easy thing at Sinegard. Targeted from the outset by rival classmates for her color, poverty, and gender, Rin discovers she possesses a lethal, unearthly power—an aptitude for the nearly-mythical art of shamanism. Exploring the depths of her gift with the help of a seemingly insane teacher and psychoactive substances, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive—and that mastering control over those powers could mean more than just surviving school.For while the Nikara Empire is at peace, the Federation of Mugen still lurks across a narrow sea. The militarily advanced Federation occupied Nikan for decades after the First Poppy War, and only barely lost the continent in the Second. And while most of the people are complacent to go about their lives, a few are aware that a Third Poppy War is just a spark away . . .Rin’s shamanic powers may be the only way to save her people. But as she finds out more about the god that has chosen her, the vengeful Phoenix, she fears that winning the war may cost her humanity . . . and that it may already be too late.