Destiny demands sacrifice.
The Crux is unraveling. After the Vychians’ arrival at the Barrens Gate, riots and terror sweep the streets as monsters stir beneath the sands and thousands vanish or lie dead. Fei is thrust into her mother’s place, Damien and the Pentarchs face an army set on domination, and hope flickers only with Thena’s return from her long mourning in Highhearth. Across the Verdant Sea, the crew of the Vauras fall into the hands of brutal captors, praying that the horrors beneath the waves remain buried. And far to the south, Tesador begins the long road toward destiny, guided by allies through trials of power, loss, and love as the ancient designs of Kai’loth tighten around them all.
This is an epic, character-driven fantasy filled with political tension, myth-touched lore, and rising stakes where every decision echoes through the saga. If you enjoy immersive worlds, ensemble casts, and dark, gritty realism, this advance copy is for you.
This is book 2 of The Annals of Tessian, and continues directly after the events of Children of the Dying Hearth. While not intended to be read as a standalone, a brief Preface page is included for ARC readers.
