Book Description

*Winner, Readers' Favorite International Book Awards, Honorable Mention, Young Adult Epic Fantasy* Deep in enemy territory, a sudden change of mission could seal Van’s fate. At seventeen, Vanessa Cross has lived a somewhat charmed life—aware life can be unfair but never feeling deeply the cruel bite of injustice. Until now. Now, it seems everywhere she turns, undeserved karma is slapping her in the face. The Jaychund games—a vital part of senior exams—should’ve been an effortless victory. Instead, the last minute-addition of an off-islander tripped her up. So, losing her temper? Completely justifiable. Her ex-boyfriend and her best friend are flirting right under her nose. She hasn’t heard a word from her crush Ferox, prince of the bloodthirsty Balish, in ages. And now Van’s leading her team on a mission deep into Balish territory to check the third seal—and her powers are on the fritz! Then she breaks one tiny Balish rule, and as punishment she’s tossed headlong into another round of games. See? Totally unfair. Old enemies, a deadly virus, royal intrigues, cloaked assassins—and the sudden realization that someone has sent Van there for an entirely different reason—threaten to send her life plan up in flames. If she fails, only the Creator knows if Van and her team will get out of this mess alive.