A woman is torn between her family and the draws of a new, villainous colony in this epic, fast paced space opera by award nominated author Ciel Pierlot. A perfect read for fans of Arkady Martine.

Luzia N.E. Drainway never concerned herself with the fey Astrosi. They lurk above and below the Bastion – a giant multileveled megalopolis that is her world – and they tend to keep to themselves. On the rare occasions they use their magics to meddle with human affairs, anyone with an ounce of sense steers clear. Luzia is too dedicated to the rigorous work of maintaining Bastion to pay them much attention.

Everything changes when a rogue Astrosi, the nefarious trickster named Carrion, kidnaps her nephew and sells him to the Eoi, one of the Astrosi courts. To save him Luzia must make a twisted contract; trading her life for her nephew’s and entering the service of the Eoi.

What are the Astrosi’s secrets? Why did Carrion leave her that cryptic message? Luzia embarks on a terrifying quest, a journey to the mystery at the core of the Bastion.