When the barbarian Woade attack her province, Lilith Fabian encourages her father to personally lead the army against them and hand over his duties as governor to her. But Lilith is not the only woman eager to seize the unique opportunities a crisis affords, and she soon finds herself scrambling to stay in power.

Meanwhile, in the Boreal wilds, Primus Seneca is the youngest recruit to the Dead Men, a troop of rebel soldiers hoping to overthrow the imperial government. Burning to prove his worth to his brutal comrades, Primus’ loyalty is put to the test when he uncovers the unsettling truth about the rebel cause.

And in the capital, Mathis Caelo has served for years as the dictator’s brutal henchman. Tired of his master’s yoke and inspired by the charms of an ambitious young businesswoman, Mathis sets out to seize power for himself.

Lilith, Primus, and Mathis soon find themselves fighting for their lives in a world where distant gods stir in the wild and nature itself can rise against the empire.