After the Plagues, Ilya turns into a dual society. Elites gifted with powers and the Ordinaries who were not. The king decides his will be an Elites only society and purges all known ordinaries. Paedyn is an ordinary just trying to survive after she sees the king murder her father. But when a chance encounter with the prince (also the kingdom’s enforcer) catapults her to notoriety, she is drafted into the Purging Trials where she will have to battle the elite of the Elites. Can she survive? Will the prince who would be given the charge of her death if he knew help or hunt her? Can these enemies find common ground? Will she be able to break through the walls built by his merciless and torturous father (even towards his own son)? This book is riveting from beginning to end. The way characters have complexities, darkness and light. Paedyn is a strong and bad ass main female character. She is a survivor. But in his way, so is Kai. He is feared and manipulated by so many - even those he trusts. My heart broke for both of them. There are a couple characters I hope to see dealt with in the next book but really I am very anxiously awaiting to return to the world of Paedyn and Kai and even Kitt (brother of Kai and future king). Will these enemies overcome it all and become the lovers and partners they are destined to be?Will the turn of events at end of this book help Paedyn’s people? I need this next book to hurry and come out!