An instantNew York Timesbestseller!

From #1New York Timesbestselling author Chloe Gong comesthe start of a daring new dystopian series where humanity has moved to virtualreality to flee their deteriorating world, following two young soldiers whomust depend on unlikely allies in their fight for survival.

The future is loading

To escape rising seas and rampant epidemics, most of society lives upcountryin glistening virtual reality, while those who cant afford the subscriptionare forced to remain in crumbling downcountry.

But upcountry isnt perfect. A cold war rages between two powerful nations,Medaluo and Atahuaand no one suffers for it more than the Medan orphans inAtahua. Their enrollment at Nile Military Academy is mandatory. Either serve asa soldier, or risk being labelled a spy.

Eirale graduated the academy and joined NileCorps private forces downcountry,exactly as she was supposed to. Then Atahuas most wanted anarchist frames herfor assassinating a government official, and shes given a choice: cooperatewith him to search for a dangerous program in Medaluo or go down for treason.

Meanwhile, Lia is finishing her last year upcountry at Nile Military Academy.Paired with her academic nemesis for their final assignment, Lia is determinedto beat him for valedictorian and prove her worth. But there may be far more atstake when their task to infiltrate Medaluo and track down an Atahuan traitorgoes wrong

Though Eirale and Lia tear through Medaluo on different planes of reality, thetwo start to suspect they are puzzle pieces in a larger conspiracyand thecloser they get to the truth, the closer their worlds come to a shatteringcollision.

About the Author

Chloe Gong is the #1New York Timesbestsellingauthor of the critically acclaimed Secret Shanghai novels, as well as the Fleshand False Gods trilogy.

Her books have been published in over twenty countries andhave been featured in theNew York Times,People,Cosmopolitan,andmore.

She was named one ofForbess 30 Under 30 for2024. Chloe graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree inEnglish and international relations. Born in Shanghai and raised in Auckland,New Zealand, she is now located in New York City, pretending to be a realadult.