The thrilling sequel to award-winning author Bradley P. Beaulieu's epic fantasy series, The Book of the Holt. Long ago, the elder gods devised a brutal contest -- a game of ascension, where contestants gained power by killing their own. The prize? Godhood. Now, that game is stirring once again. In the wake of the great battle at Ancris, the capital lies in ruins -- and Faedryn, the trickster god, is closer than ever to escaping his prison. While inquisitor Lorelei races to uncover the ancient truths that might stop him, Rylan is entangled in his own crisis. The artifact he stole, the key to Faedryn's freedom, is no longer a secret.

Every faction in the empire, from the imperial dragon legions to the ruthless Red Knives, are hunting him. But Rylan soon learns there is something worse than being caught -- losing the shard altogether. As Lorelei and Rylan struggle to undo the damage, they uncover a chilling truth: even if Faedryn remains imprisoned, the elder gods' game may already be underway.