Hunger Games meets Divergent in the epic next installment of the number one bestselling Empyrean series. She survived her first year at Basgiath War College . . . but the danger is only beginning. Everyone expected Violet Sorrengail to die during her first year at Basgiath War College; Violet included. But Threshing was only the first impossible test meant to weed out the weak-willed; the unworthy; and the unlucky. Now the real training begins; and Violet's already wondering how she'll get through. It's not just that it's grueling and maliciously brutal; or even that it's designed to stretch the riders' capacity for pain beyond endurance. It's the new vice commandant; who's made it his personal mission to teach Violet exactly how powerless she is - unless she betrays the man she loves. Although Violet's body might be weaker and frailer than everyone else's; she still has her wits; and a will of iron. And leadership is forgetting the most important lesson Basgiath has taught her: Dragon riders make their own rules. But a determination to survive won't be enough this year. Because Violet knows the real secret hidden for centuries at Basgiath War College - and nothing; not even dragon fire; may be enough to save them in the end.