From New York Times bestselling author Jay Kristoff comes a dangerous new fantasy world & a heroine edged in darkness Mia Corvere is only ten years old when she is given her first lesson in death Destined to destroy empires the child raised in shadows made a promise on the day she lost everything to avenge herself on those that shattered her world But the chance to strike against such powerful enemies will be fleeting & Mia must become a weapon without equal Before she seeks vengeance she must seek training among the infamous assassins of the Red Church of Itreya Inside the Church's halls Mia must prove herself against the deadliest of opponents & survive the tutelage of murderers liars & daemons at the heart of a murder cult The Church is no ordinary school But Mia is no ordinary student The Red Church is no ordinary school but Mia is no ordinary student The shadows love her And they drink her fear