SPIN OF FATE

Three teens questioning their own beliefs of the universe challenge a system of stratification.

During Kal Ekana, there existed one realm in which all humans were mortal and given equal chances. Then came the Great Toranic Separation, which divided the world into four realms: two upper and two lower. People believe that the path to ascending realms relies on good deeds and a soul cleansed of sin. Aina, a lower who unexpectedly ascends to Mayana, yearns to reunite with her mother, who must remain in their treacherous home realm, according to Toranic Law. After several failed attempts to reach her, Aina is recruited into the Balancers, a rebel group of uppers who purposely descend into Malin to provide aid to lowers. She’s joined by Aranel, a Mayana royal guard who’s spying on the Balancers for his superior, and Meizan, a fierce Malini who may be the last surviving member of his clan. Impending war looms in the distance as all three recruits discover confounding truths about Balancer leader Zenyra, the Preservation of the upper realms, and the universe they live in. Vora lends equal weight to each protagonist’s purpose and point of view. Despite their differing origins and motivations, their stories intricately converge, and their choices affect one another and the fate of the realms. Epic battles, a distinctive magic system, and moral ambiguity will engage fantasy readers seeking a new high-stakes adventure. The characters are varied in physical appearance.

An exhilarating series opener.