Lyra Thornwind, a young woman from a seaside village, finds herself unexpectedly thrown into the savage world of Ironhold’s gladiatorial arenas and must survive the brutal spectacle of combat. But when she reveals an extraordinary ability to commune with beasts, she captures the dangerous attention of nobility and fellow gladiators alike, including kindred spirit Rowan, and the arrogant but ambitious Alaric. As alliances form and rivalries ignite, Lyra’s fight extends beyond the arena—battling for her life, her friends, and the distant hope of freedom.