From acclaimed fantasy author Mindee Arnett comes an epic adventurous story of a young
mercenary magic-user trying to escape the oppressive island of Riven?and a young noblewoman
trying to change it forever. Mars Darksvane wants out. Out from under the thumb of Una the
crime boss who pulled him off the streets as a child and trained him as an assassin out from
the island country of Riven where magic in the form of a dangerous material called Ice
allows the rich to live in luxury and keeps the poor in thrall. Mars is a secret adept?a person
born with the ability to channel the magic that flows beneath Riven?and while his power gives
him abilities useful to an assassin it also makes him a target. And when his last mission ends
in tragedy Mars finally decides it's time to escape to the mainland. No magic no history a
new life on his own. But Una has other ideas. If Mars wants his freedom he's going to have to
perform a final job: protecting Fura Torvald?the heiress of the rich and powerful Torvald kith
and the daughter of the last man Mars was sent to kill?and stealing from her a mysterious
object known only as the Primer. Mars has no interest in Fura or whatever the Primer is nor in
Riven's corrupt and oppressive politics he just wants to do his job and get out. But as Mars
comes to know more about Fura the Primer and the true nature of the power in Riven he
realizes that he will soon have to take a side in a fight he has avoided his entire life. Which
side however he does not yet know.
