An instant New York Times bestseller! “Super-charged with electrifying action mind-blowing
twists and timely commentary.” —Xiran Jay Zhao #1 New York Times bestselling author of Iron
Widow From #1 New York Times bestselling author Chloe Gong comes the first book in the
dystopian StrangeLoom trilogy an “adrenaline-fueled mystery” ( School Library Journal
starred review) in which humanity has moved to virtual reality to flee their deteriorating
world following two young soldiers who must depend on unlikely allies in their fight for
survival. The future is loading… To escape rising seas and rampant epidemics most of
society lives “upcountry” in glistening virtual reality while those who can’t afford the
subscription are forced to remain in crumbling “downcountry.” But upcountry isn’t perfect. A
cold war rages between two powerful nations Medaluo and Atahua—and no one suffers for it more
than the Medan orphans in Atahua. Their enrollment at Nile Military Academy is mandatory.
Either serve as a soldier or risk being labelled a spy. Eirale graduated the academy and
joined NileCorp’s private forces downcountry exactly as she was supposed to. Then Atahua’s
most wanted anarchist frames her for assassinating a government official and she’s given a
choice: cooperate with him to search for a dangerous program in Medaluo or go down for treason.
Meanwhile Lia is finishing her last year upcountry at Nile Military Academy. Paired with her
academic nemesis for their final assignment Lia is determined to beat him for valedictorian
and prove her worth. But there may be far more at stake when their task to infiltrate Medaluo
and track down an Atahuan traitor goes wrong… Though Eirale and Lia tear through Medaluo on
different planes of reality the two start to suspect they are puzzle pieces in a larger
conspiracy—and the closer they get to the truth the closer their worlds come to a shattering
collision.
