A thousand years ago, in a world of ordinaries, a snake was born with magic. And so began the age of the Illuminaris.

Magic once ruled Eirinath-until the powerless found their place in steel and science, and the gifted were cast aside. Now, the Illuminaris and the Koinos stand divided, and the hatred between them burns.
To keep peace, the king created the Ophis Ordeal-a brutal annual trial that determines who holds power.
Seventeen-year-old Prairie Valerian, a Koinos, never intended to enter. But when her gang's survival is threatened, she's forced into the trials-where secrets are deadly, and every choice carves a new scar.
Beside her is Rhyden Thalos-all sharp smiles, storm-dark eyes, and the kind of danger that lingers in a room long after he's left it. He's reckless, unpredictable...and hiding something that could burn them all.

Can Prairie survive a war she never asked for?
Or will the trials destroy them first?

After all, those born ordinary rewrite the world.