Sixteen-year-old Tashi has spent their life training as a inhabitor, a soldier who spies and kills using a bonded animal. When the capital falls after a brutal siege, Tashi flees to a remote monastery to hide. But the invading army turns the monastery into a hospital, and Tashi catches the eye of Xian, the regiment\u2019s fearless young commander.<\/p>\n

Tashi spies on Xian\u2019s every move. In front of his men, Xian seems dangerous, even sadistic, but Tashi discovers a more vulnerable side of the enemy commander\u2014a side that draws them to Xian.<\/p>\n

When their spying unveils that everything they\u2019ve been taught is a lie, Tashi faces an impossible choice: save their country or the boy they\u2019re growing to love. Though Tashi grapples with their decision, their volatile bonded tiger doesn’t question her allegiances. Katala slaughters Xian\u2019s soldiers, leading the enemy to hunt her. But an inhabitor\u2019s bond to their animal is for life\u2014if Katala dies, so will Tashi.<\/p>\n

Representation Includes<\/h4>\n

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• Genderfluid Asian protagonist<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
  Content Warnings<\/div>

  Murder, torture, mild gore, violence, misgendering, animal death <\/div>