Rubem has become the voice of the auroras—of their rage, at least. 

Between his threats and Tavish’s diplomacy, most of the world is finally listening. But pockets of denial linger, including the Findlays’ old trading partner, the self-governing city of Venalt. While Venalt was once a thriving metropolis of watery channels and garden balconies, now its dying aurora is the only thing holding back the sea monsters that threaten to sink the city.

As Rubem navigates Venalt’s stubborn government factions and apocalyptic prophecies, he discovers that someone in power wants the city destroyed—and they’re willing to kill its aurora protector to see their plans through. Rubem is quickly becoming all that stands in their way, but he seems always one step behind and never quite strong enough. 

And like the world’s auroras, he’s growing weaker by the day…

CONTENT WARNINGS:

• Alcohol consumption and active monitoring of a known alcoholic tendency.
• General fantasy violence with one scene including fantasy gore.
• Terminal illness

REPRESENTATION:

Main character, Rubem: biracial Black man, gay, chronically depressed, alcoholic, impending fatal illness, genderqueer (only vaguely touched on i explored until later books).

Love interest, Tavish: bisexual, trans man, blind, anxiety disorder, parental trauma (unrelated to gender or blindness).

Other majorly featured rep: chronic/fatal illness, multiple non-binary characters, multiple character of color/biracial characters, autistic-implied character, wheelchair-using species.