The Ophis Gambit  (Paperback, Rateeka Karthik)

A thousand years ago, in a world of ordinaries, a snake was bornwith magic. And so began the age of the Illuminaris. Magic once ruled Eirinath-until the powerless found their placein steel and science, and the gifted were cast aside. Now, theIlluminaris and the Koinos stand divided, and the hatredbetween them burns.To keep peace, the king created the Ophis Ordeal-a brutalannual trial that determines who holds power.Seventeen-year-old Prairie Valerian, a Koinos, never intended toenter. But when her gang's survival is threatened, she's forcedinto the trials-where secrets are deadly, and every choice carvesa 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 leftit. He's reckless, unpredictable...and hiding something that couldburn 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.