William

Becoming a Thane - an elite rebel spy trained to deceive, manipulate, and kill - was Timothy’s life. Then, in a moment, he lost everything. Now Timothy fights for survival and revenge in the Huctan death rings. When his recklessness and skill take him all the way to the Huctan capitol, he finds himself enmeshed in a deadly game of lies and deception. While his brother leads a last rebellion in Botan, Timothy must rub shoulders with the Huctan princess, match wits with the man who betrayed his country, and navigate the plots and tests of loyalty that could decide the fate of his nation.

In the crater of a volcanic island, musical magic and enchanted swordplay rule society. Every seven years, a champion from each caste climbs the tournament ladder for a chance at a new life. This year, three apparent strangers—a sabotaged craftsman trying to save his mentally disabled father, a legendary duelist resisting the machinations of her master, and a janitor fighting an empathy-sapping magical talent—are desperate to reach the final battle.

When the Huctans conscript Timothy into a secret army - and when a girl with a strange set of skills sets him free - an awkward young man gets the chance to become a hero. Throwing himself into the rebel cause, Timothy ignites years of pent-up frustration and futility in an obsessive drive to fight, spy, and deceive better than anyone else. Losing himself in the exhaustion of training and the danger of missions, he finds friendship with a Thane as fanatical as he is and wraps his new identity completely in service to the rebel Band.