Any youth may apply to Eshtem University and gain the chance to join an elite Order of dragon-riding, magic-wielding peacekeepers.
Jadon, a privileged and reckless prince, looks forward only to the brief escape from his fatherâs political machinations that his studies offer.
Christina, a princess from a rival House, believes the Order is the greatest force for good the world knows and can imagine no higher honor.
Jenne hates nobles and relishes the opportunity to compete as their equal.
Diar, who is smitten with Jenne, roommates with Jadon, and sworn to Christinaâs House, finds himself increasingly torn between the other three as they train, study, and jockey for position among their peers.
But as evidence of the Orderâs corruption begins to emerge, the students will have to re-examine their assumptions about themselves, each other, and the role they hope to play in the Orderâs future â if they arenât expelled first.