Hana Lee’s gritty, queer Mad Max–inspired fantasy trilogy continues with the second installment that includes just as many friendly (and unfriendly) monsters, high-stakes political intrigue, and a high-speed motorcycle adventure to find the source of a disappearing magic.

Jin-Lu knows she should be happy. Princess Yi-Nireen of Kerina Rut and Prince Kadrin of Kerina Sol have united after ten long years, having survived a near-apocalypse at the hands of Yi-Nireen’s relative. They are happy and in love—thanks to Jin—and they want her to join them at their upcoming nuptials in Kerina Sol.

But happiness always comes at cost.

Jin has left Yi-Nireen and Kadrin’s ivory tower, hiding a secret: her ability to use mana was lost in the fallout of saving the world, and she can no longer ride a magebike. And the deadly mana storms ravaging the cities dotting the wasteland should’ve gotten better after the averted disaster, but they’ve only gotten worse. Kerina Lav, one of the last outposts, has fallen, leaving tens of thousands seeking sanctuary with its two neighbors.

To save their own people and the refugees of Kerina Lav, the group will have to go back to Yi-Nireen’s cruel-hearted, terrifying father with a request he is sure to deny. But can they find another way to restore power and peace before humanity—magic and non-magic alike—crumbles to dust?

Hana Lee is a biracial Korean American writer who also builds software for a living. She has an undying love for fantastical stories in all their forms, especially video games, and a habit of writing to moody indie rock playlists. Her short writing has appeared in Fantasy Magazine and Uncanny Magazine. She lives in California with her partner and two beloved cats.