A godtouched arbiter of justice and his prickly new conscript unravel a conspiracy that could bring down everything they stand for in the first of a clever and cutting queer epic fantasy series about autonomy, justice, and trauma for fans of Martha Wells and Robert Jackson Bennett.

In the Jaosi Empire, magic is gifted by the gods: a blessed reward for the worthy devout. But not for Kas. Twice, the gods have come uninvited, investing him with their power at the worst moments of his life, and twice, Kas has refused to serve.

When three teenagers go missing in the poorest part of Jahovai, where neither the city guards nor the Measure bother to pursue justice, Kas knows that if he doesn't find them, no one will. But when his search goes devastatingly wrong, a third god visits him-and in the aftermath, Kas is conscripted to the Measure.

Peacekeeper and investigator Nema is tasked with inducting Kas into his new life. A nobleman who represents everything Kas despises, Nema nonetheless offers to help his new partner find the missing boys as a gesture of goodwill.

But the search soon turns ugly, pointing to corruption at the highest levels. Nema and Kas must learn to cooperate, and fast: together, they may uncover the truth, but the more they learn, the more they have to lose . . .