The Fraying of Magic Paperback (Starsea Cycle Prequel)

When magic itself becomes a curse, can anyone survive the truth?

Vivienne Desai has spent her life in her twin sister's shadow, but at the legendary Volsung Academy, she finally has a chance to prove herself. The most prestigious magical school in the galaxy promises to unlock her potential and teach her to wield the Aspects, the mysterious force that allows for the manipulation of reality itself.

But something is wrong at Volsung. Students whisper of a creeping affliction called "the fraying," a madness that consumes mages from within. When violence erupts on Vivienne's first night, she realizes the Academy's halls harbor deadly secrets.

As the school fractures between those seeking ancient solutions and those demanding restraint, Vivienne must navigate treacherous politics while mastering powers she barely understands. With her sister rising through the ranks and the Academy's leadership lacking answers, Vivienne finds herself caught between competing visions for the future of magic.

Some secrets are too dangerous to ignore, and Vivienne may discover she's more connected to the Academy's dark mysteries than anyone—including herself—ever imagined.