Ash of Pactarium

In a world where magic is inhaled and power costs your soul, one girl must choose between becoming a weapon or losing herself forever. Talia has nothing-no family, no past, no future. Until a letter arrives from Altem Academy, the most dangerous magical institution in existence. Hidden deep within a mountain fortress, the Academy promises power bey… In a world where magic is inhaled and power costs your soul, one girl must choose between becoming a weapon or losing herself forever. Talia has nothing-no family, no past, no future. Until a letter arrives from Altem Academy, the most dangerous magical institution in existence. Hidden deep within a mountain fortress, the Academy promises power beyond imagination. The price? Just breathe in the ash. But the ash speaks. It whispers promises. It devours memories. And it binds riders to biomechanical dragons forged from the bodies of the dead. As Talia bonds with Raan-a creature that was once human-she discovers the Academy's darkest secret: every contract with the Pactarium, their machine-god, erases another piece of who you are. Students forget their names. Pilots become monsters. And the dragons? They remember everything their riders lose. When she meets Lirean, the only pilot who refuses to submit, Talia faces an impossible choice. Join the rebellion and risk everything. Or surrender to the voice in the ash that promises to make her invincible-if she's willing to forget who she loves. Perfect for fans of: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas A breathtaking dark academia fantasy featuring: ✓ Enemies-to-lovers slow burn romance ✓ Morally gray characters and impossible choices ✓ Biomechanical dragons with a devastating twist ✓ Magic systems with terrible costs ✓ Found family and underground rebellion ✓ Gothic atmosphere meets steampunk technology Readers are saying: "If Leigh Bardugo and V.E. Schwab had a book baby raised by Pierce Brown..." "The magic system alone is worth the price-I've never read anything like it." "That plot twist about the dragons... I'm still not okay." Content Warning: This dark fantasy contains violence, death, memory loss, body horror elements, and intense emotional situations. Recommended for mature YA r