Starside

Hundreds of years ago, a brutal war split a land in two. Starside is the realm of magic and immortals--the descendants of the gods, living in a power-rich paradise. Stormside is where mortals fight for scraps of that magic. Every fifty years, the gates between them open, and fifty challengers are allowed to journey across Starside on a deadly quest to access a pool of magic that can heal, grant wealth, or extend life. Everyone has their reasons for entering, but Aris has only one: vengeance. As a child, a goddess set fire to her village, killing her family. Aris isn`t after the gods` magic--she`s going to kill them. First, she must survive the Culling, the king`s deadly competition to choose his fifty challengers. An orphaned blacksmith`s apprentice, Aris doesn`t have the superior weapons of the heirs from the Great Houses. But the greatest swords--ones that contain power--are not inherited or bought, they are claimed, by both sides. And when Aris claims a great sword, it makes her not just a real competitor--but a target. Getting past the gates is only the beginning. Starside is deadlier than it seems. If the ancient creatures, magic-wielding beasts, and bloodthirsty immortals weren`t dangerous enough, a new peril has even immortals fearing what rises from the ground at night. With a blade most would kill to claim, Aris can`t trust anyone. Especially not Harlan Raker, the merciless and mysterious king`s guard who betrayed her years ago--and who may now be the key to her survival. But Aris is hiding a secret tied to her family`s death. And when it`s revealed, not even the gods will be able to stop what`s coming...