A dark academia fantasy set at a magical medical school, with murder, magical discovery, and medical exams. Perfect for fans of Olivie Blake's The Atlas Six and R.F. Kuang's Babel

Grey’s Anatomy meets A Deadly Education in this dark academia fantasy from bestselling author Freya Marske.

‘Crackles with Marske’s signature wit . . . A perfect book, as complex and brilliant as a healing array’ – Allison Saft, No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of A Dark and Drowning Tide

At the Academie of the Grand Duchy of Sieuxerr, every mage with the healing gift has five years to master their power and to prepare for the infamous Grand Exam – a five-day trial whose results will determine their entire future.

The list of exam rules includes:
• You will perform five practical cases.
• Your exam group is chosen at random.
• You pass together, or fail together.

It does not include:
• On the first day, your exam group will find Ysabel Caudotte – the undisputed genius of your cohort – dead in the exam hall.

From Clement, the grieving best friend hiding a dark secret, to Estienne, the arrogant son of the Head Healer set to inherit Ysabel’s top rank, this particular group all have something to hide . . . and all have a connection to the dead girl.

Five scholars. Five secrets. Five days in which to solve a murder, pass the most important exam of their lives and uncover a secret larger than all of their own combined. One with the potential to change the world.

Are you ready?

Let’s begin.

‘A captivating murder mystery and take on medical fantasy’ – Shannon Chakraborty, New York Times bestselling author of The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi