Shamanborn

Sirscha Ashwyn comes from nothing, but she's intent on becoming something. After years of training to become the queen's next royal spy, her plans are derailed when shamans attack and kill her best friend, Saengo. And then Sirscha, somehow, restores Saengo to life. Unveiled as the first soulguide in living memory, Sirscha is summoned to the domain of the Spider King. For centuries, he has used his influence over the Dead Wood - an ancient forest possessed by souls - to enforce peace between the kingdoms.

The Soulless is free from his centuries-long imprisonment. Now, he lurks in the Dead Wood recovering his strength, while Sirscha and her allies journey east to the shaman empire of Nuvalyn. Everyone believes she is a soulguide - a savior - but Sirscha knows the truth. She’s a monster, a soulrender like the Soulless, and if anyone discovers the truth, she'll be executed. But there’s nothing Sirscha won’t risk to stop the shaman responsible for the rot that’s killing her best friend.

Sirscha has returned to Evewyn, only to discover that everyone believes she killed the queen and that she’s the new king’s Shadow. These rumors have made people fear her, but it’s not the rumors that concern her—it’s finding out what the Soulless is going to do next so she can finally destroy him. Everyone might believe she’s a monster, but Sirscha knows who the real evil is, and she refuses to let him destroy their world.