No Place in Heaven

In the Ascendant Peacekeeping Guild of Ethèria, where oases float above the wasted earth, the only problems are the ones sparked by the brutish Deadlanders below. So every Ascendant, once proven worthy, is Blessed by the immortal Guild Father with a supernatural ability that helps them quell the Deadlanders' disputes, divide resources fairly, and stop wars - all without being seen. Ethèria itself is a paradise.

Not for seventeen-year-old Quinlan Petrix, a traitor's son. Born and raised in the Ascendant Guild and yet to receive a Blessing, Quinlan blames his mother's betrayal of the Guild ten years ago. When he's assigned an undercover mission to the Deadlands because he blends in with the Deadlanders, he's pissed but determined to undo the damage his mother has done. He joins the Guild's best Silencer - assassin is such an unpleasant word - on a trip below the clouds where a rebel organization against the Guild leader has taken root. If he can nip the rebellion in the bud and restore order, maybe he'll be granted the Blessing he's always wanted, along with a true place in the Guild.

But it turns out that the Deadlanders aren't brutes at all, and the Guild leaders are exploitative bastards who wring others dry so they can sustain Ethèria. The Father's next plan? Binding the Ascendants to his will as their "Blessings" grow out of their control and take over their minds. The "Blessing" meant for Quinlan is the worst curse of all, thanks to his mother's secret past and lineage. If Quinlan can't successfully play double-agent and facilitate the revolt against the Guild leaders, they'll use him to destroy both worlds he has come to know, including the only real friends Quinlan has ever had.

Well, heaven's overrated anyway.