Mary’s story should have ended the night she died. Instead, it was only the beginning.

She awakens in a strange and punishing afterlife — a realm where the condemned are sent to suffer for their sins. Torn away from her sister by those who judged their souls, Mary learns there is only one way to challenge this judgment: survive the Seven Trials of the Soul.

Each trial is its own unforgiving realm, a battle of mind, body, and spirit. From sacrifice to mercy, from endurance to the will to survive, every test is designed to break her resolve and prove her soul beyond redemption. Fail, and she will be trapped here forever. Succeed, and her sister’s soul will be saved.

Two beings follow her every step.
An angel who tries to shield her but hides a dark truth.
A demon who treats her struggle like a cruel game, waiting for the moment her spirit breaks.

In a world where loyalty can be a weapon and trust a dangerous gamble, Mary must decide how much of herself she is willing to risk. The trials will push her beyond her limits, and the cost of failure is everything she has left to fight for.

For fans of dark immersive fantasy like Nevernight, The Poppy War, and Kingdom of the Wicked — but with an even stronger emotional core, an angel‑vs‑demon power struggle, and high‑stakes trials that test every part of the soul.

Tropes in this 93,000‑word dark fantasy novel (Book One of a Trilogy):
✔ Deadly trials with psychological and physical tests
✔ Angels and demons
✔ Themes of sacrifice, mercy, and endurance
✔ Slow‑burn romance over the course of three books
✔ Dark fantasy atmosphere with horror undertones

Connect with the author on Instagram → @k.loral.books
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