In a world where the magic Gifted oppress the Commonborn, a spirited inventor’s daughter must join forces with a stiff, new lieutenant to save the Republic of Steam.

With a family legacy that invented steam power and founded the Republic, everyone thought Amelia Steam would accomplish the next impossible thing. Now everyone believes she burned down her family’s company, killed her parents, and obliterated her family name. Hoping to redeem herself, she works outside the Republic as an undercover agent. But as soon as her big break appears, she’s forced to work with Ander Blackwell—a frustrating soldier who’s as stiff as a board.

Ander has his own challenges. Although he’s the top-of-his-class graduate from the Steam military academy, he’s one failure away from being discharged from what he's prepared his whole life for. This is why when his commander asks him to step far out of his element and retrieve a secret message at a masquerade ball, his only answer was “yes.” There he collides with Amelia, who seems to have no regard for authority or teamwork.

At the ball, they discover a dangerous plot that could destroy the entire Republic. The discovery changes everything. Somehow, the two must overcome their differences to face an enemy with greater intel, more numbers, magically enhanced soldiers, power over the elements, and a psychotic assassin. Their only assets are a small airship crew and every ounce of teamwork, innovation, and moxie they can muster. Will it be enough? Or will this be another failure that costs the lives of thousands of Commonborns?