You may have superpowers, but that doesn't make you a better person...

Victor and Eli are two eccentric dorm roommates who are united by both their ambition and above-average intellect. For their thesis, they are researching the effects of adrenaline and near-death experiences, up to the disturbing result: under the right conditions, anyone can acquire superhuman abilities. When theory is turned into practice, events take an unexpected and horrific turn.

Ten years later, Victor escapes from prison to track down his former friend-turned-enemy. He is assisted by a young girl who hides her amazing abilities with her aloofness. Meanwhile, Eli will stop at nothing to wipe out superpowered individuals from the face of the earth - except for his partner, a mysterious woman with an iron will. Driven by the pain of betrayal and loss, the arch-enemies on both sides, armed with superhuman powers, prepare to carry out their revenge - but which of them will survive the final confrontation?

The hugely popular V. E. Schwab brings to life in a captivating style a scratchy world without costumes, where superpowers do not automatically make one a good guy, and where everyone must uncover their true motives over time.