Thunderhead

A year after the previous book, Rowan has gone rogue as a vigilante who hunts corrupt scythes, while Citra works from inside the scythedom as a junior scythe trying to change its culture. Their paths split as the organization grows more divided and dangerous.

This time the story broadens beyond the scythes. New characters and a new perspective add another layer to the world, especially through the Thunderhead, the governing AI that observes everything and cannot freely intervene. Its thoughts and reactions become an important part of the narrative.

As corruption, politics, and competing loyalties intensify, the separate storylines move toward bigger revelations and a rapidly escalating finale. The book builds to a major cliffhanger that leaves the larger conflict unresolved and pushes directly toward the next installment.