Alise, an inmate at an asylum for the criminally insane, wants nothing more than a life of freedom in the forest she loves. Charged with the murder of her lover, Alise is convinced she has been framed. Motivated by this belief she manipulates, cheats and steals her way out only to be captured by a mysterious acquaintance, who claims his intentions align with her own. Together, they embark on a path of betrayal that distorts the very fabric of her reality. Alise is thrown into a realm unlike anything she's ever imagined. A world of opulent balls and fanciful inventions that defy the laws of science. As an outlawed trespasser, she must choose between a certain death or accepting aid from The Colony's most feared lieutenant-the very man who betrayed her heart. Bound by their shared secret, they are forced to work together and play their roles perfectly lest they be discovered and executed for their crimes. Will Alise ever be free and return to her beloved forest? Or will she be swallowed whole by this strange new world? is a mind-bending journey between fantasy and reality where new worlds are discovered in a distant reflection of our own. Perfect for fans of V.E. Schwab, Stephanie Garber and Erin Morgenstern.