Except her life's a mess. She's friendless, her older sister keeps knocking her teeth out, and her parents constantly argue. Anna endures the chaos by studying for the coming academy entrance trials. A pass will mean friends, warlock tournaments, and exploring a thousand-year-old academy-maybe even solving a mystery or two. But when she discovers her father carries an ancient and powerful secret intended for only daughter-a secret her sister will do anything to possess-Anna finds herself in a desperate fight for her family . . . and her very future.