sisi zhao

How far would you go to save a stranger? How far would you go to save a friend? Your parents? Your children? And when the world is coming to an end, how far would you go to save their souls--all of them, knowing there’s a price for everything, even though you can simply choose to reset the entire universe?

This romance-free contemporary dark fantasy explores the purpose of life and death through a gripping story of betrayal, loss, hope, love, and sacrifice that embodies the internal conflicts and struggles of women in motherhood.

When thirteen-year-old Mira Murphy is assaulted in the woods, a terrible power awakens in her. Strange events follow, causing mass panic and unprecedented chaos in her town while Mira herself is caught in a strange fever dream that runs in a loop. Two years later, Mira discovers that her parents are withholding a big secret from her, and her trust in them begins to crumble. She then meets Lilith, a girl from China, who soon becomes her best and only friend. Unfortunately, the two girls find themselves trapped in a dark alley one night by a gang of thugs, and the same power awakens in Mira once more, saving Lilith from the gang and bringing the same ill fate upon their town. Having witnessed Mira’s true form, Lilith chooses to believe Mira’s real identity is a mythical being that represents purity and goodness rather than evil. Yet despite Lilith’s unwavering faith in Mira and her role as a savior, Mira can’t help but suspect she is, in fact, the Devil.

After Mira finally confronts her parents about their big secret, a mysterious power reveals itself to her as the owner of one of the three voices she has been hearing in her head. As old memories gradually return, Mira realizes she can no longer hide from the truth.

Meanwhile, a secret organization has finally obtained the mythical Pandora’s box and uncovered the identity of thehope they seek, and plans have been set in motion to secure it at all costs. Before Mira can decide how to tell the truth about herself to Lilith, a company of heavily armed soldiers arrives in her neighborhood, ordering everyone in the area to evacuate immediately. Though both her parents and Lilith are by her side, Mira will soon have to make a series of very difficult choices . . .

Will Mira be able to face the truth and live up to Lilith’s expectation in the end? What is the hidden meaning behind her recurring dreams? What kind of secret is being withheld from her by her parents? Who are the owners of the three voices in her head? Who are the people that are coming after her and why? Who is she, really, and what is her role in this world? And most importantly, will she be able to save the world and everyone she has come to care for--from herself?