Welcome to the Conservatory. After Earth was shattered into surviving pockets across the galaxy, humanity’s most talented young women train at this prestigious celestial boarding school to become the next generation of mech pilots. But these students aren’t soldiers, they’re ballerinas; and the mechs aren’t built for battle, but performance. All engineered in body and mind to entertain a ruling class of cosmic patrons in an annual life-or-death recital of mankind’s only unifying story: the saga of Appolyta the Huntress, a goddess whose pursuit of one last elusive prey ends in heartbreak. This year’s top recruits, the quietly ambitious Mar and rebellious Rhea, endure a cutthroat curriculum to compete for the crowning title of Prima Apparata. As their bond deepens and Mar’s obsessive quest puts her under the wing of Appolyta herself, the line between art and indoctrination blurs—and the great personal cost of perfection will transform their lives. Black Swan and Never Let Me Go meet Pacific Rim in this groundbreaking space opera from rising debut writer Olivia Dufault (Love Ignited, FX’s Legion) and fan-favorite veteran illustrator Rebekah Isaacs (BRZRKR: Fallen Empire, Money Shot)!(W) Olivia Dufault (A) Rebekah Isaacs (CA) Rebekah Isaacs (C) Marissa Louise