Julia Lazarrett is a strictly practical and patriotic young woman living in the militaristic nation of Kalgratt, where she values order and logic above all else. Her life is upended when her impulsive best friend, Kamille, drags her to the mysterious Gremminger Traveling Troupe circus. After a tragic accident leads to Julia’s untimely death, she is brought back to life through a dark, magical contract.

Now an immortal member of the circus, Julia discovers that "magic" is a terrifying reality used to bind the troupe together. To regain her humanity and freedom, she must navigate a world of illusions, secret identities, and political corruption—all while grappling with the horrifying terms of her contract: she must find a way to kill the seemingly invincible and enigmatic circus leader, Anthonn Gremminger.