Silvester Carthage, illustionist and engineer, has the eccentric imagination the Menagerie needs to succeed creatively--but none of the people skills. Fast-talking Arbrook Huxley, meanwhile, has all the saavy the Menagerie needs to succeed commercially--but none of the scruples. To save their show, Carthage & Huxley stake everything in a royal talent competition, vying for the once-in-a-lifetime to perform for the future Celestial Queen. In this stardust-and-spark-powered empire of floating islands and flying trains, the Menagerie's bid at fame and fortune means weathering the glamorous and cutthroat world of critics, high society, and rival magicians -- but with real conspiracy lurking beneath tabloid controversy, there's more at stake in this contest than the prize. Behind the glittery haze of flash paper and mirrors, every competitor has something to hide -- and it's the secrets Carthage & Huxley keep from each other that may cost them everything