This standalone romantic fantasy read has so many titles listed as comps: Arcane, Wicked, and Iron Widow, among others. It’s a reimagining of the War of the Currents.

Josephine Haven can weild radiance, and electric-like magic. This is why she’s at the House of Industry. Josephine has strong set of emotions, and her outbursts are famous at the school. That, along with her struggles to not form attachments, mean she’s always skirting the rules at the institution.

When she graduates, it seems no one is surprised that she’s sent on a remote mission. She’s forced to work under a standoffish Julian; he used to be the school’s golden boy and he seems keen on watchin her fail. Maybe worse, Josephine is unable to about Ezra, who won’t leave her alone about the purpose of her mission.

As a deadly disease spreads across the countryside, Josephine realizes not everyone is ready or willing to accept progress. Now she’s put in a difficult position: does she give into something she was told to suppress in order to help expose corruption and be truthful about the radiance within her?

It’s a story about the oligarich state and a magical industrial revolution (and it’s also very queer).