In Selah and the Spades, factions offer pupils with all they need to traverse the adolescent years. The Spades is by far the most dominant faction. Selah is confronted with the reality of an uncontrollable future as the new sophomore at school, Paloma, delves deeper into The Spades. As Paloma begins to depart from her predecessor's path, the learner begins to eclipse the master, and Selah becomes desperate to reestablish her control at any cost.