In this harrowing sequel to The Breaking of Brendalyn Ellingboe, Bren and Alder are whisked away to a kingdom far more sinister than their own. Alder is the heir to the throne of Cereluna, but this crown comes with terrible enemies. Gabriel Nocturne, King of Cereluna, would like nothing more than to see Alder’s head on a spike. However, his trusted advisor, Peridon Bellitome, is after something else—the return of his son, Novah Bellitome.