In the distant realm of Fennra, some are born with rare gifts while others are born with nothing at all. But Rue, plain by birthright, is far from ordinary. She carries a dark curse, violently bestowed upon her after a werewolf attack. The chaos that ensues is the last thing she needs as she works to escape the clutches of the Volings, monsters with only one goal: to kill those who seek to fulfill an ancient prophecy that would restore peace to the world and banish the shadowy realm.

After Rue’s best friend disappears, Rue and her caretaker make a daring escape to wintry Fennra, a realm bordering Dagger Sea, where a grand castle and clocktower promise safe harbor. As Rue settles into her new home, she makes new friends and attends classes every day in an attempt at normalcy, even as she struggles with the harsh realities of her past, including keeping the secret of her curse.

But a normal life remains out of reach when a strange, mechanical bird leads Rue to forbidden corridors full of old magic and mysterious doors that open other realms. It’s there she meets an unusual boy named Thomassen who, despite his hot temper and instant dislike for Rue, might just be the stubborn ally she needs as she begins to uncover how her destiny ties to dark secrets about the realms and the fate of the kingdom itself.