Eliza, now fourteen, has been studying magic and gaining a rep-utation for her power. She has much yet to learn – althoughshe understands things like the ancient magic by which thingsare made and unmade, she cannot yet effect it herself. She is strong-headed and independent as ever, chafing at the boundaries theMancers have set for her. Ravens continue to gather around Eliza andthe Citadel, and nobody is sure if they are Eliza’s guides or a tricksent by the evil Xia sorceress Nia. The Mancers create magic daily to keep Nia in her prison, but sheescapes, turning them all to stone except Eliza’s grandfather, Kyreth,the head Mancer. Why on earth would she do that? Nia also sum-mons Ancient Magic to create a horrid Kwellrahg, with which tothreaten Eliza’s mother.Eliza, her friends Nell and Charlie, the witch Swarn and the FaerieLord Jalo must somehow stop Nia from wreaking further destruction.The key to victory is Eliza’s mastery of the Ancient Magic herself.Can she make it work in time? Will they learn the true story of Elizaand Nia’s common heritage?Catherine Egan has fashioned another thrilling fantasy tale of magic,of good battling evil, of a young woman discovering her true natureand realizing her own powers.