In a world ruled by six ancient Houses of Magic, a girl and a boy
begin an epic and dangerous journey of discovery . . .

After her parents' murder, 13-year-old Lilith "Lily" Shadow rules
Gehenna from Castle Gloom, an immense and windowless citadel. Once
Lily's ancestors commanded spirits, communed with the dead, and
raised armies from out of the grave. But now her country is about
to be conquered by the Shadows' ancient enemies - the Solars,
the lords of light.

Thorn is a peasant boy, wily and smart, sold into slavery and desperate
to escape. So when he's bought by Tyburn, executioner to
House Shadow, he'll agree to just about anything - even to serving
Castle Gloom for a year and day in order to earn his freedom.


When Lily is nearly poisoned by a ruthless and unknown assassin,
she and Thorn embark on a dangerous quest to save Gehenna, a weird
and wonderful land of haunted castles, mysterious forests and an
unforgettable giant bat. Together they must unravel a twisted plot
of betrayals, pride and deadly ambition.