Cinder learns that the only thing harder than learning magic is actually finding someone to teach it to you. Which is unfortunate timing, as an insane elvish lord sends his minions to threaten everything Cinder holds dear! The pulse-pounding, magic-infused action continues as Cinder seeks new alliances, confronts new dangers, and finds enemies more powerful than he ever dreamed of.

Desperate to rescue his comrade Blacktooth, Cinder ventures into Lord Summervale's tower alone, only to learn that the elves of the Thorn have more power, and deeper grudge against his family than Cinder could ever have imagined.