The thrilling sequel to award-winning author Bradley P. Beaulieu's epic fantasy series, The Book of the Holt. In the wake of the great battle at Ancris, Rylan and Lorelei must deal with the aftermath of the destroyed capital and the knowledge that Faedryn, the imprisoned trickster god who has been plotting his escape for centuries, is growing ever closer to freedom. While Lorelei hopes to stop Faedryn before it's too late, the trail she's following has grown cold and Rylan is too busy with his own problems to help. News has leaked about the powerful artifact he stole, the one Faedryn desperately needs, and now everyone in the empire, from the dragon legions to the ruthless Red Knives, are hunting him. But Rylan soon discovers there's something worse than being caught – losing the shard altogether. As Lorelei and Rylan struggle to undo the damage he caused, they learn that Faedryn gained his power by taking part in a deadly, twisted contest created by the elder gods and that it may resume even if they do manage to keep Faedryn imprisoned.