For Mavin, coming of age as a shape-shifter is both exhilarating and terrifying. Recklessly headstrong, she is to become notorious in the lands of the True Game. With her brother, she leaves their home - a place of slavery and fear - only to have the boy's powers of beguilement lead them into danger. Rescued by the Wizard Himaggery, the shape-shift and man of magic make a vow. When twenty years have come and gone, they will meet again.

But Himmagery has vanished, leaving only a letter of love behind for Mavin to find. If he were dead, she would know it: sorcerers could trace the scent of his trail, necromancers raise his bones from the dust. But he has disappeared - beyond the power of wizardy.

And so the search of Mavin Manyshaped begins.

This is the second volume of Sheri S. Tepper's acclaimed The Chronicles of Mavin Manyshaped.