--The story of the drow continues in this novel of the Underdark. War has passed, and the drow return to Menzoberranzan to face the unthinkable: their armies defeated, their ruling houses shattered, their magic faded in the cruel light of the sun. In the aftermath of war, the dark elves brace themselves for the power struggle to come. Yet they will submit to the rule of the matrons and the tyranny of Lloth, because they have no other choice.

Or do they?

Liriel Baenre is a free-spirited drow princess who searches out adventure as passionately as most drow pursue power and status. When she discovers a way to take her heritage of dark elf magic to the surface world, she sets off alone on a hazardous quest. Many want to possess Liriel's secret-- or destroy it. Pursued by enemies from her homeland, Liriel finds no welcome in the world of light. Her best hope for an ally is Fyodor of Rashemen, a young berserker warrior who may also be her deadliest rival.