In this stunning, Lambda Literary Award- and Nebula Award-winner, Nicola Griffith chronicles the journey of Lore van de Oest, who, shortly before her eighteenth birthday, is kidnapped, abused and left for dead on the streets of an unnamed European city. There she meets Spanner, a woman who both protects and manipulates her. Now Lore must sort through the horrors of her past and present to unravel the mystery of who she once was - and who she will become...'Thrilling' - Washington Post 'A paean to the human spirit' - Seattle Times