Scuff, an orphan, is on the run. At the orphanage in the Capital she was number 102. She committed a terrible crime and had fled to Murkmere where she worked as a kitchen maid. When soldiers appeared seeking number 102 she took flight and stayed for a time in the Wasteland with an old man and his son named Erland. Again running from soldiers she eventually makes her way to the capital. She is always being deceived and used by one person or another and finds herself in the Lord Protector's palace with a dangerous job to do. She herself does not know who she is, but an ambitious leader in the rebel movement knows why she is so important. and wants to use her as an assassin of the Lord Protectorate's son.

This is a very atmospheric book, the fear, decay and stench in the capital, the ravens that are always overhead, swans and Cathedral where people worship its strange stone bird, the Eagle. Having not read the first book, Murkmere, I feel as though I missed a lot. ( )

Sequel to 'Murkmere.' And where's the sequel to this, I want to know. ( )