Young Dung Brigader, Orphan Tab Vidler, is thrown out of her house by Mrs Figgins, and on her birthday too. Foppish actor and wizard, Fontagu, helps her out and beholden to him she becomes a reluctant gem thief. at the moment. Due the bungling of Fontagu, a powerful spell is miscast and the entire city is ripped from the ground and sent hurtling through the rift maze as a ship-like sky city. Quentaris faces its greatest challenge and somehow Tab must do something to save it. Even worse their enemy city Tolrush is drawn in with them as well. Tolrush pursues Quentaris, blaming them for their fates. Tab’s role in the initial disaster remains undiscovered and her hitherto undiscovered abilities changes her status from a lowly orphan to heroine. Tab also has her enemies and there are others who are jealous of her new status. ( )