"Pḧdre ̤n Delaunay was chosen to forever experience pain and pleasure as one. Her path has been strange and dangerous, but through it all the devoted swordsman Joscelin has been at her side. But Pḧdre has never forgotten her childhood friend Hyacinthe, who struck a bargain with the gods to save Pḧdre...and their nation. She is determined to seize one last hope to bring him back. Her quest will bring Pḧdre and Joscelin across the world, to distant courts where madness reigns and souls are currency, down a fabled river to a land forgotten by most of the world. And to a power so mighty that none dare speak its name"--Back cover.