The kingdom of Valdemar faces war, but only one person can save the country: a young man with a Gift so terrifying that even the Heralds, the country's magical protectors, fear him.

Lavan Firestorm has no desire to follow his family into any of the various Guilds as cloth-maker, dyer or needleworker; all he really wants is to be back home in the wild, unconfined woods of his childhood.

In despair, his parents send him to an exclusive school, but, bullied and humiliated, Lavan finally cracks. His ice-cold panic turns to burning rage - and spawns a Gift unlike any. Lavan's destiny becomes clear: he could be the saviour of Valdemar - or its nemesis.