Megan Whalen Turner delivers the fourth entry in a critically acclaimed series that includes a Newbery Honor Book and a Best Book for Young Adults. Exploring peace, power, leadership, and loyalty, this richly imagined tale features Sophos, the reluctant heir to the throne of Sounis. While residing in a remote villa, the teenaged Sophos finds himself overpowered and sold as a slave. But as days of toil and adversity strengthen him, Sophos determines to escape and assume his rightful place in his kingdom. "[A] stand-out, stand-alone adventure, filled with all the expected intrigue and political machinations." –Booklist, starred review