Although Cypher McCall has no memories before the quake that destroyed the kingdom of Augury, she holds a steadfast hatred of the repressive Cauldian regime now occupying the country. Because her magical gifts are deemed subversive, she does her best to avoid detection—until she learns the Cauldians plan to desecrate the ruins of nearby Castle Augur. She stumbles on a silver key that she hopes will unlock her memories, but first she must confront a long repressed horror from her past.