Rossam�顫nd Bookchild stands accused of not truly being a human at all, but of being a monster. Even the protection of Europe, the Branden Rose�'the most feared and renowned monster-hunter in
all the Half-Continent�'might not be enough to save him. Powerful forces move against them both, intent on capturing Rossam�顫nd�'whose existence some believe may hold the secret to perpetual
youth.