The magic of the Raven Queen ensures peace and stability. Some would see that time change. Lan and Sophie cannot move on from the deadly attack. Both train to be ready for another attack, but all has been quiet. Sophie continues to train as a sorcerer, though she has not learned from the Raven Queen as she had hoped. Life in the tower is slow, and Sophie longs for excitement. While on patrol with the young prince, Lan and the Taihg encounter a strange attack. The rest of the Taihg are sent to investigate, but Lan is left behind, where he searches on his own. Danger lurks closer than any realize. When Lan goes missing, Sophie must find him. What they uncover will change all that they know about the power in the world. As Sophie struggles to find a way past the patterns the restrict her magic, and Lan searches to understand the powerful connection he now has, they are key to saving the Raven Queen—and all of Reyash—from the dark power that threatens the land. It might already be too late to stop what a powerful sorcerer set into motion.

Blood magic can either save or destroy their city. With the true threat revealed, Sam and Alec search for Master Helen and decide upon a dangerous gamble to uncover her plot. When Kavers turn up injured and drained of blood, they fear they might already be too late. The search for Helen leads to a discovery that changes everything Sam thinks about the Thelns and convinces her she needs to go after her brother. Reaching him is dangerous and will leave the city unprotected, but if she doesn’t, a far worse fate awaits. As Helen’s plan unfolds, Sam and Alec race to stop it, but they must discover what she truly intends or everyone with blood magic will suffer. The key to stopping her is a secret kept from everyone in Verdholm for decades, but that same key might be integral to her success. The final volume in The Book of Maladies.