The Stormriders land their splendid winged stallions on the airy battlements of Isse Tower. Far below, the superstitious servants who dwell in the fortress's lower depths tell ghastly tales of evil creatures inhabiting the world outside, a world they have only glimpsed. Yet it is the least of the lowly -- a mute, scarred, and utterly despised foundling -- who dares to scale the Tower, sneak aboard a Windship, and then dive from the sky.

Along the way, Imrhien must survive a wilderness of endless danger. For the hearthside tales are all true. The unhuman wights are real in all their legions. They haunt every pool, every turn in the road, and threaten and torment all travelers. Lost and pursued by these monsters, Imrhien is saved by Thorn, a mysterious Dainnan ranger whose gallantry and courage are matched only by his martial skills. But, unknown to them, a deadly plot is unfolding, as a dark force summons the malignant hordes of Unseelie, and foul things amass in the night.

And as the journey grows longer, as the challenges grow more deadly, Imrhien discovers something more terrifying than all the evil eldritch wights combined: The girl with an angel's soul and a gargoyle's face is falling in love with Thorn.