In less than a year, Kelsey Glynn has transformed from an awkward teenager into a powerful monarch - the intractable Queen of the Tearling. Because of her passionate desire to end corruption and restore justice, she made many enemies. Including the Red Queen, her fierce rival, who sent her army to conquer the Tearling. To protect her people from a ruthless invasion, Kelsey does the unthinkable - she places herself and her magical sapphires into the hands of the enemy and appoints Mace, the loyal commander of her Guardians, as regent. But the Mace will not rest until it frees its queen, imprisoned in Mortmin. The denouement is approaching, which will determine the fate of Queen Kelsey and the Tirling himself.