Magic is women's work; war is men's.
But in the coming battle, none of that will matter.
Men do not become mystics.
They become warriors.
But eighteen-year-old Salo has never been good at conforming to his tribe's expectations.
For as long as he can remember, he has loved books and magic in a culture where such things are considered unmanly.
Despite it being sacrilege, Salo has worked on a magical device in secret that will awaken his latent magical powers.
And when his village is attacked by a cruel enchantress, Salo knows that it is time to take action.
Salo's queen is surprisingly accepting of his desire to be a mystic, but she will not allow him to stay in the tribe.
Instead, she sends Salo on a quest.
The quest will take him thousands of miles north to the Jungle City, the political heart of the continent.
There he must gather information on a growing threat to his tribe.
On the way to the city, he is joined by three fellow outcasts: a shunned female warrior, a mysterious nomad, and a deadly assassin.
But they're being hunted by the same enchantress who attacked Salo's village.
She may hold the key to Salo's awakening--and his redemption.