As Shannon gives birth to her daughter in Parthelon, her evil cognate, Rhiannon is called from her enchanted coma by the dark god so that she can do likewise. The price he demands for this rousing is her soul and service as well as that of her daughter. Yet, somehow, she finds the strength to renounce evil and find forgiveness so that the dark god will have no claim on her or her baby, Morrigan. Her final request is that baby Morrigan be raised by Shannon's parents in Oklahoma. Eighteen years later, Morrigan has grown into an unusual, gifted young woman who does not suspect the truth behind her heritage, though she is aware, to some extent, of her powers.

Learning the full story sends her into a spiral of conflicted emotions that takes her to a cave where the rocks have called her "Light Bearer." Shortly after her arrival, a cave-in and spilled blood sends her to the world where Shannon lives, to the land called Sidehatha, where she is hailed as the Light Bearer and a High Priestess of the goddess Adsagsona. Morrigan is unsure of what is going on or where she fits in this world, but she realizes she has come home. All is not well. The dark god still wants her and is willing to take all that she loves to gain her allegiance.

Though there is not as much humor as one might expect with P.C. Cast's name on the cover, this is one of her finest books yet. Character development is intense; you are drawn into the story and can feel its passion in every word. A book this intense must be read slowly, though it will hurt to not rush through to see how it comes out. Making it last is worth the wait. This is the sort of story you do not want to end.