WHEN QUEEN BITTERBLUE took the throne of Monsea as a child, her advisers ran the kingdom for her. Now she's beginning to question their decisions. Needing to know Monsca's past in order to lead it into the future, Bitterblue begins exploring the city at night, disguised and alone. As she does, she learns about the legacy of her father, Leck, who ruled through his Grace-a talent for mind-altering-and a taste for cruelty. Soon Bitterblue meets two thieves who only steal what has already been stolen. She realizes that they hold a key to the truth about King Leck's reign. One of them, with a Grace he hasn't yet identified, may also hold a key to her heart.