Debut author Arne Flores spins an exciting and original tale about hope in even the darkest of places, perfect for fans of Shannon Hale.

The Kingdom of Lyrica was once warm and thriving, kept safe by the Firebird, whose feather and song was a blessing of peace and prosperity. But the Firebird disappeared, last seen the night the Queen was killed by the evil Spectress who now terrorizes Lyrica from inside a volcano.

Young Prewitt has only known time without the Firebird, a life of constant cold, as her village is afraid to temp the volcano monsters with even the feeblest fire. But he has heard whispers that the kingdom's princess survived the attack . . . and he is certain that if he can find her, together they can save Lyrica.

Princess Calliope has no memories beyond living on her barge on the underground river. But as she nears her twelfth birthday, she is certain there is more to life than the walls of a cave. When Prewitt finds her, they realize that she is the missing princess: the only hope for Lyrica. Determined to decipher the meaning of that strange message and find the Firebird, the two set off on a quest that puts them in more danger than either of them ever anticipated.