The series consists of two published books – The Ruins of Ambrai (1994) and The Mageborn Traitor (1997) – and the unwritten final novel The Captal's Tower.
The rebellion known as the Rising is expanding to combat the unjust Tier system and treatment of men and Mageborns.
There are predominantly three facets of power vying for control, each represented by a daughter of the House of Ambrai.
The Mage Guardians had been the protectors of the people of Lenfell, but after the Waste Wars many were killed and the few survivors had to go into hiding.
Healer Mages are trained to use magic and wards to heal wounds, both physical and mental.
The Lords of Malerris believe that their patron saint, the Weaver, has a plan for Lenfell woven into the Great Loom.
The resulting outburst of magic let loose upon the world caused many deaths and birth defects that lasted for generations.
Because of the war, women of particular bloodlines rule Lenfell, due to the difficulty in giving birth and the need to repopulate.
Lenfell is a corruption of the term "Land-fall" used by the early, Catholic refugee settlers of the world.
As the importance of women increased, men lost prominence and all power in the aftermath of the Waste Wars.
A man is supposed to lower his eyes for women and always wear coifs in public to cover their hair.
The Tier system was seemingly abolished upon the marriage of the Lady Glenin Feiran (née Ambrai) to Garon Anniyas.
Ambrai, capital of Ambraishir and former center of culture and Mage Guardians, was destroyed by Auvry Feiran and the Council Guard but is being rebuilt.
The Rising opposes the growing power of the First Councillor, the Tier system, and the unfair treatment of men.