[8] The humans' plague expert, Dr. Neveeve, explains that there is a plant called starshade growing deep in the Vineyard of Eyes which can be distilled into a cure.

Hamnet, his Halflander son Hazard, and their hisser companion Frill lead the motley crew through the dangerous Jungle and numerous setbacks.

During a near-death experience with a pool of quicksand, the group encounters Luxa, the heir apparent of Regalia who was assumed to be dead after the quest in Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane.

[11] They arrive at the Vineyard of Eyes, but an army of cutters (ants, who would like to see all warm-blooded creatures gone) destroys the starshade and kill both Hamnet and Frill.

The group hastens home, and find their theory proved correct by the humans' new medication, developed without the supposed "cradle cure."

Following up on a promise to Ripred, Luxa sends doses of the cure to the gnawers while the Regalian hospital treats as many human and bat victims as possible.

[11] Ripred similarly points out that an "annoying little dance" Boots makes up to go along with the prophecy's refrain echoes this theme, by forcing the questers to turn and see themselves before they realize that the plague originated with the humans.

[11] Gregor hypothesizes that Sandwich included a cryptic repeating segment in the prophecy to drum the meaning of these lines into the heads of his readers, or to emphasize their importance.

The prophecy's other stanzas describe the plague and who it affects, call for the warrior's return, explain how to find the cure and win allies amongst the nonhuman species, and warn strongly against allowing a war to start in the Underland.

[6][11] Gregor refers to this final point as "Sandwich's usual prediction that if things didn't work out, there would be total destruction and everybody would end up dead.

[11] In 2013, a new edition of the novel was published as part of a paperback boxed set of the five books in The Underland Chronicles, featuring new cover art by Vivienne To.

[1] As of 2016[update], editions have appeared in German, French, Chinese, Polish, Swedish, Norwegian, Dutch, Italian, Finnish, Bulgarian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Turkish.

[10][13][16] In the words of Tasha Saecker of School Library Journal, for example, "Collins maintains the momentum, charm, and vivid settings of the original title.

"[13] Kirkus mentioned the novel's more serious plot and themes with the review's comment, "This offering takes on an even darker tone than the earlier ones, delving into meaty questions of territorial expansion and its justification.

"[16] A review in the Library Media Connection, on the other hand, said that "Collins's subtle messages about the horrors of war and the benefits of peace" make the book "worthy of discussion" by readers of all ages.