[4] The first novel in the series follows a young boy named Rye who lives in the walled city of Weld, on the island of Dorne.

He lives with his mother, Lisbeth, a beekeeper, and his two older brothers: Dirk, a worker that maintains that wall of the city, and Sholto, a solitary individual studying to become a doctor.

Sholto then volunteers and in his absence Rye and Lisbeth face financial struggles; they are soon forced to move to the Wardens Keep where shelter is provided to those in need in return for work.

The pair are later helped by a farmer called FitzFee, who takes them with him to the horse trading town of Fleet, there they meet Faene, who they learn is in a relationship with Dirk.

They soon learn of a place called the Harbour operated by the mysterious 'Shadow Lord' which they believe to be where the Skimmers come from; they stowaway on a vehicle owned by a trader to shorten their journey to it.

However, their plan goes awry when a group of rebels, also hiding in the vehicle, attack them and abandon Dirk, and Rye's bag of magical objects.

While gathering information about the town, Rye notices a monster and rushes to fight it; however he is knocked to the ground, and develops amnesia, forgetting his name and who he is.

After recovering his memories, Rye is told a story of three brothers, Annoltis, Malverlain, and Eldannen, whose father once ruled the land of Dorne.

"[8] A critic from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer also commended Rodda's writing, stating that "she manages to put a new spin on the ages old format" and throughout the novel "raises some fairly sophisticated and pertinent social issues.

[10]The Silver Door was praised for its writing, with one review stating that the novel was "full of lively descriptions of wonderfully imagined creatures.

"[11] The Third Door also received acclaim from Kirkus Reviews, who stated that the novel was "a satisfying finish to a rousing trilogy" and further praised its "richly detailed landscapes... engaging characters" and "surprising twists.