The novel is set in the fictional country of Raddith, which is divided between normal human settlements inland and the mystical marsh-woods that borders the coastline.

The pair is hired by Chancery official Leona Tharl to investigate a conspiracy involving a curser group known as Salvation.

Ammet created Salvation to manufacture hatred among known cursers to target curses at his political enemies and thus control Chancery.

The plan goes awry when Kellen is actually put up for sale at the auction, and Shay Ammet purchases him in return for setting Nettle free.

However, Kellen tricks Ammet into saying Salvation will cease cursing people if left alone in front of a Bookbearer, an entity of the Wild that makes promises binding.

"[3] Strange Horizons writes: "There’s always a delightful inventiveness to her worldbuilding, [...] and she strings together several concepts which would each be enough for one book in the hands of lesser writers.