All her life Riordan has rebelled against the idea she is the chosen one mentioned in Kanarek's ancient prophecy. As the thirteenth heir to the throne, she doesn't believe herself to be the savior foreseen long ago.
But when Prince Rau of neighboring Hael conquers Kanarek with his Army Of The Dead, she is forced to believe. The slivers of amber used to reanimate the dead are mentioned in the same prophecy. As one of the last remaining Kanarekii and the last of the royal line, it falls to Riordan to save her family, her people and Kanarek.
Still harboring doubts about the ancient text, she sets off with her guardian, Nhaille, to find the mythical Sword of Zal-Azaar, her only hope of stopping Rau's army of zombies.
The situation turns from bad to worse, when she is kidnapped by the very demon she seeks to vanquish: Prince Rau who decides he wants both the sword and the princess.
