The chimneys of industry rise over Adua and the world seethes with new opportunities. But old scores run deep as ever. On the blood-soaked borders of Angland; Leo dan Brock struggles to win fame on the battlefield; and defeat the marauding armies of Stour Nightfall. He hopes for help from the crown. But King Jezal's son; the feckless Prince Orso; is a man who specialises in disappointments. Savine dan Glokta - socialite; investor; and daughter of the most feared man in the Union - plans to claw her way to the top of the slag-heap of society by any means necessary. But the slums boil over with a rage that all the money in the world cannot control. The age of the machine dawns; but the age of magic refuses to die. With the help of the mad hillwoman Isern-i-Phail; Rikke struggles to control the blessing; or the curse; of the Long Eye. Glimpsing the future is one thing; but with the guiding hand of the First of the Magi still pulling the strings; changing it will be quite another...