When her father dies just before her birthday; seventeen-year-old Aderyn inherits the role of Protector of Atratys; a dominion in a kingdom where nobles are able to transform at will into the bird that represents their family bloodline. Aderyn's ancestral bird is a swan. But she has not transformed for years; not since witnessing the death of her mother - ripped apart by hawks that have supposedly been extinct since the long-ago War of the Raptors. With the benevolent shelter of her mother and her father now lost; Aderyn is at the mercy of her brutal uncle; the King; and his royal court. Driven by revenge and love; she must venture into the malevolent heart of the Citadel in order to seek the truth about the attack that so nearly destroyed her; to fight for the only home she has ever known and for the land she has vowed to protect. Written in rich detail and evocative language; this is the start of an irresistible; soaring duology about courage; broken loyalties and fighting for your place in the world.