Fire has abandoned Nordsummer, leaving the island trapped in an eternal winter, but Emil, a slave of the empire, somehow awakens the ember, becoming the flameseeker — a boy cursed to wield fire. The flame attracts all sorts of moths, from the imperial secret police to the treacherous flame rebellion who seeks to overthrow the emperor. He’s puppeteered by the hands of Nordsummer’s most influential people, and the only person who can save him from bearing the vengeful curse of the flame scourge is Anise of the Razed Hollows, a nomadic girl who saves his life.Together, they share a lone dream, the dream of returning spring to Nordsummer — a dream encroached upon by puppeteers, usurpers and conquerors.