Twin sons are born to the House of Elah. According to the tenets of the country's religion, one son is chosen for sacrifice. His death means blessing and honor for his father's house. The infant is sent to the temple to die. But the sacrifice never takes place-the son of Elah is stolen. Years later, war makes him a slave, and in the midst of his despair, the god that claimed him at his birth comes to claim him again.

Welcome to King's Barrow, where the gifts have lived side by side for hundreds of years: flamemakers, jewelers, weathermakers, growers, artists, seers, alchemists-and healers, like seventeen-year-old Hamal. He knows he isn't the best, or even the smartest, healer in the city. He isn't good with numbers, and he always leaves scars. The other night when he saved the dead man-well, he just did the best he could. He doesn't mean to get a job working for the king. And he doesn't mean to save the kingdom from a dangerous foe who's killing the king's healers. All he means to do is save his new...