Since the dawn of Second Earth, the Island of Fire has awaited the arrival of the one mage whose dominion over the global magic network-the spectrum-will enable her to rescue the primitive, totalitarian nation from obscurity. But, when Scarlet July is born, her extraordinary magic unexpectedly renders her a third-class citizen, denied the right to education, employment and, ultimately, life. Evading execution, Scarlet finds herself orphaned and alone, struggling to survive and find her purpose.

Three-thousand miles north, in the ice island of Ichthyosis, Diving Fleet Commander Cease...