There is a dark presence in Phin's life. His stepfather is a drunk and his malevolence poisons their home. One evening the violence gets out of control. As Phin's mother drags her son's broken body away, she can think of only one place to take him: to the local healer. But this healer deals in more than medicinal remedies. At her insistence, he calls on the spirits to ensure Phin is never harmed again. However, his words are more than a call: they are invitation--one that the spirits welcome as a legion descends and takes root within Phin.

Phin awakens to discover he is no longer in...