Having trained for years to become the Shadow, the queen's royal spy, Sirscha Ashwyn's life plans are upended when shamans attack and murder Saengo, her best friend. Then, in something not even she anticipated, Sirscha restores Saengo to life, unveiling herself as the first soulguide to arise in the kingdom's living memory. Now Sirscha must go to the Dead Wood, the domain of the Spider King, a forest possessed by malignant souls, and must learn to use her new power and abilities to stop the trees from bringing war.