These are the last days of the Old Empire and magic is fading from the world. In the ruined city of Eldernost, disgraced knights, desperate scavengers, cunning merchants, hedge wizards and alchemists, dangerous opportunists and daring adventurers all seek the precious traces of remnant magic that promise wealth and immortality. But deep in the vast forest expanse of the Greenwell, the savage, blood-drinking wights watch the invaders with ravenous eyes and plot to defend their homeland. Across the known world, nations clash and kingdoms are shattered as great powers struggle for control of the last reserves of fading magic on which empires and noble dynasties were built.

Two climbed up. Two fell down. One woke up. Robin Saunders is a high school sophomore with an awesome best friend, a hard-working single mom, and a complicated relationship with a sweet guy named Reno. She's coasting along, trying to get through yet another tedious year of high school, when Em suggests something daring. They live in Florida-- tourist central--and Emily wants to sneak into a theme park after midnight and see what they're made of. When things get out of control, Robin wakes up in a hospital bed and Emily doesn't wake up at all. Just getting dressed becomes an ordeal as Robin tries to heal and piece together the details of that terrible night. Racing to remember everything in the hopes of saving Emily, Robin writes a series of notes to herself to discover the truth. Gr. 8-12. Adult language.