In the Old Kingdom, where the dead do not always stay silent and ancient magic stirs beneath the surface, Lirael is a young woman who has never felt she belongs among her own people. When she is drawn into a mysterious role within the great Clayr glacier, she must discover her true gifts and face dangers that reach far beyond the walls of her home. Richly imagined and atmospheric, this is a tale of destiny, courage, and the perilous pull of magic.