At the age of nine, Finnikin's world is crushed during the five days of the unspeakable: the royal family is murdered, an impostor takes over the throne,m and a curse binds all of those remaining inside the walls of the kingdom. Any who managed to escape are now in exile.
Ten years later, Finnikin and his mentor, Sir Topher, are summoned and are told that Balthazar, the heir to the throne, and Finnikins childhood friend, still lives. Even though he is suspicious of their guide to find Balthazar, he begins to believe that Lumatere might one day be raised.