Growing up at Madam Opera's Estimable Marine Society for Foundling Boys and Girls, Rossamünd Bookchild–a boy with an unfortunate name–has led a life sheltered from the dangers of the world. But this all changes the day the man with the strange red-and-pale-blue eyes recruits him into the service of the Emperor. Rossamünd has been drafted into the ranks of the Half-Continent's "lamplighters"–soldiers who protect the empire's...

Accused of something worse even than being a monster-lover, Rossamnd Bookchild finds himself swept away from ruthless enemies and into the service of Europe, the Duchess-in-waiting of Naimes, employed as her personal factotum. But despite Europe's power and influence as a Peer of the Empire and as the most renowned monster-slayer in all of the Half-Continent, formidable forces move against them both, threatening to capture Rossamnd and destroy Europe...

Accused of being a monster instead of human, Rossamünd Bookchild looks to monster-hunter Branden Rose for help, but powerful forces are after them both, believing that Rossamünd holds the secret to perpetual youth.

After their parents, the rulers of the Star Lands, are deposed and their kingdom flooded, Asa and Rollo hide out until they come into possession of a ghost ship and magic powers, which they use to find the baby sister they thought had died with their parents.