Nedra Brysstain left the rural, northern territories of Lunar Island to attend the prestigious Yugen Academy with only one goal in mind: learn the trade of medicinal alchemy. She's a scholarship student matriculating with the children of Lunar Island's wealthiest and most powerful families. Greggori "Grey" Astor is taken by the brilliant and stubborn Nedra. She is deeply invested in her studies because a deadly plague has been sweeping through the North, and it's making its way toward the cities. Nedra is determined to find a cure for the plague. When she turns to the most forbidden practice of all, necromancy, even Grey might not be able to pull her from the darkness. -- Adapted from jacket.