Theo has returned to Aftzaak, the magisterial City of Books. Passing the exams to become a kafna was hard enough. Now he has to compete against his fellow trainees—fighters and geniuses one and all—to prove that he has what it takes to achieve his dreams and ascend to the Central Library’s elite. Under the watchful eyes of his wise seniors and teachers, including his youthful mentor Sedona, Theo begins to awaken to the sublime fate and impossible challenges that history has prepared for him…