The good luck girls are free. They all crossed the border to freedom in Ferron. All, except Aster, who stayed behind to help more good luck girls find their freedom. But news of a new welcome house opening and the surprise return of an old friend fill Aster with a need to help all good luck girls. And from there grows a wildly ambitious plan to free all dustbloods, who live as prisoners to Arketta's landmasters and debt slavery.

After Clem and the others return from Ferron, they become the heart of a vibrant group of fearless fighters, working to unite the various underclasses and convince them to join in the fight. Along the way, friendships will be forged, lives will be lost, and love will take root even in the harshest of circumstances, between the most unexpected of lovers. But will Arketta's dustbloods finally come into power and freedom, or will the resistance just open them up to a new sort of danger?