The Yellow City is in crisis. Men have always possessed the magic that sustains civilization, from healing the sick to calling the rains to keeping the mice from the granaries. But transformation has swept the land like a plague. Now the rains are weeks late, the wells are running dry, and the Sun Mages have been unable to call the powers that have sustained their empire. Instead, the magic is appearing inexplicably in the hands of women. Reaction from the men is swift and furious. Raeshaldis, the only girl ever accepted to the College of the Sun Mages, finds the mages won't teach her the spells they can no longer work. Corn-Tassle Woman's budding powers can't protect her from an abusive husband. And the Summer Concubine must play the dutiful consort even as danger looms for her Raven sisters. For while famine threatens, fanatics riot, and slaves rebel, someone is abducting and killing the most gifted female magic-workers.