This direct sequel to Elizabeth Bear's highly acclaimed All the Wind-wracked Stars picks up the story a few years after the last Valkyrie, Muire, went into the sea. She gave up her life to become the new Bearer of Burdens and renew the tormented world of ValdyrgardBeautiful Cathoair, now an immortal warrior angel, has been called back to the city of Eiledon to raise his and Muire's son, cast up on shore as an infant by his mother. It is seemingly a quiet lifeBut deadly danger approaches . . . the evil goddess Heythe, who engineered the death of Valdyrgard, has traveled forward in time on her rainbow steed. She came expecting to gloat over a dead world, the proof of her revenge, but instead she finds a Rekindled land, renewed by Muire's sacrificeShe will have revenge by forcing this new Bearer of Burdens to violate her oaths and break her bounds and thus bring about the true and final end of Valdyrgard. She will do it by tormenting both Cathoair and his son, Cathmar. But Mingan, the Grey Wolf, sees his old enemy Heythe's return. He will not allow it to happen again Read Less