Chapter 1 Summary

A fog is moving over the area 600 miles north of Corvere. This is the area where the wall separates the Old Kingdom from Corvere, and is also the dividing line between where Ancelstierre's modern technology is at work and the magic of the Old Kingdom began. The fog here is gray, compared to the white fog in Corvere. This gray fog originates from Free Magic. The gray fog makes its way to the river, which encircles Abhorsen's House. Abhorsen's birthright is to manage Life and Death with a mixture of necromantic bells and Free Magic.

The maker of the fog has a master plan. The master knows that Abhorsen is not in the house, but Lirael, a woman, and the son of the king and queen, Sameth, are inside the house. A cat and a dog are also in the house with the...