For a thousand years,the people of Alera have united against the aggressive and threateningraces that inhabit the world, using their unique bond with the furies -elementals of earth, air, fire, water, and metal.But now, GaiusSextus, First Lord of Alera, grows old and lacks an heir. AmbitiousHigh Lords plot and maneuver to place their Houses in positions ofpower, and a war of succession looms on the horizon.Far fromcity politics in the Calderon Valley, the boy Tavi struggles with hislack of furycrafting. At fifteen, he has no wind fury to help him fly,no fire fury to light his lamps. Yet as the Alerans' most savage enemy -the Marat - return to the Valley, he will discover that his destiny ismuch greater than he could ever imagine.Caught in a storm ofdeadly wind furies, Tavi saves the life of a runaway slave named Amara.But she is actually a spy for Gaius Sextus, sent to the Valley to gatherintelligence on traitors to the Crown, who may be in league with thebarbaric Marat horde. And when the Valley erupts in chaos - when rebelswar with loyalists and furies clash with furies - Amara will find Tavi'scourage and resourcefulness to be a power greater than any fury - onethat could turn the tides of war.