Twelve-year-old Molliner Blackwater returns home, to the Empire, from the edge of his world from the mysterious land of the “barbarians” the Rooskies, whom the Empire slowly but surely displaces to the north. Molly is endowed with the most dangerous gift of magic forbidden in the Empire, and the bearers of this gift are persecuted by the Special Department. Will Molly be able to outplay them? After all, this is the only way she can save herself, her family and true friends . The place of battle becomes home to North York - a city where luxury and poverty, military power and espionage intrigues, huge steam engines and a terrible fiery secret living in the dungeons. But what to do when a new danger hangs over Molly's loved ones, and those who are above even the Special Department come out against the girl herself? Will Molly now be able to survive in her own world - in a world dominated by steel, steam... and magic!