Karen Fox is attacked on her way home from school and left in a coma by her attackers. While she lies in her hospital bed an extraordinary thing happens - her spirit journeys to another world. In this parallel world Karen inhabits the body of a fox and becomes the guide to a young man called Mowl who is caught up in a complex and dangerous mix of politics and religion. A world in which old feuds are long fought over and not easily settled. And Mowl is caught up in this intrigue far more extensively than he could possibly imagine. In this world tribal allegiances hold great power, and religion, politics and old beliefs are in conflict. It is not easy to be neutral. But time is against both Karen and Mowl and their desperate attempts to survive are fought out against the knowledge that animal guides have a very short time to exist. Will Karen the fox survive? Meanwhile Karen Fox's grandmother keeps a 24 hour vigil by her bed holding her hand and willing her to come back. But will she, can she, recover from her coma?