Jarred, recently come of age, is leaving the sun-scorched desert villagethat has always been his home. He sets out with a band of friends to explorethe world, to see the mighty and beautiful kingdom of the north - and toseek out the truth about his father, who came to the village a stranger anddeparted when Jarred was ten, never to return.

After the travellers are set upon in a ravine and several of their numbersustain injuries, they seek shelter in the Marsh of Slievmordhu. Thewaterlands are a far-extending tapestry of cool green streams, ravelledwoods, and reed-fringed lagoons - a world of dazzling beauty as differentfrom their homeland as night and day. Here Jarred meets Lilith, and in asingle moment he realises that his life can never be the same again. Butneither of the young lovers is aware how closely linked their fates - andtheir past - really are. During a visit to Cathair Rua, the Red City, Jarredstumbles across the secret of the Iron Tree, and with it an unbearable truthabout his father's identity?

From the author of the highly acclaimed 'Bitterbynde' trilogy comes thisbreathtaking first volume in THE CROWTHISTLE CHRONICLES - THE IRON TREE, anextraordinary tale of jealousy and revenge, of wickedness and justice and,above all, love.