Kori lives in a world of constant danger. Monstrous beasts devour brave hunters; earthquakes shake the homes of her tribe; and far to the west, Mount Tomomour belches fire into the sky.

She is the chieftain's daughter,privileged yet shunned by the rest of her tribe because of her independent, willful nature. Her people live in fear of the Earth Spirits that rule the land with casual cruelty, but Kori refuses to recognize their power. She rebels-and is cast out, forced to fend for herself in the forest on the western shore.

But even as she finds fulfillment there in the arms of a brave warrior, Kori discovers the startling truth about her world. She is determined to enlighten her people, but first she must confront a looming catastrophe that threatens to eradicate all life in the place she has come to love.