The Winter colonists have ruled Tiamat for 150 years, slaughtering the gentle sea mers in trade for off-world wealth. But soon the gate to the galactic Hegemony will close, Tiamat will be isolate, and the 150-year reign of the Summer primitives will begin. Unless...

Arienrhod, the ageless, corrupt Snow Queen, can commit a genocidal crime-and destroy destiny...unless Sparks Dawntreader, the Snow Queen's companion, can survive sea and city, palace and slums-and find destiny...unless Hegemony Commander Jerusha Palathion, the Snow Queen's victim, can find one ally on Tiamat-and change destiny...

And unless Moon Summer, a young mystic, can break a conspiracy that spans space-and control destiny. Because Moon is the Snow Queen's lost weapon. The Snow Queen's lost nemesis. The Snow Queen's lost soul. Moon is the Snow Queen's clone...