"In the Old Kingdom...orphan Terciel learns the art of necromancy from his great-aunt Tizanael. But not to raise the Dead, rather to lay them to rest. He is the Abhorsen-in-Waiting...whose task it is to make sure the Dead do not return to Life...Elinor does not know she is deeply connected to the Old Kingdom...In a single day of fire and death and loss, Elinor finds herself set on a path which will take her into the Old Kingdom, into Terciel's life, and will embroil her in the struggle of the Abhorsens against the Dead who will not stay dead"-- Provided by publisher.