A gripping fantasy, full of mystery and adventure, with a brave and likeable heroine who can humble strong men with her eyes alone...Dina has inherited the Shamer's Gift from her mother - when people look into her eyes, they are forced to acknowledge all their weaknesses and guilt.

Now Drakan, the Dragon Lord of Dunark who once tried to feed Dina's mother to his revolting dragons, is ruthlessly hunting down Shamers in order to burn them at the stake.

He is the only completely shameless human being Dina has ever met.

If simple human decency is to survive, Drakan must be opposed.

But rebellions need leaders, and what better choice than the legitimate heir to the lordship of Dunark, Dina's friend Nico?

Never mind that Nico hates swords and is reluctant even to kill a rabbit.

Everyone wants him to be a hero. But as Nico points out to Dina, heroes have a nasty habit of ending up dead...