Jetta, a teen who possesses secret, forbidden powers, must gain access to a hidden spring and negotiate a world roiling with intrigue and the beginnings of war. Jetta's family is the most talented troupe of shadow players in the land. With Jetta behind the scrim, their puppets seem to move without string or stick-- a trade secret, they say. In truth, Jetta uses the forbidden old ways to bind the souls of the recently departed to the puppets with her blood. When the family earns a spot aboard the royal ship to Aquitan, they hear rumors the Mad King has a spring that cures his ills. Now Jetta will face decisions that she never imagined-- and safety seems far away. -- adapted from jacket. Provided by publisher.

Series information from goodreads.com