Newly knighted, Alanna of Trebond seeks adventure in the vast desert at the edge of Tortall in this third book in Tamora Pierce's Margaret A. Edwards Award-winning young adult series--now with a new look! After achieving knighthood, Alanna leaves the capital city to explore the desert near the kingdom's borders. When the local Bazhir people discover her, they charge her with trespassing and sentence her to a duel to the death. But when Alanna wins, she's inducted into the tribe--and soon after, she becomes the tribe's first female shaman.

Still, dire challenges lie ahead. Alanna must convince the Bazhir to change their ancient customs for their sake and for the sake of all Tortall.