Even the youngest child in the United Lands knew the legend of the Raven Coronet -- the crown of charisma that had united the world under one ruler -- but no one believed it still existed. Or almost no one. Young Thaedra's difficult childhood becomes an even more trying womanhood when her stepfather marries her off as part of a scheme to obtain the storied artifact. But some fairy tales are best forgotten... A fantasy story of love, magic, and a traveling circus.