Thisdarkandthrillingadventure,withanunforgettableheroine,willcaptivatefansofsteampunk,fantasy,andromance.Onher18thbirthday,LenaMattacascardecidestosearchforherfather,whodisappearedintothenorthernwildernessofScreewhenLenawasyoung.ScreeisinhabitedbyPeculiars,peoplewhoseunusualcharacteristicsmakethemunacceptabletomodernsociety.Lenawondersifherfatheristhesourceofherownextraordinarycharacteristicsandifshe,too,isPeculiar.Onthetrainshemeetsayounglibrarian,JimsonQuiggley,whoistravelingtoatownontheedgeofScreetoworkinthehomeandlibraryoftheinventorMr.Beasley.ThetrainisstoppedbymenbeingchasedbythehandsomeyoungmarshalThomasSaltre.WhenSaltrelearnswhoLena'sfatheris,heconvinceshertospyonMr.Beasleyandthestrangefolkwhodisappearintohishome,ZephyrHouse.AdaringescapeinanaerocopterleadsLenaintothewildsofScreetoconfrontherdeepestfears.