After the earth-shattering events of 'Gideon the Ninth,' Harrowhark Nonagesimus, the last necromancer of the Ninth House, finds herself grappling with a fractured sense of self. Haunted by loss and burdened by a power she barely understands, Harrow's journey is one of confronting her past traumas and piecing together her shattered identity. The line between reality and delusion blurs as she battles internal demons alongside external threats.

Within the Emperor's haunted fortress, power takes many forms - necromancy, political maneuvering, and even knowledge itself become weapons in a deadly game. As Harrow trains to become an immortal Lyctor, she faces ruthless competition and dangerous trials. The pursuit of power comes at a cost, and Harrow must decide how much she's willing to sacrifice to survive.

Muir weaves a complex tapestry of nested narratives and shifting perspectives, leaving the reader questioning what is real and what is a figment of Harrow's increasingly unreliable mind. The book challenges our assumptions about time, memory, and perception, forcing us to piece together the truth alongside Harrow as she descends deeper into the heart of the Empire's mysteries.