In seventh-century France a young girl named Pierrette witnesses a scene of shocking brutality as her mother is hunted down like a beast and executed for her beliefs, yet even then the girl's own questing spirit and yearning for knowledge drives her to not only follow her mother's path, but to go further than the humble country witch ever dreamed.

Pierrette soon learns that true mastery of magic can only be attained by achieving understanding both of the world around her and of the deepest twists of the human soul. Her lessons are more along the lines of physics than esoteric chants, and her journeys will take her to far off lands and the distant shores of legend. Eventually she becomes a sorceress of sublime power, capable of parting the veil of years (traveling to the distant past or far future).

She will befriend ancient gods, speak to the spirits of saints, witness the genesis of demons, and learns of a threat to her family, the future, and to all the natural world. Every ounce of courage and wit will be needed to avert disaster, but still it may not be enough.

Douglas draws on intense research into the landscapes of the past, both in terms of environment and the mind, to craft a powerful and thought-provoking read that deals with history, the nature of belief and the impact of perception upon 'reality.' Highly recommended.