Orphaned Anthea Cross-Thornley has been shuttled between family members her whole life. When she receives a letter from a long-lost uncle, she dares to dream that she will finally find a home. Upon her arrival she is shocked to learn that her uncle secretly breeds horses—animals that have been forbidden in their kingdom for centuries. More alarming is Anthea's strange ability to sense the horses' thoughts and feelings, an ancient gift called The Way. Confused and terrified, Anthea is desperate to leave, but when dangers arise that put her family and her kingdom at risk, she has no choice but to embrace The Way and the exciting future adventures it will bring her.

Bestselling author Jessica Day George continues her heartfelt fantasy series about a girl who can communicate with horses and a kingdom on the brink of collapse. Anthea knows the truth about horses. They're not carriers of deadly disease like everyone in their kingdom thinks; they're majestic creatures who share their thoughts and feelings with her through The Way. Anthea has convinced the king of this, but at a cost—he demands that horses and riders with The Way do his bidding. But when a deadly plague breaks out, the people believe that horses are the cause. As more fall ill, it's up to Anthea and her friends to transport medicine, all while keeping out of reach from Anthea's wicked mother. And when Anthea discovers a secret that could change the kingdom forever, she must risk everything to reveal the truth before it's too late. Continuing the sweeping storytelling of The Rose Legacy, bestselling author Jessica Day George delights readers—especially horse lovers—once again.

The conclusion to Jessica Day George's fantasy series about a girl using her ability to communicate with horses to save the future of her kingdom. Anthea and her friends are on a mission. Anthea's mother has kidnapped a Coronami princess, the herd stallion, and half a dozen more horses—enough to start her own herd. Suspecting that she is making a deal with the antagonistic emperor of the neighboring land, Kronenhof, Anthea and her friends race there to meet with the emperor and try to find Princess Margaret and the horses. But they don't have much time before Coronam declares war against Kronenhof, which would leave Anthea and her companions trapped in a hostile country. Will they be able to outmaneuver Anthea's mother, who has always been one step ahead of them? And what should they do about the rumors of wild horses in Kronenhof's forests?