Edward is the King of England. He's also dying, which is inconvenient, as he's only sixteen and he'd rather be planning his first kiss than who will inherit his crown. Jane, Edward's cousin, is far more interested in books than romance. Unfortunately, Edward has arranged to marry her off to Gifford secure the line of succession. And Gifford is, well, a horse. That is, he an Eðian (eth-y-un, for the uninitiated) who becomes a chestnut steed every...

Seifer Tombchewer, a peasant boy living in the macabre Darkling Realm, proves his worth when he is forced to impersonate the missing Prince Talon Pandemonium as diplomat, warrior, and Lord Defender of the Realm.