Twelve-year-old Meggie learns that her father, who repairs and binds books for a living, can "read" fictional characters to life when one of those characters abducts them and tries to force him into service.

"Five years after the events of 'Inkdeath', Meggie, Mo, and the people of Ombra lead peaceful lives, their fires warmed by the flames of Dustfinger--the Fire-Dancer. But when Dustfinger spots Orpheus's glass man within the gates of Ombra, a familiar restlessness begins to haunt him once more. And for good reason . . . The past five years have been a different story for Orpheus, who has spent his days living a meager and deprived existence, fueled...