'I am a lord of the sea, of storms and of thunder.' Born of violence and deception Joss Raddick knows little of the ways of the world. A new godling with untested strength and power. He makes his way to Londinium, the great city in the heart of Britanniae, an early 19th century England where Rome never left and gods walk among humans. There he meets Andrew LaRoche and his powerful band of godlings. Charming and witty. Andrew takes Joss under his wing to teach him their ways. And it all culminates in the Great Boast, a competition between the godlings to see who can inspire the greatest poet of their age. In it, Joss becomes entwined with the Keats family, and eventually, their eldest son John. Yet not all is as it seems in the merry city. Darkness threatens to plunge the world into chaos. As war looms over the horizon, Joss must master not only his powers but his heart as well. As friends become enemies and the complex schemes of the godlings threaten to tear him apart. Can Joss control his powerful gifts in time to protect those he loves or will the newborn godling break as easily as mortals do?