Nathan of Nestovich, a young rat kit orphaned by war, survived the worst of the Dark Forest to become a living legend-his story told in ballads and books. At his adventure's end, he found sanctuary in the home of Esther Essen, the headstrong daughter of the Court Rat of the powerful Grand Sable Empire. Until their peace was shattered.

An army of marauding mercenaries, led by the crazed jester Smiling Spike, destroyed Esther's home and kidnaped her parents, forcing her and Nathan to flee. Spike serves Titus Tarr, a ruthless, power-hungry merchant, and these two young kits are the only thing standing in the way of his grim plan that promises doom for the rats of the world-a plan involving a mysterious, monstrous fiend known only as the Carrion King.

To stop Tarr and his army of killers, Esther and Nathan must enlist the help of gun-wielding rabbit rebels, a boisterous bullfrog knight turned actor, and a master thief mouse and her adopted rat daughter. They'll face bloody murder mysteries in a secluded island abbey, cannonball battles on the high seas, and madcap theatrical performances as they fight to find the truth behind legends-and save the rats of the Dark Forest.