The Hollow is changing, and its roots are no longer bound. After the events of Shadowfire Rising, Jerica Whitthorne and her sister Maeve believe they've broken the ancient curse that haunted their family for generations. But when the Bloodwood trees bloom in crimson flowers that bleed when touched, the sisters realize the Hollow has not died—it has evolved. Something older, darker, and far more dangerous has awakened beneath the soil, feeding on the scars of the land and the whispers of the dead. With the Circle regrouping under a ruthless new leader, and the townsfolk of Briar's Hollow caught between fear and superstition, Jerica must wield her fire like never before. Maeve's connection to the roots deepens, but with it comes visions of a coming storm, one that threatens to devour not just the Whitthorne land but everyone bound to it. As the Hollow's influence spreads like a living plague, Jerica must uncover the secret buried where the Bloodwood sleeps—a secret that could save their world, or burn it to ash.