Beryl and Floredelis, the land she lives in, are both coming of age in this fantasy novel. Beryl, a 15-year-old dreamer and lover of fairy tales, longs for adventure. But she dreams of an evil man, the Shadow Man, and believes he represents the evil within her. She foresees the destruction of her beloved land. But the danger is real, and Beryl has the power--of deep listening and compassion--to save it. She journeys to Brother Earth's land, where she makes friends with gnomes and fairies and faces initiation in the Hill of the Grandmothers. Beryl perhaps even finds love along the way-as does her godmother Ava.