In the Republic of Corvain, anybody who has a hint of magical power is rounded up and thrown into prison. They’re doing it to defend the new nation, says the revolutionary government – defend it from the sorcerers and sorceresses who used to be the lackeys of the man-eating Auks in the bad old days of the monarcy. When Grizelda, a young seamstress from the poorer part of the capitol city, suddenly finds herself the government’s target, she fears she is done for. But in prison she meets a group of rat-riding pixies and earns their undying friendship by mending their clothes. In exchange,...