al fantasy story about a world where magic blooms like flowers in a meadow, and men begin to discover the secrets hidden behind the forest. The book is set around the life of a lone woodsman known as Bothorn. He is a man born of a particularly unusual race of men called Skinshifters. As their name suggests, the Skinshifters have the natural ability to change shape and become massive animals with unbreakable hides. As with all beings, there are limits to what they can do. Though they do not know why, they have no choice over what they become. It is a mystery to all until the first transformation of a young Skinshifter. Among his people, Bothorn is a shameful man, hated by all but those closest to him over one small detail. He can't shift.

As a way to be rid of him, he is sent to live alone along the borderline of the forest of Umbrage as a sentry. There, in his solitude, he stumbles upon a saddened young woman from one of the major territories beyond the woods. Through this meeting of chance, tragedy and sorrow erupt with horrendous consequences. Bothorn discovers the beast within and, with it, must do everything he can to save the woman he loves even if he must take on an army, or worse.