Dancing Jack

Now back in print, from the acclaimed award-winning author!

A plague-ravaged land, three witches, a renegade riverboat, and ambiguous magic.

Memories of loss drive Ash of Ashland to take her dog and leave her farm, to seek out the fate of her brother's children. But she is taken hostage on a renegade riverboat and is forced to travel against the current, toward the past, where a lost king, lost friendship, and lost power offer danger and hope for the plague-devastated land.

"That is a ghost house," Macy said. A crowd of brightly-painted dancing jacks dangled from the pack on her back. A fantastic clockwork creature stood beside her, frozen mid-step. "The ghosts are many, and hungry. They will follow you like beggars until you have bled yourself dry."

As Macy turned away, one of the jacks dangling from the pack glanced at Ash with an insouciant grin and kicked its striped-stockinged feet.

"Wait," said Ash. "How much for a dancing jack?"

"No more than you can afford."

Ash unpinned the dancing jack from Macy's pack and handed over her pennies. Macy took the money solemnly, and followed her clockwork toy down the street, unhurriedly, letting it lead the way. The dancing jack Ash had purchased seemed oddly heavy. One foot stood firmly planted, and the other kicked gleefully out. One hand hung limp, empty-handed. The other was lifted, holding out a star. Ash's heart felt pierced.

"Ghost Dog," she said, shaken. "What have I done?"