All Jennyver wants to do is to stay in her little room in Dargonele Abbey, read her books and bide her time until her father returns to take her away to their new home in the south of Scarlosia. She finds herself in a cold world where customs are rigid and complex, music is forbidden, marriages are arranged, and people covet a legendary sword. She learns to her horror that she is expected to take her grandmother's place as Leader of the Seven Tribes and command a formidable army in order to protect a legendary book that has been a carefully guarded family secret for over one thousand generations.

Dwelling deep within the Scarlosian legends is the illuminated Book of Orain; a book that is reputed to be so powerful and potentially destructive, that the dark-souled leader of the warlike Sakarans rampages through Scarlosia in search of it. After a foiled kidnap attempt, Jennyver is whisked away to her grandmother's fortress in the north of Scarlosia for protection. She leaves behind a life of tranquility as well as a handsome young champion swordsman who risked his life to save her. Jennyver arrives in the harsh territory of Dargonele where she is welcomed with great excitement and ceremony by the people in the village and inhabitants of the ancient fortress of Dargonele Abbey. Much to Jennyver's surprise, her long red hair is a rarity on Scarlosia and regarded as an omen that the legend of the red-haired one will bring victory their people by vanquishing the evil that is overtaking their world. Jennyver is reunited with a family she never knew existed. She is befriended by her mischievous and lively cousin, Sharalee, a serious minded boy, Alcar, and a visiting student, Wes. Together, they help Jennyver adjust to her new life in Dargonele. Not long after arriving at her ancestral home, Jennyver is informed that she is expected to learn how to wield a sword, ride a great war-horse and lead battles against the leader of the Sakaran nation. Jennyver is taken by her grandmother to an underground chamber where the legendary Book of Orain is concealed. Jennyver is told that she is to become the next guardian of the most powerful and dangerous book on Scarlosia. She is sternly warned that the guardianship of the Book of Orain is a closely guarded secret that is passed down through a matriarchal line. It is her duty to honor her ancient family obligation by learning the verses in the book and eventually pass on the guardianship of the Book of Orain to her daughter. But to Jennyver's dismay, the key to unleashing the tremendous powers of the Book of Orain is lost.

Jennyver is delighted when Myles, the young champion swordsman who had rescued her, is brought to Dargonele Abbey for protection. Jennyver forms an attachment to the moody and secretive Myles. She is faced with many questions while adjusting to her new life. Will she submit to centuries old customs or will she defy community and familial pressures? Will she be forced to accept an arranged loveless marriage in order to fulfill her ancient family obligation? What will become of her growing affection for Myles? And what secrets is he hiding? Besides dealing with her personal turmoil, Jennyver races against time to learn the skills necessary to protect both herself and the Book of Orain. She needs to find the key that will unleash the Book of Orain's tremendous powers before it falls into evil hands. Instead of coming to Dargonele for protection, Jennyver finds herself in a world that is rife with treachery, intrigue, and betrayal; a world that she is totally unprepared for.