One year ago, the shadows shifted and began to show something different - not people's shapes, but their real selves. Now, on the first anniversary of the event, teenage friends Teddy, Betsy and Effie plan to risk all and watch the winter sun rise over Copperwell, in defiance of the Shadow Order. But from their hidden vantage point they witness a mysterious woman shout a dire warning, before being arrested, beaten and dragged away in handcuffs. The event leads them on an extraordinary series of dangerous adventures as they discover more about the disturbance in the natural world surrounding Copperwell, battle to save their city, and start to recognise their truest selves.