Böcker av Mary Trask

A dark and devious plan is revealed to the village elders of Kumani as a new figure steps up to take control of the island. Elders scramble to maintain their fragile hold of power over the lowlanders while the residents of the Eagles' Nest formulate their own plans. Ms. Bina's informational "tea parties" spread throughout the villages, while Galen, Shoshanna, Roany, and Uri begin their training at the Eagles' Nest. Together with the others there they must step up to face their own fears. Lives are at risk and the hope of freedom is dependent upon their success. As families flee their villages in search of an escape, rescuers from both the Eagles' Nest and some residents of the lowlands are called upon for assistance. The dangerous plans of this new leader must be stopped and the victims of this conspiracy rescued. Will their efforts be enough to halt the planned annihilation of villages and any "unnecessary" residents of Kumani?

Four escaping dissenters must make the difficult journey up the smoking mountains to finally reach the mysterious Eagles' Nest. While not fully understanding what lies ahead of them, Shoshanna, Galen, Roany, and Uri discover more about themselves as they push forward towards their destination. Multiple challenges along the way compel them to deal with every area in their lives in order to overcome the struggles they face. Meanwhile, in the lowlands, the successful escape of the dissenters results in villagers viewing them as heroes. Threatened by these rumors, village elders, informants, and the enforcers increase their efforts by pressuring all those affiliated with the dissenters to assist in their recapture. Family and friends must now make choices for themselves. With several generations of indoctrination and fear-based control, only the boldest of individuals find the courage to confront any decisions made by the village elders. Surrounded by difficult circumstances, islanders on Kumani are forced to decide if they are willing to let go of all they have been taught and all they own in order to embrace the way of the eagle.

In a simple world isolated on an island, both fear and control have gone unchecked for generations. Village elders have plotted and convinced residents that the only way they can ensure their preservation on this volcanic island is to entirely submit to their directives on every major decision in their lives. Those questioning the elders either die suddenly or disappear from among the people. Like the smoldering haze that covers the island, fear has enslaved the minds of the residents preventing them from seeing anything clearly. A young woman, desperate for happiness, stumbles across a group of people living very uncommon lives and are apparently unaffected by the haze. As she joins these dissenters, her life changes dramatically and threatens the plans of the elders as she learns to follow the wisdom she has been given. Arrests, dramatic prison breaks, and a number of uncommon events surround the lives of those following the ways of the eagle. The incessant pursuit of the enforcers determined to see their capture brings this conflict to a head on the island of Kumani.