What would you give to make good on the sins of yourpast? For merchant Barnabas McDoon, the answer is: everything. When emissariesfrom a world called Yount offer Barnabas a chance to redeem himself, he acceptstheir price to voyage to Yount with the key that only he can use tounlock the door to their prison. But bleak forces seek to stop him: Yount'sjailer, a once-human wizard who craves his own salvation, kidnaps Barnabas'snephew. A fallen angel a monstrous owl with eyes of fire willunleash Hell if Yount is freed. And, meanwhile, Barnabas's niece, Sally, and a mysterious pauper named Maggie seek withdream-songs to wake the sleeping goddess who may be the only hope for Yount andEarth alike.