Monsters and rogues abound in this utterly original, exciting and fearsome fantasy tale of an orphaned boy's journey to seek his destiny. Not all monsters look like monsters. Some everyday folk are the worst monsters of all . . . Rossamund Bookchild's lamplighting career has been brought to a dramatic close, and he now faces a new life as personal assistant to Europe, a powerful monster-hunter. As he settles into his new role, he finally discovers the story of his origins - a story that must remain hidden if he is to survive in a land divided by the conflict between men and monsters. But now that he knows the truth, how can Rossamund work alongside a professional monster-hater? Only his loyalty to Europe keeps him by her side as they embark on a dangerous monster-hunting tour that must in tragedy...