After two happy centuries in the prelife, Faythe is battling the most dangerous human emotion. She's bored. But when she accepts a once-in-a-prelifetime opportunity to become Apprentice at the magical Shop Before Life, her days become dreadfully interesting. Now she helps customers with the most important choice they'll ever make: who to become in the afterprelife--or "life", for short. Will they be born on Earth with MATHEMATICAL GIFTS? Or perhaps they'd prefer DELIGHTED BY CATS? But Faythe has questions of her own. Like--what exactly is in these jars of human traits? And who is the mysterious Supplier who creates them? Unfortunately, these questions could awaken an ancient conflict and even destroy the Shop itself. They should maybe mention that sort of thing during orientation. Management are going to be furious, but their divine punishment must wait. Right now, Faythe needs to discover the secrets of the Shop in order to save it. If she fails, nobody will become themselves ever again . . .