A mammoth, epic, gothic fantasy. England's Dark Ages are returning through mythical/supernatural resurrections of ancient Vikings, witches and preachers, ready to battle once more. For years Fran Bennet has been haunted by a night long ago on Salisbury Plain when she was chased by a cold shadow into woods with no birds. Now, the visions are getting worse - a head luminous with decay, an animal reek lingering long after the figure has gone. Gary Martin has fared no better. He has looked infinity in the face and slunk into the shadows of life. He was once a promising schoolboy, set for University...until his interest in an antique starchart unwittingly summoned the Ravensbreed - a 9th century sect who have pledged to haunt the land and protect it from invasion in its darkest hour. That hour has now come. And all hell is about to break loose.