The rebellious scion of a magical dynasty may hold the key to bring peace to his world in the first entry of this epic fantasy adventure duology.

As the son of a long line of magically gifted, pureblood cartographers and diviners, Valen knows his path in life is predetermined by his family and society. On his seventh birthday, his own parents even went so far as to predict his death. He thought rebellion might steer him clear of his family's legacy, but the life of a thief was not the best choice. Wounded during a heist, Valen is abandoned by his partner in crime and left for dead in the freezing rain with only a worthless book of maps.

Offered sanctuary in a nearby monastery, Valen is soon drawn into a secret society concerned with the fall of civilization. With civil war looming, a dark age looms on the horizon, and Valen's seemingly worthless book may be the key to saving the kingdom. Unfortunately for him, that means it's time to stop running and embrace his destiny . . .

The two books of the Lighthouse Duet-Flesh and Spirit and Breath and Bone-jointly received the 2009 Mythopoeic Fantasy Award

"Engrossing. . . . Vividly rendered details give this book such power." -Sharon Shinn, national bestselling author of Troubled Waters and Mystic and Rider

"Berg creates a troubled world full of politics, anarchy and dark magic. It is the growth in Valen's character that brings heart to this work. . . . The magic is fascinating. . . . This fast-paced novel captivated me, and I am looking forward to Breath and Bone, the concluding volume to the series." -SFRevu

"Moments of colorful intensity highlight this coming-of-age adventure." -Entertainment Weekly