Lenk and his band of murderous misfits are loathed by society, spurned by all merciful gods, and motivated only by their distrust of each other. Hired to track down a stolen book, Lenk finds his skills put to the test facing fishlike beasts, psychotic purple warrior women, and the ferocity of an ocean that loathes him as much as his own people do. Plus, he has to keep his companions from killing each other so he can save that pleasure for himself.