In a world struggling back from the brink of apocalypse, life is harsh. And for Elspeth Gordie, it is also dangerous. That's because Elspeth has a secret: she is a Misfit, born with mysterious mental abilities that she must keep hidden under threat of death. And her worries only multiply when she is exiled to the mountain compound known as Obernewtyn, wherefor all her talentsElspeth may finally and truly be out of her depth. Then she learns shes not the only one concealing secrets at Obernewtyn.