On the planet Derdain, many scattered communities are united under a single name—Chant—ruled alone by Anome, the Faceless Man.
Upon reaching adulthood, explosive collars are placed on every man’s and woman’s neck, and Anome can activate them at any second. Judge and executioner in one person, he has kept the population in obedience for decades and maintains a fragile balance through fear.
But one day, on Derdain, the Rogushkoi appear—cruel humanoids who kill men and take women away. And contrary to expectations, Anome does nothing to stop them.
When the invaders take the life of Gastel Etzvein’s mother, the young man swears to find out who hides behind the name of the Faceless Man and to destroy his power.
Soon, secrets of Derdain will start to unfold before him—one after another, as if fragile toys shattering into pieces. And he learns that the burden of responsibility may cost far more than it seems.
Jack Vance’s classic trilogy is a path of growing up and fighting for freedom against the backdrop of ancient mysteries, where behind every mask you remove, another is revealed—and the price for choosing can be unimaginably high.