A city in the desert hanging by chains over a deep hole, the ancient city of Deepgate is home to a young angel kept locked away in a monastery. The last of his line, Dill is a descendant from legendary battle-archons who once defended the city. Forbidden to fly and untrained even to wield the great sword inherited from his forebears, he has become a figurehead for a dying tradition.
Now he lives a sheltered existence in one of Deepgate’s crumbling temple spires under the watchful eye of the Presbyter who rules the city.
This young angel Dill is taken under the protection and mentorship of a young assassin named Rachel. Rachel must protect Dill from the only other angel in Deepgate, a psychotic demigod hungry for revenge — or redemption — who drinks the blood of the citizens of Deepgate. A shocking betrayal will unite all three in a desperate quest.
When a traitor brings enemies to Deepgate’s doorstep, Dill and Rachel are forced into an uneasy alliance with the city’s oldest and most dangerous foe, Carnival. They must journey down into the uncharted chasm to save their sprawling metropolis — and themselves — from annihilation. Once they descend however, they learn that what lies below is far more sinister than what they’ve been taught to expect.
The angel Carnival is one of the best characters in steampunk and alone makes Scar Night a must-read. She is a dark anti-hero whose role changes throughout the novel and its sequels.
