In a sprawling palace governed by enigmatic giant Ladies, the land is slowly succumbing to decay. When the Guardian of the West Passage dies, leaving the passage unprotected, strange occurrences begin to unfold. Snow falls in summer, rats flee from the ground, and crops wither, signaling the awakening of a lurking Beast beneath the soil. Amidst this turmoil, a young Mother from Grey House embarks on a quest to restore the seasons, while an unnamed apprentice seeks to warn the Black Tower of impending danger. Their paths converge at the West Passage, an ancient route tied to the Beast's awakening. Along their journey, they encounter a variety of characters, from schoolteachers to beekeepers, and face both miracles and monsters. As they navigate this mysterious world, the fate of the palace and its inhabitants hangs in the balance, with change looming on the horizon.

The 17152nd greatest book of all time