AustLit

'Magda and her three friends—also witches —are recovering from injuries sustained in a recent civil war. Sylvia seems to have lost her powers completely, and Leenan is stuck in the body of a dragon. Only Tephee is physically recovered, but she has changed in other ways. Confusion is added to the war’s aftermath by the arrival of Sebastian, an Arc priest who worships the space-faring founders of this world. He has reports of an “Arc vessel” which has crashed on Marin Kuta, an island off the west coast. Magda suspects the vessel may be a spaceship from Earth and determines to find it, seeking medical treatment for her injured friends. Marin Kuta was originally home to the Leylites, Earth-Mother worshippers who revere witches and are brutally persecuted by the Arc priests.

'Despite the danger, the witches decide to investigate. They are accompanied by Sebastian, who is convinced that Magda has been sent to heal the rift between the two religions, and Cadogan Ho, a Leylite refugee from Marin Kuta who is now sergeant of the Castle Guard. The witches meet with awe and love as they travel—but also with fear and hatred. And death.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.