Nel, an Alari who wields a Flight Rune, takes her final trial to be inducted into a special group of Windriders—Alari who have proven themselves especially gifted fliers. The Alari are a race of people born with runes that imbue them with certain powers. Among those with Flight Runes, becoming a Windrider is a high honor rarely achieved. Nel must use all her strength, skill, and cleverness to pass the Windrider Trial and take her place among her peers, but when unexpected danger arises, the flock must pull together to survive, or perish.