Flora goes in search of her childhood hero, Tiny Doom, in hopes that she will be able to lead the rebellion against the Birdies. Along the way, Flora falls in with a were-bear and falls out with her vainglorious friend Udo. I felt like it took forever to get Flora to Fort Stompy (or whatever it's called), and the introduction of Flora Primera in the last chapter of this book made me feel like this whole book was just setting up the characters for much more exciting and explosive adventures in the next book. The plot was just too episodic, and Flora doesn't have much impact or insight into the much more interesting and world-shaking subterfuge going on around her. Plus, Flora is brave but often stupid. I lost count of the number of times she spurned good advice and help in favor of her own terrible plans. It makes her a realistic teenager, but frustrating to read! So I gave this four stars for the characters (who remain fantastic) and the magic systems and world-building (which are the most extravagently enjoyable of any fantasy book I've read in years).