Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses the source text’s depictions of antisemitism and Islamophobia.

The story begins with a creation myth: The first man and woman, Dwayne and Gladys, awoke, having been created by the Maker, and Dwayne said “Well, here we are” (11), which is why people now call the world “Aerwiar.” Aerwiar has two continents. The western one is Skree. East, across the Dark Sea of Darkness, lies the continent of Dang, which is inhabited by violent lizard people called the Fangs. The Fangs are ruled by Gnag the Nameless. A decade ago, the Fangs invaded and occupied Skree. The Igiby family lives in a small cottage in the village of Glipwood, which is set on the cliffs next to the Dark Sea of Darkness. The three Igiby children live with their mother and grandfather.

Twelve-year-old Janner Igiby lies in bed and hears the terrifying rumble of the Black Carriage. The Fangs regularly kidnap children and take them away in the Black Carriage to be tortured and killed. This time, the carriage continues past Igiby's cottage, and Janner and his siblings are safe.