Violet Everly's life is steeped in a mystery she must unravel before time runs out. Descended from the ill-fated Everly lineage, she faces an ultimatum—find her mother, who vanished a decade ago while attempting to break a family curse, or surrender herself to the timeless Penelope, a debt-collector who never forgets. As Violet's search propels her through an arcane realm brimming with scholar-mages, capricious deities, and vengeful entities, she crosses paths with Aleksander, the enigmatic assistant to her nemesis. Despite the distrust shadowing his every move, Violet feels a compelling draw to him. Underneath lies the City of Stardust, the origin of her family's woes, holding the secrets of their curse. With the clock ticking, she must navigate the treacheries of this magical underworld to save herself and unravel the truth hidden in the stardust.