Twelve-year-old Beatrice is only half human, but she doesn't know it. As far as she's concerned, she's just another unfortunate slip in the foster care system. It's finally summer break in North Brook and Beatrice is in the middle of escaping her Foster Monster's jail sentence when she accidentally finds a burnt letter in the fireplace. Only a few words survived the flames, but they're enough for Beatrice to realize she might not know herself as well as she thought. Beatrice recruits her friends and together they set out on a hunt that unveils proof of Beatrice's mysterious heritage: she comes from a magical world called Nightingale, and she's half Starling--the most beautiful species of faerie. But Nightingale is threatened by Sevin, the evil Starling who exiled Beatrice when she was a baby. Beatrice soon learns that many have risked everything to protect her from her hidden past- including some magical creatures that have taken up residence in the human world- and that the fate of Nightingale rests solely on her shoulders. While all of Beatrice's guardians are warning her to stay away from Sevin and the dangers of Nightingale, one person offers words of encouragement. Wanting nothing more than to protect Nightingale and the family she has there, Beatrice has no choice but to listen to the one person no one else trusts.