Halla, a princess abandoned at birth and raised by wild creatures, must choose between hoarding worldly possessions or embracing a life of freedom. Raised by bears and dragons, Halla is offered a choice by Odin: to remain tied to the material world and its riches, or to travel light and embrace a more ephemeral existence. Her decision will shape her destiny as she navigates a world transitioning from mythic ages to more grounded realities, encountering both the fantastical and the mundane.

The book is lauded as a philosophical fairy tale, drawing comparisons to works by authors like Ursula K. Le Guin and T. H. White. Critics highlight its magical and wondrous qualities, noting that its enchantments contain a gritty, hard-edged view of the world that offers more truth than mundane descriptions. It is described as a gem of a book, combining fantasy with a sharp edge of reality, and is highly recommended for its unique blend of magic and straightforward storytelling.