This is the second book in the Seeker Chronicles, the tale of Kat, a soon-to-be-woman of the Hill people. Betsy James weaves a wonderful tale in the full three books. The first is Long Night Dance, then Dark Heart, finishing with a bang with Listening at the Gate. Read them in order! Magical half-seal half human people, mysterious red-headed women of the mountains, and down-to-earth shore people must all come together to keep evil from destroying their lands. Kat, the main character, winds through it all and becomes a woman of grit and art.