friend in her neighborhood at her new home, Thomas, who is a boy around Kira's age. Thomas is also an orphan and has lived there since he was very young because of his abilities. Kira learns that he is the woodworker who maintains and improves the Singer's staff, which, in turn, helps the Singer remember the history of the society as he sings the lengthy song. Together, they help each other bring out the best in their talents to prepare for The Gathering. Jamison, the Guardian who fought for her life in the trial, becomes somewhat of a mentor in her new home. He is kind and instructive but also very stern. Kira slowly learns that her life is less than idyllic. Thomas hears crying in her building, and they discover another orphan, a very young girl, Jo, whose ability to sing is magnificent. She is kept with the intent of eventually replacing the current Singer. Jo is scolded and punished if she does not sing. Kira secretly befriends her and sneaks into Jo's locked room at night to comfort her. Kira realizes that the three do not have as much freedom as they had previously thought. Annabella abruptly dies, and Matt tells Kira that the old dyer had died and been dragged to the Field by Jamison and his men. Kira is later told that Annabella had died of old age and died while asleep by Jamison. Kira is left to continue her work. That and the secluded life that a very young Jo must live help Kira decide to find out the truth about her society. On the day that the Singer sings the Song at the Gathering, Matt is nowhere to be found. At the Ceremony of the Gathering, she notices that the current Singer both uses the staff that Thomas has worked so hard on and wears the robe that she repaired and enhanced. She realizes that his feet are chained, scarred, and bleeding. This implies that he is essentially a prisoner kept for the Ceremony because of his talent. This implies that Kira and the others with Gifts, which the council has saved for their jobs, are also prisoners. Their gifts are in control of the council by tenants who, without any creativity of their own, seek to control the three to provide a future that they envision. After a long absence, Matt returns with