Elspeth is a young witch living in a world where magic is normal… but only for women. Ever since the Great Curse struck all men dumb, they have been unable to cast a single spell. Despairing of ever hearing the man she loves utter the three most beautiful words imaginable, “I love you,” Elspeth decides to find out why the Curse was inflicted… and soon discovers that her new quest is beset by all kinds of obstacles and taboos—not least the apparently significant part played in it by her own great aunt. But Elspeth is determined to break the Curse and restore equality between men and women in the kingdom.