It is 1917 in Japanese-occupied Korea, and a young girl named Jade is sold by her family to Miss Silver's courtesan school, where she befriends the orphaned beggar JungHo. As they come of age, JungHo is swept up in the revolutionary fight for independence, and Jade becomes a sought-after performer with a new romantic prospect of noble birth. Soon Jade must decide whether she will risk everything for the one who would do the same for her.

"[This novel] is epic in scope, but it's also filled with intimate language and moments."—NPR