As World War II waned, Americans and Japanese battled for the Philippines, with villages and families caught in the crossfire. In this compelling novel, the author tells of the Karangalan family, who huddle in their basement with their neighbors, emerging only when hunger and thirst force them into a world where the smallest misstep leads to capture by Japanese patrols who torture captives for information. As the interminable hours pass, they share with each other the tales and myths of their country, granting them solace and courage. Told through the voices of 13-year-old Alejandro, his spirited older sister Isabelle, and Domingo, a war-weary guerilla leader, the novel is a beautifully crafted story of strength and endurance in the face of unspeakable horror.