Shade is a young Silverwing bat, the runt of his colony, determined to prove himself on the long and dangerous winter migration to Hibernaculum, millions of wingbeats to the south. During a storm, Shade is swept out over the ocean—away from his family, his friends, and the only life he has ever known. Alone and frightened as winter fast approaches and temperatures plunge, Shade sets out on a remarkable journey to rejoin his colony. After meeting a banded bat, Marina, the two must survive a world torn apart by war, and solve the mystery behind the banded bats. Like all great quest stories, Silverwing raises potent questions for its young hero, while challenging him to find his place in the world.