Lief, Barda, and Jasmine have survived the treacherous Lake of Tears. Now, they must journey on to the City of the Rats, where the third gem of the Belt of Deltora is hidden. Along the way, they run into trouble and are captured by the inhabitants of a mysterious city called Noradz. In a place with so many strange rules and customs, it's only a matter of time before the three companions make a mistake and are punished. They escape and make their way out of the city, but ahead of them lies their goal - the horrifying City of the Rats. Long ago, the city was overrun by evil, and the few surviving inhabitants fled. Now, Lief, Barda, and Jasmine must survive the brutal onslaught of rats at the city's entrance, and if they make it through, they must face the horrible Guardian of the city. I reccomend this book to all readers who enjoyed the first two books in the Deltora Quest series.