Rose Santanov is a Royal Moroi, one of the 13 Royal families. Only she and her younger sister Nicole remain. Rose's family died in a plane crash on their way back to court. Rose and her sister now live with Rose's best friend Vasilisa Dragomir and her family. Rose, Lissa and their friends all attend 's Academy, where they study to find out more about their rare specialization in Spirit. But with Strigoi lurking in the shadows will Rose ever truly be happy.