** spoiler alert ** 
 merging books #1 and #2 
 the community where Jonas from 1st book and Kira's father and her friend Matt for 2nd fled to is introduces 
 an idyll where those deformed, lost or cast out from other communities are welcomed 
 the nature of this community begins to change through "trades" as members become more selfish and suspicious and plan to seal their borders 
 Matt, noticing his own gift for healing, sets out on a final journey across the Forest to bring Kira to village, but the forest is also becoming malevolent, perhaps symbolic of the changes in the community 
 Matt ultimately sacrificing himself to heal the forest and community, apparently