Book 2 of The Phoenix Child Series The Painter's Child Avril has saved her mother from the Pit of the Heat of a Thousand Suns, but more woe has befalled them. Banished from their home, the pair come upon a strange, listless village. There are no Old Ones or children - save one: the Painter's child. Here, Jezsha finds a willing audience for her thirst for power and knowledge, and Avril befriends the quiet, withdrawn child. Can Avril and the Painter's child work together to protect the people from Jezsha's evil designs? Will Jezsha continue along her path of destruction? And will The One Who Comes Before All Time help the children once again?