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In the novel, Helen Lowe introduces the reader to The House of Night, a warrior House of the Derai Alliance. The House of Night is believed to be the "first and oldest" of all Nine Houses in the Alliance. An ancient prophecy says that if the House of Night falls, then all of the Derai will fall. The house is led by the Earl of Night, the main character, Malian, is the teenage heir to the House of Night. In the world of Haarth, there are nine houses of a race not native to the world of Haarth called the Derai, some are allies, and some are enemies, but all with one common, overarching goal: each of these houses works to defend the Wall of Night, a vast mountain range that separates the Derai from their ancient and mortal enemies, the Swarm of Dark.