Every year since 1904, when the ice breaks up on the North Saskatchewan River, Edmonton has crowned a Melting Queen -- a woman who presides over the Melting Day spring carnival and who must keep the city''s spirits up over the following winter. But this year, something has changed: a genderfluid ex-frat brother called River Runson is named as Melting Queen. As River''s reign upends the city''s century-old traditions, Edmonton tears itself in two, with progressive and reactionary factions fighting a war for Edmonton''s soul. Ultimately, River must uncover the hidden history of Melting Day, forcing Edmonton to confront the dark underbelly of its traditions and leading the city into a new chapter in its history. Balancing satire with compassion, Bruce Cinnamon''s debut novel combines history and magic to weave a splendid future-looking tale.
