Polly Perks disguises herself as a boy to join the army of Borogravia - a small, mad country at war with everyone, ruled by a duchess who may or may not be dead, and governed by an ever-growing list of Abominations Unto Nuggan (clove, the colour blue, babies, rocks). Polly's regiment turns out to have more secrets than she expected. A war novel about gender, patriotism, and the absurdity of the things nations ask their people to die for.