With their father away as a chaplain in the Civil War, Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy grow up with their mother in somewhat reduced circumstances. They are a close family who inevitably have their squabbles and tragedies. But the bond holds even when, later, male friends start to become a part of the household.

In a land where the birth of twins is taboo, a king and queen come into conflict with the gods and each other when they have twins of their own.