Jonathan Stroud is the author of two internationally bestselling series: the award-winning Bartimaeus Sequence, which has been published in thirty-six languages worldwide, and the critically acclaimed Lockwood & Co., which is currently being adapted by Netflix. His stand-alone titles include Heroes of the Valley, The Last Siege, The Leap, and Buried Fire.
Jonathan lives near London with his wife and three children.

★ "Stroud dishes up another headlong plot replete with cliffhangers, breathtaking feats, and all-too-narrow escapes. Rousing, swashbuckling fun." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred

★ "[A] fizzingly paced adventure. Full of action, outlaws, dystopian societies, and post-apocalyptic ghouls. To say the stakes are high is an understatement, but that is Stroud at his best. Both hilarious and suspenseful." --The Horn Book Magazine, starred

"Stroud outdoes himself in this second book, finding inventive ways to amp up the thrills as Scarlett and Albert tackle more dangerous heists and confront fearsome villains from their pasts. The author displays a cinematic eye for detail in thrilling action sequences. Stroud's writing crackles with wit. The extremely satisfying ending seems to promise yet another book in this marvelous series." --The Buffalo News

"Stroud's inventive plotting and playful language make for a clever, suspenseful and fizzingly paced adventure." --Toronto Star

"Humorous, nail-biting and rich in unexpected turns of phrase, this is beautifully constructed storytelling of the first order." -- Sunday Times

"Witty and scary." Financial Times, Best books of 2022: Young adult

"[A] rowdy, rollicking, remarkable road trip." -- Daily Mail

"Funny and gripping, it will be irresistible to anyone, child or adult, who loves action movies and steampunk." -- New Statesman

Publisher: Bound to Stay Bound Books

Pub date: 2023-04-25

Length: 422 pages