Simeon Dark is the most powerful sorcerer in the land of the Drift. Mysterious, cunning, a shape-shifter, only he can stop the evil Strood and save the Drift from dying. But where is he?

Nin finds her way to Dark's mansion - a strange castle with a garden and lake spilling into the sky. There she finds a ribbon of shadowy light: could this be the unsaid spell and the clue to unlocking the mystery of Simeon Dark?

Meanwhile, Strood is preparing his distillation machine, his pet tigers and some barrels of blood and is coming after her. . .

Caro King has created a funny, rich, thrilling adventure, interwoven with fantastical creatures, myth and magic.