Publisher, Random House Audiobooks (September 2006)

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A chance encounter on the snowy slopes of a castle moat throws together three lonely teenagers: Emily, Simon, and the highly imaginative and enigmatic Marcus.

At first, the castle’s ruins are merely the backdrop to a day in the snow. But when the three break in to the forbidden interior of the keep, they find the castle taking on a different, and deeper, meaning. Despite the freezing conditions, they spend the night there, to experience the power of occupation.

But when the reenactment gets out of control a very real siege ensues, and their playful dare soon turns into a frenzy of nightmarish action.

About the Author: Jonathan Stroud is the New York Times best-selling author of the Bartimaeus Trilogy: The Amulet of Samarkand, Golem’s Eye and Ptolemy’s Gate, all available on audio from Listening Library. He is also the author of The Leap and Buried Fire. He lives in England with his family.

About the Performer: David Thorn has recorded a wide range of children's and classical literature and was nominated for an Audie Award in 2006 by the American Audio Publishers Association.