AustLit

'A maid with a plan.

'A squire with a secret.

'A missing jewel.

'A kingdom in turmoil.

'Maven and Reeve have three days to solve the mystery of the Fire Star. If they don’t, they’ll lose everything.

'This could be a complete disaster . . . or the beginning of a friendship.

'Bestselling author A. L. Tait is back with the intriguing story of two unlikely allies and a mystery to solve that could change their lives.' (Publication summary)

'As the race to map the world continues, so does farmboy turned reluctant adventurer Quinn's voyage into the unknown. After docking in an exotic foreign port, Quinn is captured by ruthless Gelynion explorer Juan Forden. Is this the end of the race for Quinn - or just the beginning of another incredible adventure? The Mapmaker Chronicles continue in this rollicking story, filled with strange lands, dangerous creatures, secrets, pirates and fierce battles.' (Publication summary)

'A map of the world? Why did the King need one of those? Besides, everyone knew that if you went too far in either direction you'd fall off the edge, and if that didn't kill you Genesi the dragon of death would be waiting.

'The King is determined to discover what lies beyond the known world, and has promised a handsome prize to the ship's captain who can bring him a map of the whole globe. To do that, they'll need mapmakers - and 14-year-old Quinn is shocked to be one of the chosen. While his older brothers long for adventure, Quinn is content with a quiet life on the farm, but when word of his special talent gets out, he has no choice but to pack his bags and join the mismatched crew of slaves and stowaways on board the Libertas.

'The other competitors will do anything to win, but the greatest danger may come from the strange sea monster hot on their tail or the mysterious unchartered lands for which they are bound. Nobody knows what lies off the edge of the map, but Quinn is about to find out that it's more than anyone bargained for... (Publisher's abstract)