AustLit

'Pummel is a farm boy who has arrived in the city of Neuhalt seeking work. But things are different in the city—if you see ghosts or believe in magic, you are guilty of the crime of disloyalty. The devious Lord Rump and his granddaughter, Duckling, need a disposable boy, and Pummel fits the bill perfectly. Lord Rump's machinations take both children into the enchanted castle of Neuhalt and before long they are entwined in a plot to kill the heir to the Faithful Throne, the Young Margrave. If they want to protect the Young Margrave, and save themselves from an awful death, Duckling and Pummel must learn to use the magic that no one else believes in.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Duckling and Pummel are trying to take the Young Margrave to a place of safety, far away from the dreadful Harshman. But they have enemies they don't know about, and all too soon they find themselves captured. Their witchery should save them—but their witchery has gone, vanished. How will they get it back? A vividly exciting trilogy set in the same world as the Keepers, with all new characters, in a brilliant fantasy-adventure.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Magic, mayhem and a ruthless, ghost-eating demon feature in this exciting conclusion to The Rogues from the award-winning author of the highly-acclaimed Keepers series.

'The Harshman brought his fist down on the arm of the Faithful Throne, and roared to the sleeping people, 'I … Am … Margrave … Now.'

'Having escaped the salt mines, Duckling, Pummel, Sooli and Otte return to the Strong-hold to find out who is responsible for raising the murderous Harshman. But with Grafine von Eisen ruling as Regent, all that awaits them is the dungeon and the executioner's axe.

'The children must hide in the Strong-hold's stone walls, while Sooli walks the path of death, searching desperately for clues. And when the Harshman arrives, turning friends and allies against each other, time is running out.

'With no one on their side but a cat, a ghost, and a chicken who has forgotten her true identity, the children must use all their wits - and all their magic - to defeat the Harshman before he becomes unstoppable.'  (Publication summary)