'In a world terrified of magic, a boy is abandoned to the worst school in the world, a place designed to crush all magic out of him - GRINDGRIM. But Runcible Jones has to learn magic, to uncover the truth about his father's death on another world.

'Hurled through a gate to magical Iltior, Runcie's arrival begins a war that will spread to Earth. And why is Lord Shambles, the blackest sorcerer on Iltior, hunting Runcie?

'To uncover the truth, Runcie must fight the dreadful sorcerer.

'Even if he wins, nothing will ever be the same again.' (Publication summary)

'In this adventure, Runcible and Mariam are in even worse trouble, for Lord Shambles has returned, stronger than ever. Once he finds the lost Citadel of Magic there will be no defence against his dreadful sorcery - and with it he plans to take over the world of Iltior, then drive Earth back to the Dark Ages.

'To stop Shambles, the children must defy his Night Stalkers, journey back to wondrous Iltior and descend to the uttermost pole. But even if they find the Codex of Dreadful Spells, Runcible still has to unravel the mystery of the tainted children then face his most terrifying nightmare - the sting of the giant scorpion.' (Publication summary)

'After every defeat, Lord Shambles returns stronger than before, and more determined to punish humanity. Having crushed all resistance on magical Iltior, he moves the war to Earth, an Earth that is on the verge of collapse.

'Unfortunately, Earth's weapons are useless against this enemy. Only Runcible Jones can stop him, though it's an impossible battle - a fourteen-year-old boy against the most terrible sorcerer on two worlds. Runcie will need every bit of his courage and cunning to save Earth.

'And this time, someone close to him is going to die.' (Publication summary)