An all-new adventure in the Kingdoms and Empires fantasies, where Astrid is stranded on Earth and no-one believes she comes from another world. 

Astrid Verity Mettlestone Staranise can always tell when someone’s lying. It makes her an unbeatable poker player. It makes the mayor want to hire her to stop contestants from cheating in the Pinnacle tournament. 

But it doesn’t help when she’s thrown from the Kingdoms and Empires directly into our world—a world that will steal not only her memory, but the essence of who she is. 

Ordinarily, Astrid would rely on her older sisters, Esther and Imogen, to rescue her. But Esther’s on a school trip to a wilderness camp, along with a Whisperer, a sea monster, and a Faery named Vibrant-May. Almost immediately, Esther’s group has found themselves trapped on an island, their food supply running out, facing vicious attacks from Shadow Mages and wild beasts—all while dodging the frying pans and grand pianos that keep falling from the sky. It’s a terrifying challenge just to survive, let alone track down Astrid . . . 

Imogen, meanwhile, is busy at the Elven Games with her cousin Bronte Mettlestone, and friend Oscar. They’re enjoying the sport, but they’re also seeking out a True Mage who has turned evil, someone whose wicked plan might tear the fabric of the universe to shreds—leaving Astrid stranded in our world forever. 

Who started all this? And who can stop it? 

"A must-have for any middle grade collection with fantasy lovers, and those who enjoy the likes of Roald Dahl, Neil Gaiman, and Lemony Snicket.” ––School Library Journal, (starred)