Three years after the events of?ÿThe Golems Eye, the young magician Nathaniel is an established member of the British Government.
But he faces unprecedented problems: foreign wars are going badly and Britains enemies are mounting attacks close to London.
Increasingly distracted, he is treating Bartimaeus worse than ever: the long-suffering djinni is growing weak from too much time in this world, and his patience is at an end. Meanwhile, undercover in London, Kitty has been stealthily completing her research into magic and Bartimaeus past. She hopes to break the endless cycle of conflict between djinn and humans — but will she be able to get anyone to listen?
Before any of these problems can be resolved, disaster strikes London from an unexpected source and the destinies of Bartimaeus, Nathanial, and Kitty are thrown together once more. They have to face treacherous magicians, a long-fermented conspiracy, and an enemy from The Other Place that threatens London and the world. Worst of all, they must somehow cope with each other . . .
Bartimaeus fans will be entranced by Strouds brilliantly conceived finale to the series — sure to be a major best seller.