First published 2000
Howard Sykes walks into his kitchen to discover a massive thug waiting for him. The Goon works for Archer, one of seven wizard siblings who run every aspect of their town. Archer wants the two thousand words that Howard's father owes him, and he will not wait any longer. The Sykes family learns that seven megalomaniac wizards control everything around them, from the electricity that powers their home to the police who patrol their streets. Each sibling commands a different piece of the town's infrastructure. Howard finds himself trapped between these powerful wizards as they wage war against each other for ultimate control. His family becomes a pawn in their dangerous game. The wizards will stop at nothing to defeat their siblings and claim total power over the town. Howard must find a way to protect his family and escape the wizards' deadly conflict before they destroy everything he cares about.
Genres: fiction, mystery, fantasy, magic
Vibes: suspenseful, thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Archer, Howard Sykes, Sykes Family
320 pages · Paperback · HarperCollins