by Darren Shan
First published 2022
Archie heads to New York to attend an old friend's funeral, then travels onward to the Merge where his mentor Winston waits. In this strange realm where canals run dry and pyramids stand inverted, Archie takes on the patient work of instructing royalty in the art of opening portals to the ancient Crypt. The lessons reveal more about the Merge's hidden mysteries, deepening his understanding of this bizarre world. But what begins as a simple day excursion to a stunning cenote transforms into something far more dangerous. As events spiral beyond control, Archie faces the possibility that his adventures may reach their final chapter. This seventh installment launches the concluding volume of the Archibald Lox saga, bringing readers deeper into the supernatural conflicts that have defined Archie's journey through multiple realms.
Genres: adventure, fantasy, supernatural, young-adult
Vibes: atmospheric, dark, suspenseful
Tropes: chosen-one, found-family, portal-fantasy
Setting: Crypt, Merge, New York
Period: Contemporary
189 pages · Paperback · Home of the Damned Ltd