First published 2012
Dan Cahill thought he understood the stakes. Seven family members taken by the Vespers. A thirteen-year-old boy forced into an impossible battle against enemies with unlimited power. He had prepared himself for the worst outcomes. Then the Vespers seize Atticus, his best friend. An innocent bystander becomes a pawn in their deadly game. Dan cannot accept this. The capture of someone who did nothing wrong changes everything for him. Now Dan must hunt across continents. His search leads him through Prague's narrow back streets and into the ancient rock caves of Turkey. Each moment that passes brings Atticus closer to death. The Vespers have made their message clear. Find what they want or watch his best friend die. Dan faces a terrible choice. Save his family or save his friend. The clock runs down as he pushes himself beyond his limits. He knows the Vespers will not show mercy. If he fails to find Atticus in time, he will lose the person who matters most to him.
Genres: adventure, mystery, contemporary, thriller, action
Vibes: dark, emotional, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-friends, found-family, high-stakes
Setting: Prague, Turkey
Period: Contemporary
192 pages · Hardcover · Scholastic Inc.
Content warnings: anxiety, kidnapping