Born into nobility, Helaine can't get over the fact that Jenna, a mere peasant on their home world, is her equal. Their constant bickering convinces the four magic-users to take a much-needed vacation. Hoping for a relaxing time at the beach, they go to Brine, a water-filled world with floating islands and telepathic sea creatures. What's supposed to be a relaxing holiday turns into chaos when pirates attack the helpless natives and capture Jenna and Pixel. Using magic is difficult on this outer-rim planet and Pixel's fate becomes grim when he is thrown overboard to a bloodthirsty sea monster. Meanwhile, Jenna-inexperienced in battle and separated from her friends-must rely on innovation and instinct to outwit the pirates, who are forcing her and the other captives to tunnel dangerously close to the sweltering core of an active volcano.

Author Biography

John Peel was born in 1954 in Nottingham, England. He attended Nottingham University and began his writing career as the editorial assistant for England's "Apparel Production and Marketing." He later worked as a comic-strip writer for "Marvel Comics" in London, and was until recently the overseas television critic for England's "Starburst" magazine. Since immigrating to the U.S.A. in 1981, John Peel has worked as a contributing writer and editor for numerous media-based magazines. He now writes novels full-time from his home on Long Island, where he resides with his wife, Nan, their wirehair fox terrier, Dashiell, their orange, spotted tabby, Amika, and their miniature pinschers, Loki (aptly named after the Norse god of mischief and destruction), Bartleby, Shadow, Reggie, Tievel, Rocky, Anubis Princess and Lady Penelope. He has just sold his first film script, "Haunting Adrian," which is expected to commence shooting in the near future.