In a parallel Venice mermaids swim in the canals, flying stone lions patrol the skies and wispy phantoms inhabit magic reflections. Armies of mummies, led by a reanimated ancient Pharaoh, besiege the city, and plot to capture its protector: the Flowing Queen of the lagoon. Merle manages to save the Queen, but her friend, the attractive pickpocket Serafin, is caught. As Hell - in this world, a real, geographical place - opens in St Mark's, Merle and the Queen flee the inferno on Vermithrax, one of the last talking stone lions, towards the mountains...

Author Biography

Kai Meyer is one of the most successful writers in Germany. Having studied film and drama, he worked as a journalist before devoting himself to full-time writing. His two fantasy trilogies for children, both to be published by Egmont, appeared on adult and children's bestseller lists in Germany, with combined hardback sales of over 500,000 copies. His work has been translated into sixteen languages around the world.