"What happens to people who use the Change in ways the Sky Wardens don't like? People who aren't evil, just different. What happens to them?"

"Well, that depends," said Sal's father.

"On what?"

"On whether they're caught..."

***

In a world of huge, red-sanded deserts, sunken buildings and vast coastlines, Sal and his father are on the run. The sea is ruled by Sky Wardens and any child with magic ability is taken to the Haunted City to be trained in the Change, whether they want to go or not.

Fundelry is a small town much like any other in the Strand, where people have little tolerance for anyone who stands out. There, Sal is rescued from the local bully by Shilly and her teacher Lodo, a mysterious tattooed man who seems to know more about Sal than Sal himself.

As the time approaches for the Sky Wardens to examine the young teenagers in Fundelry, Sal must uncover the connection between Lodo and the mother he never knew in order to escape a fate that seems to have been chosen for him, before he was even born...

***

This superb atmospheric fantasy comes from Sean Williams, one of Australia's top fantasy and science fiction authors. A multiple Ditmar and Aurealis Award-winner, he received the SA Great Literature Award in 2000 in recognition of his success.