Teenage Roddy, the daughter of Court wizards, and her friend Grundo travel with the King’s Progress as the court members moves constantly around the English realm on the Islands of Blest. Nick lives a typical contemporary existence with his father in another England—an alternative universe—until an unexpected encounter at a writer’s conference sends Nick to yet another plane. These three worlds are just the tip of the iceberg in this complex fantasy novel of a multiverse facing potential disaster. Roddy’s and Nick’s alternating voices narrate the teenagers’ efforts to expose a plot contrived by a false Merlin and the greedy Earthmistress. This evil duo’s attempts to rupture the magic of Blest could ignite a chain of disastrous consequences spreading through the countless linked universes. Richly imagined characters and settings add strength to this classic tale of pending doom. Despite the elaborate framework, the adventure story is easily followed and studded with whimsical secondary characters (including an enchanting misplaced circus elephant) and frequent moments of droll humor. (Ages 11–15)

When the Merlin of Blest dies, everyone thinks it's a natural death. But Roddy and Grundo, two children traveling with the Royal Court, soon discover the truth. The Merlin's replacement and other courtiers are scheming to steal the magic of Blest for their own purposes.

Roddy enlists the help of Nick, a boy from another world, and the three turn to their own impressive powers. The dangers are great, and if Roddy, Grundo, and Nick cannot stop the conspirators, the results will be more dreadful than they could possibly imagine.