Everything changes for orphaned Jan when his beloved uncle, Gustav—anatomist, natural scientist and aspiring alchemist—enlists his help in a quest to create a life-generating serum. To test the serum, they must follow a set of ancient instructions and play a dangerous game of bringing the inanimate to life... When Gustav dies suddenly, it's up to Jan to continue his work, but little does he know that his beautiful, calculating aunt dreams of using the serum for her own purposes—eternal life. Under the façade of her grief, she convinces Jan they must move from Vienna to Prague, and when she mysteriously disappears, Jan searches for her. In the plague ridden ghettos and the court of the mad Emperor Rudolf, he must pit his wits against an extraordinary cast of characters and events. His only ally is Zuzana, a girl with secrets of her own. Set against the vivid backdrop of 16th century Prague and the equally breathtaking Vienna, a magical, historical adventure.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author:
Joanne Owen read Social and Political Sciences with Archaeology and Anthropology at St John's College, Cambridge. She has worked in children's bookselling and publishing ever since.
Review:
"Fans of historical fantasy tales with a dose of magic and truly creepy concoctions will love this novel's goings-on and occult flavor." —Booklist
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherOrion Children's Books
- Publication date2010
- ISBN 10 1444001507
- ISBN 13 9781444001501
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages224
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Rating