The Last Siege
A chance encounter on the snowy slopes of a castle moat throws together three lonely teenagers: Emily, Simon, and the highly enigmatic Marcus, who is the catalyst for all that follows.
At first the castle's ruins are merely the backdrop to a day in the snow. But when the three break into the forbidden interior of the keep, they find the castle taking on a different and deeper meaning. Despite the freezing conditions, they spend the night there, to experience the power of occupation.
But when the re-enactment gets out of control and a very real siege ensues, their playful dare soon turns into a frenzy of nightmarish action.
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Jonathan Stroud
Long before ghost-fighting teens roamed the streets of London with iron chains and salt bombs, Jonathan Stroud was already imagining hidden worlds tucked behind the edges of our own. Known for his sharp wit, atmospheric storytelling, and talent for building fantastical universes with a modern edge, Stroud has carved a distinctive path through the landscape of children's and young adult fantasy.
Raised in Bedford, England, Stroud spent his childhood devouring myths and legends, a fascination that would later bloom into stories teeming with ancient magic, restless spirits, and clever young protagonists who don’t always follow the rules. His breakout success came with The Bartimaeus Sequence—a richly layered fantasy set in an alternate London where magicians hold sway, demons serve under duress, and the line between hero and villain is always in flux. Stroud’s gift lies in balancing dark themes with biting humor, especially through the voice of Bartimaeus, a sarcastic djinni whose footnotes alone could carry a novel.

