The young magician Nathaniel is fast rising through the government ranks. His most urgent task is to put an end to the mysterious Resistance, but Kitty and her friends continue to elude him. As the pressure mounts, London is suddenly threatened by a new series of terrifying attacks. Is it the Resistance - or something even more dangerous? Nathaniel is forced to embark on a perilous mission to the enemy city of Prague; and to summon once again the troublesome, enigmatic and quick-witted djinni, Bartimaeus. The thrilling sequel to THE AMULET OF SAMARKAND is a roller-coaster ride of magic, adventure and political skulduggery as the fates of Nathaniel, Bartimaeus and Kitty explosively collide.