The world is no longer safe for the Dragon Rider Murtagh and his dragon, Thorn. An evil king has been toppled, and they are left to face the consequences of the reluctant role they played in his reign of terror. Now they are hated and alone, exiled to the outskirts of society. Throughout the land, hushed voices whisper of brittle ground and a faint scent of brimstone in the air--and Murtagh senses that something wicked lurks in the shadows of Alagaesia....

Middle school is a dungeon. At least, that's how Jess sees it. Luckily, she and her best friend, Olivia, know how to escape into the sprawling worlds of their own imaginations. The two friends have always loved making up stories, first with little-kid games of make-believe, and more recently with the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons. When they play, Olivia runs the game as Dungeon Master, and Jess is the solo party member, playing a take-no-prisoners...

In the age of fire, only one thing is certain; darkness is coming. From hollowed and silver knights, to lone adventures in unnatural lands, the fight against the rising swathes of undead is unending and their battles are epic.