The Merlin Conspiracy: Trick or Treason?

A glorious new fantasy from an award-winning author.

The story is narrated by two very different teenagers, who each inhabit two extraordinarily different worlds.
Arianrhod Hyde's world (or Roddy, as she prefers to be called) is very much the world of magic, pageantry and ritual. Not unlike Britain in King Arthur's Day, Roddy is daughter of two Court Wizards and therefore part of the King's Progress, travelling round the Islands of Blest and ready to take part in whatever ritual or ceremony is required, as it occurs. Presiding over all, the most important person is the Merlin, who is entrusted with the magical health of the Isles of Blest.
Nick Mallory's world is much more familiar – at least, it starts off being our own. But it soon transpires that Nick's not quite the ordinary 15 year old he seems, as he slips sideways into something he thinks is a dream – but in fact is another world entirely. Now, Nick's been on other worlds before (although never alone) but he's a confident type. Maybe a bit too confident...
In Roddy's world, the current Merlin expires and a new one takes his place. Yet something is wrong – the rituals have been upset and nothing is going the way it should. Roddy needs help, and certain powers indicate that Nick is to be the one to help her. And Nick is cool about helping her – in theory... but it's a bit worrying that she seems to mistake him for a magic-user.
Their stories unfold, side-by-side, each part leading into the next, and the Merlin Conspiracy thickens as the tales swirl around each other – twining, meeting and affecting each other, yet never completely combining until the very end chapters when all is finally revealed.
Compelling, howlingly funny in places, mind-boggling – this is going to WOW DWJ fans all around the world (and probably in other universes too).

'I saw a dark space open in front of me and someone come stumbling from around a corner towards me. The first thing I noticed about this person was that he had a little blue flame sitting on his forehead. "Oh Good," I said. "You're a wizard."

I knew he could see and hear me. But he didn't seem any too certain that he was a wizard. My heart sank rather.'

Roddy Hyde lives in a world of magic, pageantry and ritual. The daughter of two court wizards, she travels with the King's Progress, ready to take part in whatever ceremony is required, as it occurs. Presiding over all is the Merlin, who is entrusted with the magical health of the Isles of Blest.

Nick Mallory's world seems quite ordinary in comparison – which isn't surprising because it's plain old Earth. So when he finds himself suddenly elsewhere, it is a dream come true, literally.

In Roddy's world, the current Merlin expires and a new one takes his place. Yet something is wrong – the rituals have been upset and nothing is going the way it should. Roddy needs help, and certain powers indicate that Nick is the answer to her problems. And Nick is cool about helping her – in theory – but it's a bit worrying that she seems to mistake him for a magic user.

As their stories unfold side by side, the Merlin conspiracy deepens...

Praise for Diana Wynne Jones:

'Wynne Jones' books are charming, well-constructed fantasies full of fresh twists and joyous life.'
'Books Magazine'

'The magic is where it ought to be, in the writing.'
Jan Mark

'Utterly superb.'
'Daily Express'