Held captive in the palace of the Emperor Frederick, Boy and Willow are plunged into a world of gilded finery and splendour. But beneath its golden veneer lies cruelty, madness and desperation. They are in terrible danger as they confront the whirlwind furies of the Emperor, the calculating ambitions of his confidante, Maxim, and follow a deadly trail wihch will lead them to the Phantom. Packed with mystery and intrigue, the truth about Boy's identitiy and many other shattering secrets, are all revealed as the BOOK OF DEAD DAYS is opened for the final time in Marcus Sedgwick's conclusion to a mesmerising story.