When Archie finds himself trapped in a claustrophobic zone from which there seems to be no escape, he's thrown a lifeline by the most unlikely of allies.

A showdown with a troubled royal ends in chaos and betrayal, and Archie is abducted and imprisoned in a cold, forgotten area of the Merge.

With a collection of fellow locksmiths, Archie is set to work on an apparently unpickable lock, but if he manages to do what no other Lox has achieved, he might also seal his doom...

Book eight of the Archibald Lox series by Darren Shan, the New York Times bestselling author of Cirque Du Freak and Lord Loss.

This is the second of three books in VOLUME THREE - the final volume - of the series.

PRAISE FOR ARCHIBALD LOX AND THE PICK OF LOXES

"Chock full of action, tension, mystery and some dark, sobering moments, this is a worthy addition to what has shaped up to be a fantastic series." Rachel Hobbs, author of Shadow-Stained.

"Yet another great Archibald Lox book... lots of twists, turns and tension." T. Higgs Reviews.

"Book 8 is now my favorite of the series... I grew more and more infatuated with it as it went on." The Literary Connoisseur.

"I wanted to cherish the last few books but once I got to Archibald Lox and the Pick of the Loxes, I couldn't put them down and sped through it." This Dream's Alive.

"Wow, this was the best book of the series so far." Carrie, Goodreads.

PRAISE FOR VOLUME ONE

"A brisk, entertaining tale that unfolds in a wonderfully bizarre world." Kirkus.

"I read quite a lot during lockdown but nothing made me smile quite as much as these first three instalments in the Archibald Lox series." The Bookbag.

"Shan has created an alternative world that is extraordinary and imaginative with fantastical creatures that both delight and horrify. A soon-to-be fantasy classic." The US Review of Books.

"Archibald Lox: The Missing Princess is fantasy, mystery, and a coming of age story all in one. It's a gripping saga that will be appreciated not just by young adult audiences, but by adults who enjoy other strong YA authors who create fantasy worlds appealing to young and old alike." Midwest Book Review.

"A perfect middle grade book. I couldn't put it down and read it in almost one sitting. I give it a superb five out of five stars." Addicted to Media.

"High fantasy that allows you to step away from the real world and into a vivid space of wonder." The Reading Corner For All.

PRAISE FOR VOLUME TWO

"Archibald Lox is sure to ensnare, mesmerize, and astound readers of all ages." The Literary Connoisseur.

"Shan has built an ambitiously original fantasy world populated with fully rounded characters who take us on unforgettably compelling journeys." Books, Films & Random Lunacy.

"The first three books were unlike anything I'd read before, and book 4 truly proves that Shan is a master storyteller." Kelly Smith Reviews.