Max and the Spice Thieves

Ever since Max Daybreaker was little, he has been frightened-and somewhat mesmerized-by tales of the mystical three seas and the Isle of Sanctus. When his mother says they will be traveling there, Max is unsure. Is his mother telling the truth when she says the Isle of Sanctus is a sanctuary or is she only trying to calm his fears about the mythical monsters that local villagers say wander its shores?

Reluctantly, Max follows his mom to the port on the day of their departure. But just as they are about to board, his mother disappears without a trace and robbers swoop in to rob Max. Luckily, a band of spice pirates, led by the mysterious Captain Sin, help Max and allow him to serve as a cabin boy on their ship. Max is safe, but all alone.

Though traveling the three seas is full of risk and adventure, Max misses his mother. When he finally learns that she has been kidnapped, nothing can stop him from finding her. An unlikely group supports his search-a combat princess, a three-eyed seer, a spy, Captain Sin, and his first mate, Piers.

As their journey takes them through desert, ocean, jungle, and ice, they meet many magical creatures: shapeshifting bears, the Witch Queen, harpies, and the nightmarish Djinn, who command the dangerous Twilight Army. Max and his new friends soon discover that the Djinn will stop at nothing in their quest to enslave the world. Only a mythological stone called the Midnight Jewel holds the power to stop them, but will Max find it in time?

Amid the frenzied search for his mother and his ongoing battles with the Djinn, Max confronts clues of his own secret and unsettling past. Unknown powers have been awakened and force him to question everything he has ever known.

Could he really be who he thinks he is? Has his whole life really been a lie? Only time and destiny will tell…