Learning magic is no easy thing, even for young Claudia. Despite a bit of help from a book of spells created by Kpp'Ar, her farther's former mentor, it is all she can do to keep things from blowing up in her face--often with spectacularly messy results. But a spell book isn't the only things the Kpp'Ar left behind when he suddenly and mysteriously vanished. In his wake stands the Puzzle House, a bizarre tower full of magical traps, tricks, contraptions,...

Daven Carrickson grew up as a beggar in the filthy alleys beneath the shadows of the palace. He's the son of a known thief, disgraced and despised. His only real talent is his ability with a sword, and his only real chance at finding honor or a home is a desperate dream of joining the King's Guard. Then Daven receives a new future when Master Claighan invites him to study magic at the Academy. The wizard offers to make him into a new kind of soldier:...