Tanaqui, and her brothers and sister, are left alone to fend for themselves.

But the people in the village turn against them. They must flee their home and begin a terrifying journey to the sea.

Diana Wynne Jones is recognized as being one of the most outstanding writers of fantasy in recent times. "The Dalemark Quartet" books are for good readers who have enjoyed "The Christopher Chant" books by the same author.

The books contain the same ability to immerse the reader with real child characters having magical adventures in an imaginary world.

This genre of fantasy writing is currently very popular due to the success of the recent "Lord of the Rings" film.

Diana Wynne Jones has won the Guardian Award for fiction and has written over twenty novels in less than twenty years.