It's 1872, and adventurous Vesper Holly and her guardian set out for the tiny country of Illyria, on a quest for its legendary treasure. But once Vesper and Brinnie arrive, they are plunged into a fierce struggle between rebel forces— and someone is out to kill the two of them! If anyone can triumph over those kind of odds, it's Vesper — one of Lloyd Alexander's most intrepid (and best-selling) heroines. "A story that moves at breakneck speed and is filled with delicious details Alexander is to be commended for his elegant writing, astute characterizations, and his presentation of an intelligent heroine." — Booklist, starred review "With its wonderfully exaggerated characters, tantalizing chapter endings, literate style, and witty repartee, the book must have been almost as much fun to write as it is to read." — The Horn Book