Lorcas Fellken is thirteen when his father gives him a rock for a birthday present. But not just any rock - this one is the cornerstone to an ancient castle. Years later, Lorcas moves to his family's summerhouse and begins reconstructing the castle, one stone at a time. Egged on by a shadow that lives under the stone, he adds layer after layer. But as he builds, the castle becomes more aware - and more malevolent. Lorcas slowly creates something he never imagined, despite the efforts of a mysterious group bent on keeping the castle from being rebuilt. Along the way, he gains surprising powers...

A hunter lies dead in a southeast Texas backwater. Part-time fishing guide Tracey Cole and his meth-manufacturing cousin are suspected in the crime, but Deuce River Preserve ranger Addie Derange isn't so sure they've got the right people. There's a new militia in town, her estranged brother is leaving cryptic messages on her phone, and the new owners of the local adhesives plant seem oddly out of place. Has her past followed her to this isolated swamp?

Following the destruction of the castle by the Knights, Rook seems to have disappeared underground. But Lorcas, Zumar, and Tomash discover that there are big plans afoot, and the future of one or all of them may be in danger. Meanwhile, the Knights set their own, devastating plan in action. If it succeeds, Rook may be disabled for generations or even destroyed. If it fails, the Knights risk increasing the Fell Ken's power astronomically. Just how sneaky has Rook been - and what will he do to save himself?

The Key to the Crypt of Souls has been stolen in Andolith, leaving a Sorcerer grievously wounded and possessed by a Forbidden Skill. The only one who can save her faces execution in Tabor. Now vital questions must be answered to stop Rudon in his quest for power: who are the Lefollah? who is Stolen and where did he come from? and who...and what...are the Sorcerers themselves? A voice from the past may provide an answer, but terrible sacrifices must be made. Can the secrets of the forest provide some solace in the end?

If somebody doesn't free the minds trapped in the Crypt of Souls soon, Cardon's going to go crazy. But if someone does, the Ruined City may be in danger, along with all the countryside of Tabor... What really happened to the Younger Council of Tabor? Hyphanden of the Outcast Council tells the Andolith Sorcerers a disturbing tale: four of the minds of the Younger Council are trapped in an ancient vault called the Crypt of Souls. They will have to work together to rescue them, but somebody else is interested in the minds stored in the vault Can the traditional Sorcerers trust the Outcasts...