Author: James, Nick

Pre-Order Now! Expected September 2011

"A definite must-read!"
—JAMES DASHNER, New York Times bestselling author of The Maze Runner

A devastated Earth's last hope is found in Pearls: small, mysterious orbs that fall from space, and are capable of supplying enough energy to power entire cities.

Battling to control the Pearls are the Skyship dwellers—political dissidents who live in massive ships in the Earth's stratosphere—and the corrupt Surface government.

Jesse Fisher, a Skyship brat, and Cassius Stevenson, a young Surface operative, cross paths when they both venture into forbidden territory in pursuit of Pearls.

Their chance encounter triggers an unexpected reaction, endowing each boy with remarkable—and dangerous—abilities that their respective governments would stop at nothing to possess.

Enemies thrust together with a common goal, Jesse and Cassius make their way to the ruins of Seattle to uncover the truth about their new powers, the past they didn't know they shared, and a shocking secret about the Pearls.

About the Author:
Nick James (Bellingham, WA) has worked in schools from Washington State to England, meeting thousands of students while braving the most dangerous job in the world: substitute teaching. Luckily, being dubbed the "rock star teacher" has granted him some immunity.