When his best friend Tom is abducted, Alex Rider is given an ultimatum by Nightshade – a sinister cult of assassins with a score to settle. But what twisted evil are they planning, and how is it connected to a revolutionary new gaming system?
With no idea who to trust, Alex finds himself dragged into a nightmare world – where nothing is real but the game could kill you.
The clock is ticking and Nightshade is closing in…

The world’s bestselling teenage spy takes on a new and daring mission.
This much-awaited new book in the bestselling Alex Rider series continues Alex’s fight against the deadly assassins encountered in the last book, Nightshade. Alex still has unfinished business with this sinister group made up of brainwashed children, not least trying to reunite MI6 chief Mrs Jones, along with her long lost son and daughter. The adventure takes us deep into the life-changing world of augmented reality, where even Alex will struggle to succeed against the technology. A thrilling new challenge for the world’s best-loved teen superspy.