Provender Gleed The Families. Insanely rich and richly insane. Since the Borgias and Medicis united in the 17th century the Families have transfixed, transformed and ruled the world. Top British Family the Gleeds are waiting for Provender - their disaffected heir - to find a wife. In the moment when love appears, Provender is kidnapped. The future of Europe depends on the skills of two Anagrammatic Detectives - while Provender's own future depends on the dark eyes and equally dark wit of a girl called Is.

Worldstorm Elder Ayn doesn't really know why the Worldstorm comes to wreak devastation on the world any more than the next man. But, being a previsionary, he does know the exact time and nature of his death. He will be murdered, and he will do nothing to prevent the killing blow. The world's order is breaking down. War is brewing between the Earth and the Fire Inclined. People who can shake the ground with a fist or pull fire out of the air with a simple thought. A storm is coming. And a girl who fears she is Extraordinary is about to learn the truth...