The latest installment in the critically acclaimed Stravaganza series begins with Matt, the new Stravagante. Despite having a beautiful and very smart girlfriend, Matt is insecure because he is dyslexic. He discovers that he is capable of traveling between two worlds when a leather-bound book transports him from his home in England to Talia, the parallel-world version of Italy, where he meets a fellow-Stravagante named Luciano-who is hiding from the powerful di Chimici family. Luciano has just killed the head of that family in a duel, and is in grave danger. Banding together, Matt and Luciano must resist the di Chimici family, who are on the verge of making a terrifying breakthrough into our world. Beloved by fans of both fantasy and historical fiction, the Stravaganza series is more exciting than ever. MARY HOFFMAN is the author of the first three Stravaganza books, as well as "The Falconer's Knot "and the international bestseller, "Amazing Grace." Mary has often traveled to research the settings for her many books set in Italy.

She has three grown children, and lives with her husband in England. www.maryhoffman.co.uk PRAISE FOR STRAVAGANZA: "Utterly fascinating, this rich, rip-roaring adventure. will no doubt whet readers' appetites for Italian history and culture as well as the next installment.""-Booklist "starred review," "on "City of Masks".