The Howling Sands — Karen Hughes (1)

AN ABANDONED VILLAGE. A FURIOUS FIREBIRD. A HAUNTED DESERT LAND.

'Their faces, beneath the scraps of white cloth that flapped around their heads, were difficult to see. Their eyes were black and hollow, and where there should have been a nose, mouth and chin, there was nothing but a swirling mass of sand.'

One hundred years ago, the mysterious Veladin vanished into the earth. Now Kai, Indie, Nima and Jabar must find them or they'll never see Shaman Yanti again. The desert sands are shifting. Time is running out. Their only hope is a reckless wind spirit, but even the wind has secrets ...

The Kalika Magic series for children 9+ is 'an engrossing tale of magic and mystery' SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 'whimsical and fun, but clever enough to treat kids like they're smart' TRUTH ABOUT BOOKS, 'a wonderful addition to children's fantasy fiction' THE MUMMY PROJECT