A company of knights lie sleeping in the heart of a hollow hill, waiting for the day when they will be awakened to fight for the forces of good against evil. But the magic stone which binds them - the Weirdstone of Brisingamen - has been lost and Nastrond, the Spirit of Darkness, is gaining a foothold in the hearts of men. Susan and Colin, on a visit to Alderley, in Cheshire, suddenly find themselves persecuted by goblins, witches, and warlocks, and realize too late that they are after the stone which Susan wears on her bracelet.

A tale of magic which also involves human beings needs to be superbly told and logically worked out - this one is. And from the moment the children lose the stone, and set out to recover it, it becomes wildly exciting as well. This is Alan Garner's first book and it is a winner.

For boys and girls over eight.