The thirteenth skull - Richard Yancey

There are some things deep within the belly of the earth that should never be disturbed. Which is exactly why Alfred wants to stay at home. When a vision foretells a cataclysmic battle between the "Sons of Light" and the "Sons of Darkness", Alfred is called into action. Whoever finds the fabled 13th skull of Merlin, will have in his hands the power to usher in a new Dark Age … and the Apocalypse. And so the race is on to find the skull, which rests at the bottom of an abyss called Krubera - a place so terrifying it nearly drove Alfred's mentor, Op-Nine, insane…

Rick Yancey is also the author of a novel and a memoir, Confessions of a Tax Collector.A produced playwright and former theater critic, he lives in Gainesville, Florida, with his family.

"Yancey has that compulsive page-turning quality of writers like Crichton and King, as well as just enough seriousness mixed with breathless suspense, intrigue and action to suggest he may become a best-selling author."
Deathray

'An action-packed read, with plenty of blood, intrigue and men in suits to please a generation used to the Tom Clancy prefix before their videogames. Perfect kidult movie fodder once a certain boy wizard is out of the limelight.'
SFX magazine