In the Twelve Related Worlds — a multiverse of parallel universes — only an enchanter with nine lives is powerful enough to control the rampant misuse of magic and to hold the title Chrestomanci. The Chants are a family strong in magic, but neither Christopher Chant nor Cat Chant can work even the simplest of spells. Who would have dreamed that both Christopher and Cat were born with nine lives — or that they could lose them so quickly?