Set in a future dystopia with no internet or global communications, where books can no longer be made and have become invaluable, eleven-year-old Herman's life is turned upside down when he's sent off to an orphanage - known as Castle Grim. Surrounded by pirates and stalked by kidnappers prowling the land, Herman is determined to find out what has happened to his parents and enlists the help of his clever friend Polly. Having read every adventure story he could get his hands on, Herman is about to star in his own!