A classic adventure involving two very different twins by the celebrated author of The Letter for the King. "A terrific family read-aloud." - The Wall Street Journal Born to a poor cobbler and his wife in the beautiful city of Bainu in the land of Babina, Laurenzo and Jiacomo are identical twins, as alike as two drops of water. No one can tell them apart (which comes in very handy for playing tricks on their teachers). And no one can split them up. But when tragedy strikes their carefree young lives, they must make their own way in the world. At a fork in the road they decide to split up, and return to meet in the same place one year later. As each brother chooses his own path - hardworking Laurenzo to make beautiful objects from gold and silver, and fearless Jiacomo to travel, explore and become an unlikely thief - so begins a series of incredible escapades that will test them to their limits.

Along the way they will face terrible danger, solve cunning riddles, become prisoners in a castle, sail across the ocean, fall in and out of love, stay at an enchanted inn, help save a priceless pearl, and even become kings by mistake. They must use all their talents, wiles and wisdom to survive, in this charming adventure through a fairy-tale land.