Forbidden Books Series by David Michael Slater

The exploits of twin siblings Dexter and Daphne, who must decipher a thousand-year-old book of sorcery in order to save themselves, and apparently the rest of the world, from malevolent forces.

One Word to rule them all...in the hands of thirteen-year-olds.Abandoned and alone, Daphna and Dexter Wax face dangers from all directions. The neighborhood gang wants Dex's head, and the local party queens have it in for Daphna. And there's the small matter of social workers. And police. But the twins are armed with the Book of Nonsense, and when it comes to the First Tongue, knowledge is power... moreOne Word to rule them all...in the hands of thirteen-year-olds.Abandoned and alone, Daphna and Dexter Wax face dangers from all directions. The neighborhood gang wants Dex's head, and the local party queens have it in for Daphna. And there's the small matter of social workers. And police. But the twins are armed with the Book of Nonsense, and when it comes to the First Tongue, knowledge is power. And that power is amazing!Every day, the twins get better at wielding Words, and soon, they'll put an end to Adem Tarik's plans to make his 'Heaven on Earth'—whatever that means. Dex and Daphna can build their own paradise.But the world was never meant to be perfect. less

A map to all corners of the world, and—if they're right—the next. A year later, what happened in the caves at Eden’s edge still haunts Dexter and Daphna’s nightmares: falling through the darkness, the stench, the flapping wings—that maniacal laughter... moreA map to all corners of the world, and—if they're right—the next. A year later, what happened in the caves at Eden’s edge still haunts Dexter and Daphna’s nightmares: falling through the darkness, the stench, the flapping wings—that maniacal laughter. Back in Portland, they've built a new life with their new mother, but now, the night before they were officially to open a new chapter in their lives, they learn the awful truth: When they came back from those dreadful caves, something came with them—something older than time and capable of unleashing a devastating plague. Once again, the twins are on the run, not only from the terrifying creature, but also from the authorities who think Dex and Daphna have answers—and from other powerful interests who want to know what secrets they possess. Their newest secret, a book of miraculous maps, is their best hope of survival. If they can unlock its secrets, it might lead them beyond their nightmares—and perhaps even beyond their wildest dreams. less