The Birthday Present and its companion story "Millhaven Castle" are set in the distant future. Lucy befriends three boys and sets out to deliver a seemingly insignificant gift to the global dictator. But when the boys stumble upon a colony of supposedly extinct humans, they realize the true significance of their mission and the potential to alter their society permanently. Meanwhile, Alyce attends a wealthy ruler's ball in "Millhaven Castle" and receives a death threat instead of a fairytale romance. If you enjoyed books like "Red Queen" by Victoria Aveyard, you'll love these exciting tales of political intrigue and daring escapes.