Michael Liddle and Alowyn face more than one set-back in their quest to find the Ideema Gift. It appears that no matter what they discover, the real truth seems to be something else entirely. They had located the Bastion, which had led them to another world where the trail of the Gift was picked up once more, but the clues uncovered there pointed them back to Earth. But where is the Gift? The means to find it fail and Michael believes the search is now hopeless. Despite these difficulties, there are more — for the princess herself eventually disappears and Michael, despite his growing powers, cannot find her. Now he is facing two desperate searches.

Before all of that happens, Michael and the princess encounter several new mysteries. First with the Nomi, the tiny, fairylike creatures who live on the same planets as the princess’ own people. There is a new Ideema prophecy which appears to link these small pixie-like creatures and the second Uhala together. And the prophecy adds a third name, possibly even a fourth one, to the Chosen and Cast-Out: The Lost and The Forsaken.

And a new warning is received: “Beware the N’uru,” an ancient Yeddura word meaning “Death.” Adding to this troubling message, the Elhadra have located Earth though Michael and Mr. Gooden are unaware of that fact and them.

Besides that danger, there are other difficulties just as close to home that Michael can’t escape. His mother is suspecting more and more that “something” is going on with him. Scott Watson, his former best friend, is still at odds with him, suspecting Michael of more lies and wrong-doings which Michael cannot prove otherwise if he wishes to hold onto his secrets. And the high hopes that Maddy Ellis has for the coming year — she finds them all dashed, including her growing feelings for Michael. Despite his best efforts to keep her at a distance and his own well-intentioned actions, she becomes caught up with him in his “other” life.

Beyond and through all of this, as this third book in the series comes to an end, Mr. Gooden discovers the truth about them all and this promises to change everything