Since childhood, Megan Bradshaw has dreamed of Vindor, her own secret world of mermaids, centaurs, samurai, and more. When real-world pressures make life unbearable, Megan wishes she could escape to Vindor for real.

And then she does. Megan finds herself trapped in Vindor, with flesh-and-blood versions of her imaginary characters. But Vindor isn’t safe. The Shadow—a terrifying creature she didn’t invent—is tearing Vindor apart, and now it’s coming for Megan.

She embarks on a desperate journey, accompanied by a know-it-all centaur and a goblin she’s not sure she can trust. Will the Shadow destroy Megan before she can find a way to save her world?

A menacing fog spreads through Vindor, wiping memories as it goes. It’s time for Megan to return—but somehow Vindor gets her brother instead.

Arden Bradshaw knows nothing about his sister’s dream world, but he jumps at the chance to train as a warrior. Guardian Selena has other plans, though, and sends him on a quest to the legendary city of N’gozi, accompanied by a spunky Nomad and a grumpy mermaid.

Journeying along the Blackwater River, Arden and his new friends face unexpected dangers when they stumble into a deadly conspiracy—and discover a terrible truth about the world of Vindor.