Jason Walker is used to feeling like an afterthought--in school, with his friends, with cute girls, and even with his family. The one thing Jason really enjoys is volunteering at the local zoo, where life is always a bit less predictable. Boredom becomes Jason's last concern, however, after a routine cleaning of the hippo tank sends him falling through a tunnel into a whole other world. Lyrian is utterly different from anyplace Jason has ever known. The people dress differently, live differently, and all live in fear of their malicious Emperor, Maldor.