The heartstone had protected and provided for the village for generations, and now, it was gone, stolen. Over time, crops became scarcer, and the small river that flowed through the village was dwindling. Villagers were disappearing.

Tyrus, the chief’s son, took it upon himself to find the heartstone and his people and return them home safely. Eventually, he finds his enemy’s lair. He moves toward it carefully. Suddenly, the ground begins to shimmy, and the vegetation rises. Segars. He climbed the first serpent’s back, positioning himself on top of its head; then raising his long dagger, he plunged it deep between the monster’s eyes. Tyrus fought another and was surprised by the third serpent’s appearance.

Dex’s fingers slipped off his controller, making his hero’s jump fall short. Tyrus landed inside the Segar’s mouth. Dex, determined to pass this level, fell asleep while playing the game. Later, he awakens inside the game where he meets his hero and decides to help him accomplish his quest. Dex quickly discovers that living the game is nothing like playing it safely in his room.

Fourteen-year-old DJ and his grandmother wrote this book as a summer project, pulling him away from his games and using his huge imagination instead. DJ is on the autism spectrum and was unable to write the story himself, but his input is what makes this book unique.