One reckless action. A desperate journey. A race against time. In this thrilling series opener, Murphy Tulley knows he's no hero. But when the magical Gem of Nashel is stolen from his mining town, its protection is lost, bringing illness and potential death to all in Airinton. While still grieving the loss of his father, the town's last Gem Keeper, it's up to Murphy to retrieve the missing gem. He sets off alone to find it, guided only by a mysterious internal connection. When he is joined by an unlikely group of friends and creatures, they learn to work together in a race against time. As Murphy pushes past his own doubts and fears, he realizes heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Can he summon the courage to save the day? Follow Murphy in his high-stakes quest to rescue his village and claim his destiny as the next Gem Keeper. Recommended as a read-aloud for families or an independent middle-grade fantasy read, this first book of The Illusia Chronicles functions as a standalone novel while also being an introduction into the six-book series. ​​​Full of daring escapes, unlikely allies, and thrilling self-discovery, this epic middle-grade adventure illuminates the bravery that can be found in the most unlikely of heroes.