Far, far north, in the cold aerial city of Fata Morgana, apprentice scientist Jonathan is preparing to leave for university.

He doesn't know about fantillium, the newly discovered chemical that allows people to share hallucinations?sometimes wondrous ones, sometimes appalling.

He doesn't know he holds the rare skill to control the hallucinations?to become an illusionist.

He doesn't know that fantillium can also open gateways to parallel worlds. Or that he will soon begin an epic journey, crossing cities and worlds, to save his family, his friends, and his very reality.

He doesn't know any of that . . . yet.

And when he does, will his compass continue to point true north? Or will it break apart?