Doorways to the unseen hide within ancient trees, but only Oren has the power to step through them. Fourteen-year-old Oren Shepherd has always lived in the shadow of his brave older brother, doubting his place in the world. But when shadowy creatures snatch his brother away to another realm, Oren must find the courage to follow. Armed with a mysterious glowing stone and aided by a quick-witted woodland creature, Oren embarks on a perilous journey across the realms. To save his brother, he'll have to outwit armies of dark spirits and face the Verdantian, a tyrant with the power to rot entire worlds. As Oren races to save his brother, he discovers he may be the subject of an ancient prophecy, and the realms' only hope against the rising darkness. With every step through enchanted forests and otherworldly landscapes, Oren isn't just fighting for his brother's life-he's fighting to become the hero he never thought he could be. Now he's faced with a choice. Hide in his brother's shadow? Or stand and fight for the fate of the realms. A tale of courage, discovering your place in the world, and the faith to believe in a power beyond yourself, this fantasy chapter book for kids will captivate the whole family and spark imagination long after the last page is turned.