Derek Agons just found out that the natural disasters he's seen tearing up the world are not just random earthquakes and monsoons. They are the result of a dragon, hellbent on destroying the world as it lusts for the one thing it wants the most; the illuminating book that Derek just picked up in a parking lot off of a talking cat. Failing high school is the least of Derek's problems now, for the book has chosen him as its champion, destined to face the bloodthirsty dragon in a duel for the fate of the world.Now the high school junior must traverse modern day America as he gets crossed and double crossed in search of the beast. Accompanied by a furiously curious talking cat, Derek soon uncovers a hidden world deep within his own that is filled with books that glow with desire, an ancient order of talking animals clinging desperately to the past, and a mysterious girl who keeps the world turning.All of that, of course, plus the evil dragon he must slay to keep the world from ending.