Jem Stoneheart is a teenager who lives with his missionary parents deep in the heart of the Amazon rain forest, where he grew up, becoming fluent in the native language at an early age. He spent countless hours enthralled by the tales told around the village fires at night, tales of impossible things-beautiful, shimmering people who seem to disappear at will, frightening evil creatures, giants even.

These legends and stories seem to call out incessantly to Jem when he hears them. These fleeting glimpses of an exciting fantasy world were about to become very real as Jem Stoneheart and his best friend, Paco, explore the remote headwaters of a legendary river.

Not only is this fantasy world real, but everyone seems to be eagerly awaiting their arrival! Could Jem Stoneheart really be the long-awaited “Gem-Stone,” who could wield the power of the great sword Azul? Were he and Paco really supposed to help free the Havelfin? Jem and Paco sure didn’t think so. At least not at first.