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At fourteen, Piers' father helps him get an after-school job working at an antiques store. Unbeknownst to Piers, the shop is a place full of secrets and cosmic power, and his father hopes the shopkeeper can mentor Piers and make him strong enough to combat the interdimensional forces that will soon come for him. Piers displays great power and unlocks an important codex whose verses will be seared into his being. However, his secret will be discovered, and a being from another orb of existence will claim Piers as his own property. Years later, middle-aged, married, and a schoolteacher, Piers' reality is turned inside out when his owner decides to collect him. Piers begins to suspect almost everyone around him is against him and seeks a few allies as he tries to fight an ancient and powerful sect bent on taking him to another plane where he'll be a slave and share all his secrets and power.
Sandberg's novel is the first in a series and is best described as a mystical fantasy. His writing and content show that he is well-versed in the subjects he includes and that he pays attention to sentence structure and literary style. There are many well-crafted images and passages that stand out. This book is crafted with mythology, Eastern philosophy, occultism, and Lovecraftian cosmic horror. It is full of secret sects and cults, magical powers, alternative orbs of existence, interdimensional beings, and ancient rites and texts. The first third of the narrative can be confusing to readers as many mystical terms, some real and some created for the work, are used with little explanation. However, these will slowly start to be revealed to the reader who sticks with it. Fantasy readers who love themes dealing with the occult and other dimensions will devour this book and eagerly await the next.