The Circle at the Hollow Tree on the Devreux estate in Cornwall is a collection of ancient standing stones-but one of the many urban myths that abound is that it is also a portal from this world to the Jesnick Kingdom, a secret inner world supervised by a gnome-like race whose sole existence is dependent on the balance and sanctity of nature. The Jesnick people are also the custodians of the ancient Crystal of Rohm, an energy source that prevents Lithom's cruel lieutenants, goblins, giants, and many other evil forces, from entering the Jesnick Kingdom, thus stopping them from gaining access into our world. Lithom is the anonymous, infamous leader of the kingdom of giants, and their subservient goblins, whose power extends across all of Zilon, causing fear to be felt in the hearts of all its inhabitants. It is said, that the perpetrators of evil in our world, unwittingly empower Lithom's men, giving them the strength to destroy the Jesnick Kingdom and the power to take control of our world. Born into a wealthy Cornish family, ten-year-old Simon Halifax is cruel to animals, and has no regard whatsoever for anyone but himself. His continual abuse of nature and his privileged life have contributed to the empowerment of Lithom's army and causes him to be drawn into the Jesnick Kingdom, where he is finally forced to face the creations of his own malevolence. Accompanied by Zedda, one of the Jesnick people, Simon Halifax journeys across the dangerous terrain of Zilon, the land of two suns, en route to the Golden Temple, in the Mountains of Time, to collect the Crystal of Rohm from the Holy Brethren, who had borrowed it from the Jesnick people until their own depleted powers had fully recovered. The many ordeals young Simon Halifax faces finally help him to discover exactly who he really is, and what he is truly capable of.