The discovery of the Quiddity, a dream-sea that holds the power to reshape reality, ignites a clandestine war between two rival magicians seeking to claim its secrets for their own ends. As the conflict spills into the quiet town of Palomo Grove, ordinary lives are irrevocably altered by the intrusion of supernatural forces. The narrative follows a sprawling cast of characters, including the ambitious Randolph Jaffe and the obsessive Richard Fletcher, as they navigate a world where the boundaries between human desire and cosmic horror dissolve. Told through a shifting, multi-perspective lens, the story tracks the escalation of this struggle from small-town secrets to a cataclysmic confrontation that threatens the fabric of existence.

This work is widely recognized as a cornerstone of Barker's bibliography, noted for its ambitious scope and dense, imaginative world-building. Readers often highlight the contrast between the mundane setting of Palomo Grove and the grotesque, high-stakes magical conflict that unfolds within it. The narrative style is frequently described as intense and visually evocative, reflecting the author's signature approach to dark fantasy. While the complexity of the plot and the sheer volume of characters can be demanding, the consensus suggests that the book succeeds in creating a unique mythology that remains distinct within the genre.