The Nightkeeper's Shadow — John R. Heninger

When a mysterious girl shows up in Jaxon Meadows' dreams, he thinks he's going crazy. And when she asks him to come on a “mission” to find three magic stones made up in a story, he's sure it's a trick. Join Jaxon and his dream girl, Mara Qatan, on a journey through the Netherside, a scary-wonderful place where nothing's impossible. Along the way, you'll meet a bad-mannered king, filthy pirates, and strange beings who talk inside each others' heads. Dodging the traps of his own imagination, Jaxon hunts down the magic stones, hoping to escape the dark forces sent to capture him.

For more exciting adventures in the Secrets of the Netherside trilogy, read:

Search for Pandemonia Book II

Eyes in the Stone Book III (available fall, 2007)