Danny North grew up in a family of gods - the poor remnants of the mages who once went by names like Odin, Thor, and Freya. When the gates that led to their home world of Westil were closed by Loki in 632 a.d., they lost much of their power. When Danny realizes that he is a gatemage, he has to flee the family compound in western Virginia and make his own way in the world, at least until he learns how to control his gift and reopen a gate between the worlds. Not only does he face the ordinary dangers of a teenager trying to survive on his own in America, and the mages who would kill him if they realized what he was, but also, if he ever succeeds in opening a gate to Westil, he can expect to be stripped of all his power by the Gate Thief, who seems determined to keep all gates closed.