Legends aren’t made—they’re unlocked.

Eighteen years ago, eccentric geologist Virgil Landowski vanished during an ill-fated Arctic expedition searching for a mythical cave said to hold red diamonds. All he left behind was a strange geode and a son who grew up believing his father’s quest was madness.

Now, Nick Landowski is content to live his life as a blue-collar mine foreman—until an accident cracks open his father’s geode and reveals a hidden key. That discovery pulls him into a harrowing journey spanning both modern and ancient worlds, where enemies close in at every turn.

Along the way, Nick uncovers a link connecting the secret Coke formula to powers older than winter itself— and a revelation that could threaten the survival of Christmas.

Perfect for fans of James Rollins, Lincoln Child, and R.A. Salvatore, The First Descent is a high-stakes contemporary fantasy adventure where heists, hidden legends, and holiday myths collide.