About the Book
Book: Thalia in Exile
Author: Allen Brokken with Thalia Schertzer
Genre: Middlegrade Christian Fantasy
Release Date: June 26, 2026
Thalia never expected to be taken. But the Darkness has plans of its own.
When the dreaded Steele Brothers and their Giant allies raid her home at midnight, Thalia and her friends are forced on a harrowing journey to the mysterious academy at Emohnomed. Like the young men of Judah chosen for the King of Babylon’s service, they are dragged towards a land of shadowed luxury to learn the language and literature of a culture that serves the Darkness.
Thalia finds brief respite aboard a luxurious train. But when Headmistress Imogen adds a “gift from the bishop” to the students’ punch, Thalia’s keen senses catch the putrescent smell of a counterfeit light. Clinging to the Good Book she smuggled into her bag, she refuses the smoke-laced food that turns friends into unthinking foes. In a world of beautiful lies, Thalia must stand firm against false accusations and prove that the only true strength comes from the Light that cannot be tainted.
Because this isn’t just about escaping her captors. It’s about saving the people who no longer know they need to be saved.
Author Q&A 5
- Why do you choose to write specifically for the middle-grade audience?
- I started writing for my own kids when they were in that age range, and it made sense to keep going until the story was done.
- What does “success” as an author look like to you?
- Success is having kids love my characters enough that they want to take them on their own adventures. Which includes receiving letters from fans (like Thalia!) who are so invested in the world that they’re dreaming up the next round of stories.
- Do you hear from your readers often? What do they say?
- I hear from many families who use the books for read-alouds, often sharing how they laughed or cried together during certain scenes and how their kids have applies lessons from my stories to their lives.
- Why do you encourage “Read-a-longs” with families?
- Family read-along is becoming a lost art that parents need to rediscover. The shared experience “around the fire” so to speak is a truly human truly bonding experience that children will not soon forget. My Mom has now passed, yet I remember her reading to me when I was three. It’s a place to connect and learn. It also gives parent examples to ask their children about related to character and virtues.
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About the Authors
Allen Brokken is a teacher at heart, a husband and father most of all. He’s a joyful writer by the abundant grace of God. He began writing the Towers of Light series for his own children to help him illustrate the deep truths of the Bible in an engaging and age-appropriate way. He’s dedicated 15 years of his life to volunteer roles in children’s ministry and youth development. Now that his own children are off on their own adventures, he’s telling stories and sharing clean humor on social media.
Thalia Shertzerr is a dedicated writer whose Christian faith is the central part of her life and the heart of her storytelling. Outside of writing, she has a strong interest in science and hopes to pursue a future career in clinical medicine. Thalia balances her time between her academic goals, her faith, and her love for reading and capturing moments through the lens of her camera.