| 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. Genre: Middlegrade Christian Fantasy Release Date: June 26, 2026 Click here to get your copy! |  |
Author Interview
#1. What was the inspiration for this book?
After the Towers of Light series completed, I wanted to explore more of the world I’d created. I had opened the idea that there was an evil school out east and thought it might be interesting to explore the idea of having children taken off to that school to become disciples of the darkness. In many ways it felt like a way to retell the stories from the book of Daniel, so that’s the approach I took when sketching it out, but then shelved it for lack of time. Then my biggest fan from Canada reached out and asked if I wanted help writing something. So I pulled it off the shelf and we worked on it together.
After the Towers of Light series completed, I wanted to explore more of the world I’d created. I had opened the idea that there was an evil school out east and thought it might be interesting to explore the idea of having children taken off to that school to become disciples of the darkness. In many ways it felt like a way to retell the stories from the book of Daniel, so that’s the approach I took when sketching it out, but then shelved it for lack of time. Then my biggest fan from Canada reached out and asked if I wanted help writing something. So I pulled it off the shelf and we worked on it together.
#2. How long did it take to finish writing this book?
It took us about 18 months to put the whole thing together then another 6 to work things out with the publisher.
It took us about 18 months to put the whole thing together then another 6 to work things out with the publisher.
#3. Do you have favorite character(s) in this book?
I hate to admit it but I had the most fun watching the three Steele Brothers evolve in the story. They remind me of the old timey western bad guys, kind of stupid and bumbling with a leader who’s sly and actually really competent despite being a bad guy.
I hate to admit it but I had the most fun watching the three Steele Brothers evolve in the story. They remind me of the old timey western bad guys, kind of stupid and bumbling with a leader who’s sly and actually really competent despite being a bad guy.
#4. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
I feel like Christian kids these days are regularly finding themselves exiled in a world that doesn’t align to their values. So I hope this story gives them courage to hold the line and stick with their conscience like Thalia does.
I feel like Christian kids these days are regularly finding themselves exiled in a world that doesn’t align to their values. So I hope this story gives them courage to hold the line and stick with their conscience like Thalia does.
#5. Tell us a little about yourself, your family, friends.
I’ve been married to my best friend for 31 years. We are enjoying the empty nest, while now caring for her parents. I have the great blessing to get to work with my children regularly. My daughter Lauren and her husband work for me at Towers of Light. My son Aiden helps with an occasional engineering task, and my son Ethan and his wife Reace contract with us to provide marketing and graphic design services. It’s great to still get to have Sunday dinner with them all from time to time.
I’ve been married to my best friend for 31 years. We are enjoying the empty nest, while now caring for her parents. I have the great blessing to get to work with my children regularly. My daughter Lauren and her husband work for me at Towers of Light. My son Aiden helps with an occasional engineering task, and my son Ethan and his wife Reace contract with us to provide marketing and graphic design services. It’s great to still get to have Sunday dinner with them all from time to time.
More from Allen
Two years ago, I was overwhelmed with the production schedule I’d made for myself after the Towers of Light series was completed. I had a vision for three new series. First, I was trying my hand at writing a picture book with everyone’s favorite kitten, Meow Meow, as the hero. I also had a mind for an early chapter book series that was classic frontier boy hijinks, think Tom Sawyer or Huck Finn, but was an exploration of the fruits of the spirit that boys could relate to. Finally, I had a series that had the classic Victorian elements of a boarding school for girls, but set in the war-torn landscape of the Heathlands. I wanted to retell the story of Daniel’s exile to Babylon and the lessons we learn about following our conscience and persevering in a world with ungodly values.For the first two, I had a collaborator who helped make the story real, but I just didn’t seem to have the time for the third. I had an outline and overall concept that tied the story in nicely to Spring Fields from the Towers of Light series, but there was no way I could really sit down and write it as well as everything else.
Then an email landed in my inbox written by Thalia Shertzer, an 11-year-old homeschooler from Canada. She had been a fan from the beginning, and her family was a huge supporter of my work. Thalia asked me if I needed any help writing for the Towers of Light world. I immediately knew that this was a match made in heaven. I wanted to write a story about a girl around her age, and now I had a girl who wanted to write a story. We met on a video call a few days later, and I laid out the “flight plan” for what would become Thalia in Exile. I’m really looking forward to this tour, where we’re being interviewed together to talk about our adventure in writing!
Then an email landed in my inbox written by Thalia Shertzer, an 11-year-old homeschooler from Canada. She had been a fan from the beginning, and her family was a huge supporter of my work. Thalia asked me if I needed any help writing for the Towers of Light world. I immediately knew that this was a match made in heaven. I wanted to write a story about a girl around her age, and now I had a girl who wanted to write a story. We met on a video call a few days later, and I laid out the “flight plan” for what would become Thalia in Exile. I’m really looking forward to this tour, where we’re being interviewed together to talk about our adventure in writing!
 Allen Brokken | 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 | 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. |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
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For the Love of Literature, July 4 (Author Interview)
Tell Tale Book Reviews, July 5 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, July 6
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 7
Blossoms and Blessings, July 8 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 8
Stories By Gina, July 9 (Author Interview)
Simple Harvest Reads, July 10 (Author Interview)
Artistic Nobody, July 11
Guild Master, July 12
Fiction Book Lover, July 13 (Author Interview)
The Bookish Ledger, July 14 (Author Interview)
Books, Books, & More Books, July 15 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, July 16
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, July 17 (Author Interview)
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