by Marc Eliot
First published 2019
Jalek listens as Teragil the Ancient One begins another tale. The boy has grown up among the Story Tellers, a people who preserve wisdom through narrative. Teragil sees something special in Jalek and shares stories that others rarely hear. Each tale carries lessons about controlling one's own thoughts and beliefs. Jalek must decide whether to accept these teachings or follow a more conventional path. The Ancient One guides him through accounts of magical realms and mysterious places where ordinary rules bend. As Jalek absorbs these stories, he faces a choice between skepticism and faith. Teragil insists that belief itself shapes reality, that mental discipline unlocks abilities others consider impossible. The boy's journey becomes one of understanding his place among his people and discovering whether he has the determination to embrace what the Ancient One offers. The stories reveal that individual strength comes through connection to community.
Genres: literary-fiction, adventure, coming-of-age, fantasy
Vibes: intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: chosen-one, found-family
Setting: Story Tellers
Period: Ancient
86 pages · Hardcover · Mee