By the time Zaera reaches her sixteenth spring, she is longing for the end of her rite of passage. Having survived eight long years among wolves in the wild, she is finally worthy to marry whatever young man is sent to find her and bring her back to her tribe. So when an injury results in rejection by both the suitors and her wolves, she is left crushed, alone, and hopeless—and bitter at the so-called Author-King, the tyrant god who cares nothing for mortals, who has either completely ignored her or deliberately ruined her life.

Then a young foreigner finds her and offers her a place among his people, and Zaera seizes the opportunity to find acceptance and love. But new problems arise. How long will it be before someone she loves is killed or captured in the minotaur raids that take place every summer? Why won’t their king do anything to protect them? What is behind the strange natural phenomena that have begun to erode the balance of nature? And most importantly, will Zaera’s new family reject her when they discover she hates their beloved Author-King?

With a growing rift between her and those she holds dear, and secrets pointing to a crisis greater than anyone could have imagined, Zaera is faced with a choice: take matters into her own hands by fleeing back to the lonely freedom of the wilderness, or follow the path laid out for her by the unseen hand writing the story of her life.

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About the Author

Saraiah Dunmar didn’t set out to be a writer. But the stories in her head had other plans. Inspired by tales that weave faith and fantasy together, she seeks to write stories that serve as a mirror of the truth, rather than merely an escape.

She currently writes books set in the world she made up as a teenager. Like Peter and Susan, she got too old to visit that world herself, but writing about it is the next best thing. Or possibly even better.

Her love of the outdoors, the ocean, animals, music, and other languages and cultures means that there will probably be a fair mix of all of the above in her stories. And she also loves her Lord Jesus Christ, and the great Story He authored as the Creator and Savior of the world. She hopes her stories honor Him and point others to truth.

More from Saraiah

It’s a little daunting to share a story and a world with strangers, especially when that world has been such a part of me for so long!

I began worldbuilding in middle school, and the world of this story took on its present shape when I was probably in high school. Three of the characters in this book—Zaera, Davead, and Aiedelvais—have been around for nearly as long. In the nearly two decades since then, there have been so many changes. The world has changed, the characters have changed (even their names are different)—and I myself have changed!

In the early days, God was not a direct part of the world. He was part of my life of course, but it seemed sacrilegious to have a god figure in my made-up world. Perhaps that was why none of the early story attempts never really stuck. But then I was introduced to several excellent Christian fantasy series, and I was completely captivated at how the blend of faith and fantasy could be used to illustrate Biblical truths and provide a mirror in which to look at our own lives. I wanted to do that, too.

Stories of redemption, surrender, and sacrifice have always moved me. And then one day a concept of this book’s conclusion came to mind. Like a tiny, dormant seed, it stayed with me for several years. That seed eventually became Chapter 28. And when that seed finally sprouted and I realized I had what looked like a viable story concept, I pulled out K. M. Weiland’s guide to outlining novels and decided to give it a shot. Three years later, the book was finished.

I hope you enjoy Zaera’s story! Wherever you are in your journey, I hope it encourages you to look for God’s unseen hand in your own life. For He is truly the best Author of the best stories!

Giveaway

The Wolfschild and the King Celebration Tour Giveaway