About the Book Thalia in Exile

Book: Thalia in Exile

Author: Allen Brokken with Thalia Schertzer

Genre: Middle-grade 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.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts on Thalia in Exile

Thalia in Exile is a wonderful middle-grade fiction novel that brings this story from the Bible into a whole new dimension!  What story, you might ask?  Well, I’m glad you asked!  We’re talking about the young men who were taken from the tribe of Judah and brought to Babylon.  Here they were educated and fed, etc.  But here’s the kicker, they tried to turn them from their ways and their one true God. 

This is a wonderful novel.  I have loved and enjoyed with my children all of the Tower of Light series, plus Meow Meow.  My toddler still loves his stuffie, Meow Meow, more than any other stuffie.  So of course we knew we needed to add this novel to our collection.  And now we’re hoping for more in the series!

As a homeschool mom, I love the story of how author Thalia reached out to Allen and put herself out there to help write a novel.  That took guts and courage!!

We love the storyline and the characters.  They’re so good.  I loved how the storyline shows that the greatest danger can be packaged nicely and not look threatening.  What can truly hurt us the most is straying from what we know to be the truth. 

I highly recommend this novel! 

My kids, both young and old, also enjoyed this novel.  For reference, my teens and young adults (13-21) all read and enjoyed this on their own, and I read it out loud for my 4-, 7-, and 10-year-olds to enjoy.  The two-year-old was around for the reading of the novel, but he wasn’t really listening.  

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

About the Authors of Thalia in Exile

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.

More from Allen

Two years ago, I was overwhelmed by 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!

Blog Stops for Thalia in Exile

Vicky Sluiter, July 3 (Author Interview)

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)

Giveaway for Thalia in Exile

To celebrate their tour, Allen is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway!

Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/DMYZO/thalia-in-exile-celebration-tour-giveaway