Seventeen-year-old Behler has spent her life in the Midowlands, unaware that she is being kept far from the truth of who she is. When a sudden act of violence drives her from her home, she must flee into the nearby ancient forest and to a secret village hidden deep within. There, surrounded by people she has never met yet somehow feels connected to, Behler begins to uncover the secrets that have shaped her life.
Ardin is home to the Trulars, a people bound to an ancient duty to protect all that is from a parasitic darkness known as the Armigoth. As Behler settles uneasily into the rhythms of the village, she is confronted with the reality that she is not just an outsider brought in for safety. She is part of Ardin's legacy-connected to its people, its history, and the mysterious force known as the Thread that binds life across worlds.
When the Armigoth's influence reaches even Ardin's borders, Behler's quiet introduction to the village becomes a reckoning. Guided by new allies and burdened by her growing role, she must learn who the Trulars really are and who she is to become.
Children of Elium, the first book in The Trular Chronicles, follows Behler's journey into a world of ancient guardians, interwoven destinies, and a darkness that has waited generations for her arrival.
Janlee, Lis: - Lis Janlee is a fantasy author who blends rich world-building, deep character journeys, and themes of courage, identity, and connection across worlds. Her storytelling draws on years of imaginative development and an abiding love for myth, adventure, and speculative history. Children of Elium, the first book in The Trular Chronicles, introduces readers to the vast world of Elium-a realm shaped by ancient guardians, hidden legacies, and the lingering shadow of a cosmic enemy.As a writer, Janlee is driven by the belief that stories have the power to reveal the truth within ourselves. Her work explores how ordinary people rise to meet extraordinary circumstances, and how the threads that bind us-seen and unseen-shape our destinies. She continues to expand the Elium universe in forthcoming volumes of the series.She writes from Ohio, where she lives with her family
Russell, Alisa: - Alisa Russell is an educator, creative strategist, and editor with a background in communication, storytelling, and instructional design. Drawing on two decades of experience teaching and developing narrative-focused educational content, Russell brings a sharp eye for clarity, emotional pacing, and character development to her editorial work.Her editorial approach blends structure with intuition, helping transform complex, imaginative worlds into clean, compelling narratives. As the editor for Children of Elium, Russell shaped the final pacing, continuity, and emotional arc of the story while ensuring that the voice of the author remained at the forefront.In addition to her editorial work, Russell teaches STEM and media literacy, incorporating creativity, critical thinking, and storytelling into her classroom. She lives in Ohio with her three children
