The Chronicles of Aethelgard

Zach doesn't want to move into a crumbling old house in the middle of nowhere. Then his little sister Raana finds a glowing key hidden inside a dusty trunk in the attic — and everything changes.

The key opens a tunnel of living roots that drops the two siblings straight into Aethelgard: a world of floating islands, singing crystals, and a very opinionated badger named Barnaby, who insists they've arrived exactly when they were needed.

Because Aethelgard is running out of light. A silent grey fog called the Silencing is swallowing color, sound, and warmth wherever it spreads, and the ancient Aetherstones that power the whole realm are going dark, one by one. Only two children from beyond the roots — the Echo-Children of old legend — can stop it.

Zach sees the world as a puzzle: patterns, sequences, symbols waiting to be solved. Raana sees it as something to trust: a giant crystal beast, a bridge that only responds to sound, a home worth saving. Together they'll have to cross the Bridge of Whispers, outrun the Shadow-Stalkers, and reach the long-sealed Great Aether-Pool before the last light goes out for good.

It's only the first Aetherstone. Six more are waiting.

A gently spooky, richly illustrated fantasy adventure for readers ages 7–10 who love puzzles, magical creatures, and siblings who make a surprisingly great team.