Christian Fantasy for Teenagers Who Face Real Struggles
As a mother of four sons, including two teenagers, Natasha Woodcraft knows firsthand the challenges young people face in today’s world, and the difficulty of finding stories that engage them without compromising their faith.
While navigating her own sons through the teenage years, Natasha recognised a gap: young people need stories where they can see themselves – their struggles, their doubts, their questions – reflected in characters who wrestle with real temptations in a world that doesn’t understand their faith. There are so many fantasy books full of witches, clairvoyants and magic systems that don’t offer the hope of a God who is reaching out to young people with the gospel of truth. Christian authors need to fill the gap!
The Stronghold of Enjanan series was born from this conviction, and the first book, Awakening the Light, is coming soon to Broad Place Publishing!
Who is Awakening the Light written for?
These allegorical fantasy novels provide a safe space for teenagers to explore the pressures they face – difficult relationships, moral compromises or the lure of quick fixes – through characters who must sustain faith in an increasingly corrupt world. Sometimes these characters succeed. Often they fail. But always, they discover that grace is not dependent on works and the Creator is longing to draw near to them to walk with them in their struggles. Being “not of this world” can mean isolation and difficulty. But where light battles darkness, grace breaks through even the deepest shadows.
It’s Perfect For
- Young adults aged 13+ navigating the teenage years, and adults who enjoy Young Adult fantasy novels
- Fans of The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings
- Anyone seeking Christian fantasy that engages without preaching
- Youth groups and book clubs seeking rich discussion material
The Story
In a world that spins around the Eternal Light, Shay’s people are in peril. The mysterious Nahil are seducing the four kingdoms with promises of prosperity, bringing chaos and darkness with them.
Shay has always felt invisible – a dependable son overshadowed by his brilliant siblings. But when Shay’s formidable sister falls victim to the Nahil’s schemes, it’s time for his dormant gifts to awaken, and his faith to be tested.
Will Shay embrace the light, or lose everyone he loves to the shadows?
Themes
Awakening the Light explores:
- Identity and purpose – discovering significance when you feel overlooked
- The cost of faith – standing for truth when the world calls it intolerance
- Addiction and freedom – the seductive nature of darkness and the road to recovery
- Fierce family love – protecting those you love, even at great personal cost
- Grace over works – the Creator’s love isn’t earned through performance
- Hope in darkness – light can break through even the deepest shadows
Join the Journey
Awakening the Light is the first step in an epic journey through the world of Enjanan—a world where light battles darkness, where faith is tested, and where grace breaks through even the deepest shadows.
When you Pre-order your copy today, you’re helping build a library of hope for the next generation.
Whether you’re a parent seeking stories that will encourage your teenager, a youth worker looking for discussion material, or an educator wanting to bring meaningful fiction into your classroom, your support extends far beyond a single book purchase.
The Bursary Scheme
Through this scheme, sponsored copies of The Stronghold of Enjanan series will be distributed during author school visits, to those who can’t afford them. The goal is simple: ensure that young people who need these stories most can access them, regardless of financial barriers.
If you add a sponsored copy to your pre-order, you can become part of a community committed to nurturing young people through story.