It depends on the reading experience you’re looking for!

If you are interested in committing to the full (complete 4-book) series, start with Mark of Stars.

If you’re more curious about my writing style and the world, start with The Orphan’s Gambit.

And if you like villain origins (and are okay with minor spoilers and a different flavor when you read the main series), start with The Witch Queen of Camelot.

Nope! 

The Orphan’s Gambit is a self-contained novella following a character from Mark of Stars, but 11 years beforehand. 

The Witch Queen of Camelot is a villain origin story standalone. Reading the main series provides context for who this villain becomes, but it’s not required to read Books 1-4 to understand the world, the characters, or the magic system. 

The “origin stories” complement the main series, and you may find references to those origins within Books 1-4.

No. The Chronicles of Talahm is a clean series. The romances are all subplots, and it’s kissing-only. There’s also no swearing or gratuitous violence.

The Orphan’s Gambit contains no romance at all.

The Witch Queen of Camelot is a closed-door historical romantic fantasy where any references to sexual intimacy are non-descriptive and take place between a married couple.

The Chronicles of Talahm (Mark of Stars, The Prophet’s Ruin, Tides of Fate, and The Last Horizon) is intended for ages 14+. That being said, my niece began the series when she was 10, so younger voracious readers can absolutely enjoy the series. There is nothing inappropriate for a younger audience, but the main character is between the ages of 18 and 23 for the duration of the series. It’s up to the parents to decide.

The Orphan’s Gambit features a 13-year-old protagonist. Readers as young as 9-10 can enjoy this novella.

The Witch Queen of Camelot is intended for ages 16+ due to themes in the book and content relating to intimacy between husband and wife.

No. Fantasy as a genre doesn’t inherently exclude Christian authors. There is a difference between portraying fictional magic and practicing real-world witchcraft. It’s easy to forget that the foundations of modern fantasy are The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien, and The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis. Both authors were devout believers in Jesus Christ, and their work has inspired countless authors both in and out of the fantasy genre. 

There is also a fantasy subgenre called “kingdom fantasy” where there is no magic or magical creatures, and is closer to historical fiction in terms of setting.

Plenty of Christians write fantasy and sci-fi, both for the Christian market and the general market. The best places to find books by these authors are Realm Makers and Enclave Publishing.

For a more detailed dive into how Christians should approach both reading and writing fictional magic, please read On Magic & Miracles: A Theological Guide to Discerning Fictional Magic by Marian A. Jacobs.

My books contain themes of redemption, sacrifice, grace, and even answering to a higher power. They’re intended for non-Christian readers, but both audiences can read the series. 

If the real question is, “does this shove your religion down my throat”, the answer is no. Most “Christian fiction” books have clear salvation arcs and mention Jesus by name. My books do neither. In some cases, characters question the faith of other characters, and results are left ambiguous. 

Just because a book contains religious elements like prayer, church, demons/Nephilim, or references to Lord or “Creator” does not mean the book is “Christian”.