Authors Spotlight with Keven Albers
- Sarah Diop
- 57 minutes ago
- 2 min read
During this mini episode we turn the Authors Spotlight onto Keven Albers and his book “Helcyon: The Ashen Knight.”
We explore a story that is far more than a traditional fantasy, it’s a profound exploration of grief, memory, and the stories we inherit.
Thirteen-year-old Bobby Porter is pulled into the unfinished fantasy novel left behind by his recently deceased father. He lands in Helcyon, an ash-choked world ruled by an immortal tyrant, where he partners with Zenobia, a fierce young warrior on her own quest. As Bobby navigates cursed lands and grief-soaked legends, he uncovers unsettling truths: this world may be a map of his father's own trauma, and the story itself is now demanding something from him.
Join us for a deep dive into a novel that masterfully blurs the lines between fantasy and reality, written for readers from pre-teen to their deathbed.
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Discussion Points:
The compelling storyline of Helcyon: The Ashen Knight.
Why this is not a traditional fantasy novel—it’s a layered exploration of psychological and emotional themes.
The role of nostalgia for the past and processing legacy.
The blurring of fantasy versus reality and how the book uses the portal fantasy trope to examine trauma.
Keven’s journey from screenplay to novel and how it shaped the book's cinematic feel.
An exciting sneak peek into the second book of the trilogy.
Discussing the wide age group appeal—why this book resonates with both young readers and adults.