When I first imagined Defenders of the Five Realms, I knew I didn’t just want to write a fantasy adventure, I wanted to build a living, breathing world that readers could fall into and never want to leave. The magical land of Pendak, where much of the first book takes place, didn’t come to me fully formed. It evolved over time, shaped by curiosity, imagination, and the stories I’ve loved since childhood.
Pendak is one of five realms in a much larger universe. Each realm has its own distinct culture, environment, creatures, and history. But in Book One: The Dark Witch, we only get our first taste—Pendak, the realm Amanda and Jimmy are thrown into after their frantic escape through the mirror. I wanted Pendak to feel ancient and mysterious, full of beauty but also shadowed by a growing danger. It’s a place where magic isn’t just something you learn—it’s something that lives in the soil, the sky, and even the creatures who walk it.
Inspiration from Real Life
Believe it or not, the seed for Pendak was planted on a Halloween night, inspired by my daughter’s witch costume. The idea that something ordinary—like a night of costumes and candy could be the gateway to something extraordinary sparked everything. I began imagining what it would be like if a child from our world stumbled into a place where magic wasn’t fantasy but reality.
From there, I drew inspiration from the forests of New England (where I live), medieval folklore, and the kind of richly layered settings you find in classics like The Chronicles of Narnia or The Hobbit. The mossy woods Amanda first wakes up in, the towering mountain that houses a grumpy but kind-hearted dwarf, and the eerie roads patrolled by orcs—all of these were born from blending the familiar with the fantastical.
Making Magic Believable
One of my goals with Pendak was to make it feel real enough that readers would believe it could exist just beyond our reach. That’s why the rules of magic in the Five Realms are grounded and consistent. Spells require energy and focus. Portals need fixed points to work. Even powerful characters like Stoaga have limits—and pasts filled with mistakes and pain.
I also wanted Pendak to reflect some of the same challenges we face in our own world: the pull between power and compassion, the danger of letting fear guide our choices, and the struggle to believe in yourself when everything around you seems broken. Through Amanda’s eyes, we get to see a magical world that’s as flawed and beautiful as our own.
Creatures, Castles, and Culture
Pendak is filled with creatures drawn from myth and invention—owlbears, fire demons, talking trees, and ancient guardians. But every creature had to serve a purpose, whether it was to challenge Amanda or to teach her something about the world she’s inherited.
As the series unfolds, you’ll see more of Pendak’s villages, cities, and cultures. The world is diverse and layered, with histories and rivalries between the realms. Each place Amanda visits will reflect a piece of her own journey—from doubt to bravery, from hiding to leading.
A Living World for Readers
One of the greatest joys of writing Defenders of the Five Realms has been watching young readers fall in love with Pendak and ask questions like, “Can I visit?” or “Is Stoaga real?” My answer is always: you already have. If you’ve walked beside Amanda through the woods, flinched when the mirror shattered, or felt your heart race as the fire demon roared—you’ve been to Pendak.
And trust me—this is only the beginning.