Thana Ayers is a part-time necromancer, the undefeated defender of Green Grove Cemetery. She commands small armies of the dead to repel worse abominations, and still manages club meetings, homework assignments, and church services.

It's a balancing act, but hey, the dead don't raise themselves. Right?

Thana's act is turned on its head when a new breed of monster shows up. He's got necromantic powers and secrets she's never seen before, but he's not after the power of the gate. He knows Thana's name, and he's coming for her.

Q&A with the Author

What kind of book is Through the Lichgate?
Through the Lichgate is a Young Adult (YA) Urban Fantasy with a splash of paranormal and supernatural occurrences. It is a tale of necromancy and good intentions.

Who is the main character, and what is she about?
Thana Ayers is a secluded high school girl, daughter of two very religious Christians, and a born necromancer. She has the power to raise and control the dead, and she's darn good at it. She uses those powers for good, but is always aware of the darker magic she has access to.

Thana is about keeping the undead horrors that roam the world suppressed, fighting them with her own skeleton puppets. To keep herself sane, she limits her powers and walks a balancing line between darkness and outright evil. She considers herself practical, morally sound, and capable of holding all of her conflicting acts together.

What is the setting of the book?
The story is set in a city that is vaguely American. It is set in the same world we know, but with all sorts of paranormal and magical fantasy lying behind closed doors. Dark powers, shadowy organizations, fanatical cults, and monsters that hide in plain sight all exist, and are more common than most people would think.

Are there any authors or books that were inspirations for this book?
I suppose I'd have to cite The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher as my strongest influence in the genre. He knows how to make magic feel right, how to create endearing characters and make a story fun and epic at the same time. John McCrae (Wildbow) of Worm fame showed me how to write a good female protagonist, and how to write clearly and paint a scene. Ted Dekker is one of my favorite authors, and he had some influence here as well.

Who is this book for?
If you're intrigued by the risen dead, but tired of zombie apocalypse stories, this one is for you. If you want a young female protagonist who is capable and even frightening in her own way, this story is for you. If you've ever dealt with loss, struggled with guilt, or grappled with religion, this story is for you.

If you really want to read about a skeleton ripping off his own arms and beating a zombie over the head with them, this book is 100% for you.

Why did you write this book?
I wanted to write a story about teenagers and magic, but I was tired of the 'discovery' stories. I wanted a book about someone who already knew what they were doing. If this series were only about Thana Ayers, and it started with her discovering her power, this would be book two or three.

I also wanted to write a book about a "Good Necromancer." It just happened to work out.

What are you working on now?
Through the Lichgate has a sequel in the works, one starring another member of The Drama Club. Each club member really deserves their own book, and I want to give them all a fair shake at it. Keep an eye out for this one!