The newly released novel follows three teenagers transported to a dangerous world, where a mysterious necklace and an emerging darkness force them to confront loss and uncertainty.
NEW YORK, NY, November 11, 2026 (BrightKey PR) — Author Lucas Hanley has released Call of Shadow: Talira, a fantasy novel that explores grief, friendship and personal resilience through the story of three teenagers transported from Earth into an unfamiliar world. Published in November 2026, the book combines a supernatural adventure with the emotional challenges of coping with the death of a loved one.
The novel follows Ezrah, a teenager struggling to adjust to life after his sister’s death. His circumstances change when a mysterious necklace transports him and his friends, Hugo and Olivia, to Letherim, a realm shaped by competing kingdoms, dangerous magic and long-buried secrets.
Their arrival quickly becomes a struggle for survival. Accused of being spies and sentenced to death, the three friends must escape while investigating why the necklace selected Ezrah and what connection it may have to the unfamiliar world.
As the journey unfolds, Ezrah discovers an unexplained power awakening within him. A shadowy voice appears to understand his fate, raising questions about the source of his abilities and whether he can maintain control over them. Their search eventually leads toward the Tome of Talira, where new alliances, unexpected dangers and difficult decisions further complicate their mission.
Beyond its fantasy setting, Call of Shadow: Talira examines how unresolved grief can influence a young person’s decisions, relationships and understanding of identity. Ezrah’s experiences reflect the uncertainty of navigating personal loss while confronting circumstances beyond his control.
Hanley developed the fictional world through tabletop role-playing campaigns, particularly Dungeons & Dragons. What began as an exercise in designing landscapes, dungeons and fictional histories gradually developed into the foundation for the novel.
The book’s emotional themes also draw from Hanley’s personal experience following the sudden death of his father. During that period, he temporarily stepped away from writing before returning to the project, influenced in part by observing how his mother used writing to process her own grief.
According to Hanley, the story’s fantasy elements provide a narrative framework for exploring emotions associated with bereavement. The monsters, unfamiliar territories and emerging darkness reflect aspects of Ezrah’s internal struggle, connecting the novel’s supernatural conflicts with its broader examination of loss.
The relationship between Ezrah, Hugo and Olivia provides another central element of the narrative. Although Ezrah carries the mystery surrounding the necklace and his developing abilities, the three friends share the consequences of their arrival in Letherim. Their experiences introduce questions about trust, responsibility and the importance of companionship during periods of uncertainty.
Through these interconnected themes, Hanley seeks to reach young adult readers, particularly those navigating significant personal changes or the loss of someone close to them. Rather than presenting grief as a problem that can be resolved through a single event, the novel portrays it as an ongoing experience that accompanies Ezrah throughout his journey.
Call of Shadow: Talira was published in November 2026 and is available through Amazon and other book retailers.
Book information
Title: Call of Shadow: Talira
Author: Lucas Hanley
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Publication: November 2026
Format: Paperback
ISBN-13: 9798167362710
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HQGLHKKC
About Lucas Hanley
Lucas Hanley is a fiction author whose work draws on fantasy storytelling, tabletop role-playing and personal experiences. His novel Call of Shadow: Talira explores themes of grief, friendship, identity and resilience through a fictional world developed from his earlier creative projects. Hanley’s writing incorporates imaginative settings and character-driven narratives to examine emotional experiences within the fantasy genre.
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Lucas Hanley
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