An interview about Lionborn by Sharique Zea, presented in partnership with The Children’s Book Review.
Sharique Zea, author of Lionborn, joins us to talk about growing up lost in fantasy worlds, drawing inspiration from Tolkien, Pullman, and Lewis, and writing a story that turns feeling different into a source of strength.
Sharique Zea has always felt most at home in fantasy worlds. Growing up in Ranchi, India, he spent countless hours tucked away in libraries, losing himself in the stories of C.S. Lewis, Philip Pullman, and J.R.R. Tolkien. That lifelong love of magical realms and epic journeys now shapes his debut novel, Lionborn. In our interview, Zea shares how his own experiences of feeling different inspired Fionn’s story, why fantasy is the perfect place to explore courage and identity, and how stories can help young readers discover the hero within themselves.
The nickname “Monster Boy” immediately establishes Fionn as an outsider. What drew you to creating a protagonist who is misunderstood and dismissed by those around him, and how does this isolation shape his journey?
Sharique Zea (SZ): Growing up, I was always the quieter one—shy, introverted, the kid who preferred libraries over football fields. And being different doesn’t always go over well.
Given that Fionn’s character emerged from my own experiences, he naturally slipped into that same place of being misunderstood.
But through Fionn’s journey, I wanted to show readers that being different isn’t wrong at all. You shouldn’t feel pressured to become someone you are not just to fit in. Your voice, your perspective, and the way you see the world matter. That’s what makes you, you. And no one gets to take that away.
The invisible lion cub is such a compelling element—a protector that only Fionn can see. Can you talk about the symbolism behind this creature and what it represents in Fionn’s journey of self-discovery?
SZ: Sure. I created Uks, the lion, as a metaphor to represent Fionn’s strength and courage. Uks is an inseparable part of Fionn; he’s Fionn’s second soul.
People can be quick to judge based on looks, but true strength and courage sit quietly within each of us. It might be invisible to others, but it’s there. The idea was to show readers that through self-belief and perseverance, you can find your Uks to fight against the wind no matter what. And so did Fionn, when he realized that he was stronger than he thought.
Arborea feels like a world where the boundaries between dreams and reality are intentionally blurred. How did you approach building this shifting, magical world, and what inspired its various landscapes—from fiery demonic realms to enchanted forests?
SZ: Fantasy has always been my literary home. As a child, I was enchanted by the magical worlds of Peter Pan, His Dark Materials, The Chronicles of Narnia, and The Hobbit. In particular, Philip Pullman’s intricate world-building and J.R.R. Tolkien’s vivid, earthy settings gave wings to my imagination.
When it came to world-building in LIONBORN, I didn’t want the realms to feel like simple backdrops. I wanted each one to echo its inhabitants. The Realm of Beasts is fiery and barren, while Arborea is lush green, bursting with life, glowing with possibilities beyond imagining.
Extensive research and thorough planning went into defining their magic systems, cultures, and diverse inhabitants.
The friendship dynamic between Fionn, Ella, and Tiny is beautifully balanced, with each character bringing different strengths to the group. How did you develop these three distinct personalities, and what do you hope young readers learn from their friendship?
SZ: Fionn came to me fully formed. I knew who he was and his struggles from the start. Ella and Tiny, though, took a lot longer to pin down. They went through several iterations before I finally felt ready to move forward with them.
One thing I really wanted while shaping these characters was for each of them to have their own story and their own struggles, all eventually weaving together.
I’ve always felt that strong chemistry comes from letting each person’s journey shine through. The more they understand one another, the stronger their connection becomes. That way, they’re not just being compassionate and inclusive—they’re also growing together and lifting each other up.
I hope young readers can see that true friendship grows from mutual respect, kindness, and teamwork.
You grew up in Ranchi, India, surrounded by books and influenced by authors like C.S. Lewis, Philip Pullman, and J.R.R. Tolkien. How did your Indian heritage and your exposure to Western fantasy literature blend together to shape the world and themes of Lionborn?
SZ: I was introduced to western fantasy at an early age, and I’ve always been captivated by immersive world-building and found myself lost in those intricate details.
Everything I’ve encountered throughout my life—from stories and myths to personal experiences—merged with the landscape of my imagination and gave me the idea of how I wanted to tell this story.
The mysterious riddles supposedly from Ella’s missing mother add an intriguing layer to the plot. What role does mystery and puzzle-solving play in your storytelling, and how do you balance it with action and character development?
SZ: When you are writing from a single point of view, it’s not the easiest to show other viewpoints. With Ella, I wanted her struggles to matter just as much as Fionn’s. So, I decided to tell her story through mysteries and puzzles. It added depth to her character and created a sense of anticipation as every puzzle hinted at the next big reveal.
I believe that in a character-driven story, it’s crucial to challenge your protagonist with obstacles that are personal to them. That’s where action sequences really bring their motivations, desires, and fears to the surface. Watching how they handle the situation is interesting, because every choice they make reveals something about who they are. It’s an important part of their personal growth and transformation.
As someone who spends your days as a Chartered Accountant in London, how do you navigate between the analytical world of numbers and the imaginative realm of fantasy writing? Does one inform the other in unexpected ways?
SZ: It’s an interesting question. I have never thought about it before. At work, I’m constantly double-checking numbers and making sure the financials line up, so I’m used to being meticulous. I believe that carries over into writing, especially when I’m trying to keep the story cohesive and avoid plot holes.
The book explores the theme that we all have it in ourselves to be heroic, even when surrounded by danger and uncertainty. What message do you hope young readers—especially those who feel like outsiders—take away from Fionn’s transformation?
SZ: In LIONBORN, Fionn is bullied and mocked for being different. When he was younger, he mentioned seeing monsters, which made him the target for bullying.
It is not uncommon to feel like an outsider, even among people you’ve known for years, when your inner self doesn’t match those around you. But that doesn’t mean you have to change yourself. You are unique, like Fionn, and you don’t need the world’s approval to be who you are.
I hope readers can see that we are all so much more than bullies can make us feel. So, believe in yourself and let your passion drive you forward.
You mention that the monsters from Fionn’s dreams turn out to be real and are now after his blood. Without spoiling the story, can you talk about how you approached writing truly frightening antagonists for a middle-grade audience?
SZ: Let me start by mentioning the very first thing my editor said when I brought up the idea of writing for a middle-grade audience: Your readers are intelligent; be sure not to underestimate them.
In that moment, I knew I was up against a huge challenge. If Fionn was going to conquer his fears and stand unshaken, the story demanded an antagonist who could genuinely test him — a force powerful enough, terrifying enough, to make his victory feel real.
I spent a lot of time studying my antagonist, Abigor Silverblade—what’s his motivation? Is he driven by power, fear, or something else? Without getting into his backstory, I allowed his character to emerge through the setting crafted around him and his Manticore companion—a mythical creature.
This appears to be your debut novel. What has the journey from that cozy reading corner in your local Ranchi library to published author been like, and what advice would you give to aspiring writers who are balancing their passion for storytelling with demanding careers?
SZ: Yes, it’s my first novel. Creating LIONBORN felt magical, even if it came with its fair share of challenges. Writing and reading may be connected, but they’re very different experiences. I spent countless nights and weekends revisiting my favourite books, studying their styles and techniques. It was demanding, but incredibly rewarding.
My advice to aspiring writers with demanding careers would be to assess your priorities and manage accordingly. Don’t stress, take your time, and more importantly, write what truly brings you joy so it never turns into just another task.
About the Book
Lionborn
Written by Sharique Zea
Ages 10+ | 228 Pages
Publisher: Sharique Zea (2025) | ISBN: 978-1-0682018-2-0
Publisher’s Book Summary: A Boy with Hidden Power. An Evil Sorcerer. Three Daring Trials to Test His Courage.
Fionn Hurley feels different. Worried his nightmares might be real, the twelve-year-old has visions of strange creatures and wakes up covered in mysterious marks that heal in a flash. But when a lion cub appears beside his reflection, the curious boy travels to a mystical land… and discovers he’s a Lionborn with powerful magic.
Fionn is shocked to hear an evil sorcerer wants him to bring back a dark overlord. But after finding a clue to defeating the wicked enchanter, the brave young hero discovers three perilous trials stand between him and victory.
With everyone out to get him, can Fionn embrace his abilities and save the people he loves?
If you like friendships full of courage, jaw-dropping surprises, and worlds bursting with magic, then step into Lionborn and let the adventure roar!
Buy the Book
About the Author
Sharique Zea was born in Ranchi, Eastern India, into a family of educators. He is a chartered accountant.
His imagination took flight early, drawing him towards books and libraries. Entranced by worlds of smoke and dreams, he would spin fantastical tales as a child, a personal pastime that stayed with him even as he entered the world of finance in London.
He has kept his passion alive by creating stories whenever inspiration strikes, and although his day job crunches numbers, his heart beats for the magic of storytelling.
For more information, visit https://www.shariquezea.com/
This interview—Interview with Sharique Zea, Author of ‘Lionborn’—was conducted between Sharique Zea and Dr. Jen Harrison.
