YA COMING OF AGE FANTASY

AUTHOR

COURTNEY DENELSBECK

Coming of age, Christian fantasy writer of magical, imaginative stories filled with whimsy, humor, action, and a touch of clean romance 💘

COURTNEY DENELSBECK'S BOOKS

LATEST SERIES: Coming of Age Magical Dark Academia Christian Fantasy Series. Book 3 Coming March 30th!

DEBUT SERIES: Completed Middle Grade Magical Fairytale Christian Fantasy Trilogy. Sign-up below to get the FREE prequel short story.

Availble on Amazon

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fantasy books

RED FAIRY & FOX ADVENTURES, books 1-3

Faireland… the world beyond the puddle, a secret place with dying magic.

Queen Red escapes her lavish, boring life and finds herself in a strange, barren world full of magical creatures. But when she is forced to accept her destiny, she must make a choice that will determine the fate of two kingdoms.

MORLAVE'S SCHOOL OF MAGIC, book 1

An insecure wizardry student struggles to understand why he received a rare scholarship to the most prestigious magic school in all the world. While battling to secure his position, he develops strong bonds and uncovers dark secrets.

MORLAVE'S QUEST FOR MAGIC, book 2

Morlave and his loyal companions are on a daring quest, driven by a mysterious key left to him by his mentor, Professor Wormwood. After a grueling year at Yortsed Academy, Cornelius is torn between the comfort of his parents’ shop and the thrilling adventure that awaits him. As the stakes grow higher and their lives are put on the line, Morlave and his friends must make a difficult decision — is the promise of magic and discovery worth risking their lives and their friendships for?

MORLAVE'S RETURN TO MAGIC, book 3, March 30th 2026

Mysteries, deadly secrets, and a crush that won’t die.

Cornelius Morlave hasn’t heard from his friends in years and wonders if he'll ever see them again. Just as he begins to give up hope, his former bully Frax shows up, asking for his help.

Yortsed Academy has reopened, and from the outside, it seems successful. But something's not right with Bernard. As dangers and mysteries unfold, Morlave must decide who to believe. With the help of his friends, he sets out to uncover the truth and save Yortsed from looming danger.

But as he delves deeper into the secrets of the academy, Morlave struggles to balance his loyalty to Bernard with his growing feelings for Lilian, his first love. And with time running out, he must make a difficult choice that could not only affect the school and their friendships but also their safety.

"What a world that Courtney Denelsbeck has created! This coming-of-age Christian fantasy has it all: royalty, schemes, multiple worlds, found family, and the ultimate battle between good versus evil. It's a satisfying tale with engaging premises to keep readers hooked as to what will happen next, especially as they travel between worlds with Queen Red. The accompanying illustrations are delightful and bring life to the creations described. I confess that now that I've seen what they look like, they seem quite plausible in our world as well!" - Christian Shelves

Christian Book Shelves

Red Fairy & Fox

This book was a delight to read. It proved to be an interesting and original story with well developed characters. It had an unpredictable and interesting plot that kept the story moving forward with no still moments. The author deftly crafts an original world that is vibrant with a real feel. The characters are likable and I really appreciated being able to have access to their thoughts and feelings as this made them more realistic and understandable. This book does a brilliant job of pulling you into this amazing world - and making you want to stay there. I highly recommend this book to any adult with an imagination. I recommend this book as well to any adult that still has a touch a whimsy and wonder. Very much looking forward to the next book!

Amazon Reviewer

Red Fairy & Fox

Morlave's School of Magic will leave you wanting the rest of the series. ASAP. It has powerful themes of forgiveness over bitterness, what happens when we let our anger and emotions control us, and incredibly impactful themes of how the masters we serve will influence our entire lives. I loved Morlave's character arc as he begins to question and defy the status-quo of dark secrets dwelling in the halls of Yortsed, the unique secondary characters sprinkled throughout the story, and the faith elements that tied it all together so powerfully. If you're an avid fantasy reader, a parent looking for a Christian alternative to Harry Potter, or just someone who loves a good, fast-paced story...you'll want to pick up a copy immediately. (Also, when is the rest of the series coming out?!?!) This is probably going to make it onto my "favorites of 2025" list.

Michaela Bush, Christian Fantasy author, The Lady of Lanaria

Morlave's School of Magic

Cornelius Morlave doesn't see himself as anything special. A mediocre wizard, at best, destined to run his family's little magic shop. He is shocked and surprised when a letter from the prestigious Yortsed Academy shows up, inviting him to be a student! He embarks on a thrilling adventure full of twists, turns, friendships, fears, and a pretty special companion. I could not put this book down! It was such a sweet story of finding oneself with the support of the people who matter the most. I became instantly attached to the characters. They are so full of goodness and protectiveness for the one's they love. They certainly aren't without their own flaws, but they are endearing and meaningful to the story. The action and pacing were fantastic, it made for a quick and fantastic read. I am going to make sure that all of my children get to read Morlave's story. This isn't just a book for youth though, I very much enjoyed it as an adult and I can't wait to read more.

Goodreads Reviewer