Q&A with Sharique Zea

  

 

 

Sharique Zea is the author of the new middle grade novel Lionborn and the Secret of Dark Rider. It's a sequel to his novel Lionborn. He is also an accountant, and he lives in London.

 

Q: This is your second book featuring your character Fionn--do you think he's changed from one book to the next?

 

A: In the second book, Fionn faces a very different kind of challenge. While external threats still exist, much of his struggle comes from within.

 

The possibility of losing his adoptive family forces him to confront just how deeply he loves them and how much they have become a part of who he is. Being viewed with suspicion by the people closest to you is a painful burden, especially when all you want is to belong.

 

In the first book, Fionn’s growth was more outward and visible. He was discovering his true identity, learning about his extraordinary abilities, and beginning to understand his place in a much larger world.

 

In the second book, however, his journey is more emotional and introspective. Rather than finding strength through power, he learns to find it through vulnerability. His growth is quieter, but in many ways deeper, as he learns that true strength often emerges in moments of weakness.

 

Q: What inspired the plot of Lionborn and the Secret of Dark Rider?

 

A: The plot of Lionborn and the Secret of Dark Rider began with the themes I wanted to explore rather than with the story itself. I knew I wanted to challenge Fionn in ways that went beyond physical battles and magical powers. It would have been easy to make him increasingly powerful, but real growth rarely comes from easy victories. I wanted him to earn every step forward.

 

To do that, I placed him on a journey filled with love, trust, doubt, and betrayal. The story is designed to show that there are no shortcuts to becoming the person you are meant to be. While Fionn’s training in the Winged world demands physical strength and discipline, the challenges he faces at home require something far more difficult: emotional resilience.

 

Ultimately, the inspiration behind the plot was the idea that true strength is not measured by power alone. It is measured by perseverance, compassion, and the courage to keep going when both your heart and your convictions are tested.

 

Q: How was the book’s title chosen, and what does it signify for you?

 

A: That’s a great question. When choosing the title Lionborn and the Secret of Dark Rider, I wanted it to reflect both the hero and the central force opposing him. Lionborn represents Fionn, while Dark Rider hints at the mysterious antagonist whose actions drive much of the conflict in the story.

 

I intentionally paired the two names to create a sense of confrontation between the protagonist and the antagonist, but I also wanted the title to suggest that there is more beneath the surface. The word Secret is particularly important to me because it points to the fact that Dark Rider is not simply acting out of evil or malice. He has motivations, history, and secrets that shape his choices and fuel his pursuit of Fionn.

 

In the story, Marrok is not literally referred to as “the Dark Rider,” which is one reason I chose not to include the in the title. Instead, Dark Rider serves as a symbolic title that evokes mystery and menace while leaving readers wondering who this figure truly is and what drives him.

 

Q: What do you hope readers take away from this new novel?

 

A: I hope readers come away with the understanding that their worth is not determined by how others see or treat them. People may misunderstand you, judge you, or question who you are, but none of those things change your true value. What matters most is having the confidence to know yourself and the courage to remain true to that person.

 

I also hope readers see that challenges, however difficult they may seem, can become opportunities for growth. Throughout the story, Fionn faces setbacks, doubts, and hardships that test him both physically and emotionally. Yet it is through those struggles that he becomes stronger, wiser, and more resilient.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: Lionborn was always envisioned as a trilogy, so I’m currently working on the final book. At the moment, I’m refining the story outline, shaping the key character arcs, and ensuring the trilogy concludes in a way that feels both satisfying and meaningful.

 

It’s an exciting stage of the process because it gives me the opportunity to bring together the themes, relationships, and unanswered questions that have been developing across the series. My goal is to give Fionn a finale that challenges him in new ways while delivering a rewarding conclusion to the adventure that began in the first book.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: There are actually a few little real-world inspirations hidden throughout the series. Several characters, including Fionn, Ella, and Scarlett, were named after the children of friends, which made it especially fun to bring those characters to life on the page.

 

As for the baby dragon in this sequel, that addition came from a very important source: Fionn himself! After putting him through so many challenges, it felt only fair to grant his request and give him a dragon of his own.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Sharique Zea. This Q&A was conducted in partnership with Sharique Zea. Readers who follow along on this virtual book tour will have the chance to win one of 10 signed paperback copies of Lionborn and the Secret of Dark Rider by Sharique Zea. One lucky grand prize winner will also receive a $50 Amazon gift card.