Birk

Ember Town #3

by MJ James

Nymphs are female—or so Birk’s mother has always insisted. But after a conversation with Lucas, Birk finally found the language to express their true they are non-binary, and at least one nymph isn’t female.

When Birk is unexpectedly outed, they’re cast out of the only family they’ve ever known. Alone in Ember, a town they’ve lived in but barely interacted with, Birk faces a world that suddenly feels much larger and far more intimidating.

Separated from their tree, which holds their soul, and with almost nothing to their name, Birk must learn how to survive. But in Ember, there might just be a new family waiting for them—one that accepts them for exactly who they are.

107 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2025

About the author

MJ James is a science-fiction and fantasy author for queer and neurodiverse readers. As an own-voice author for autistic, ADHD, non-binary, trans-masc, aromantic, and asexual representation, MJ writes for readers who want to see themselves on the page. MJ discovered a love of books at a young age, finding them a source of comfort and the one thing in the world that made sense. Diagnosed as autistic at 24, MJ embraced their journey of self-discovery, earning a BA in Psychology and an MS in Developmental Psychology. They are also a proud parent of three incredible children. Their work features autistic and trans characters who navigate extraordinary conflicts, from protecting their child from their own magical powers to conquering virtual worlds in the fight against injustice. With themes of found family, aromantic and asexual representation, and a focus on belonging, MJ hopes their stories can provide companionship for their readers along with a sense of validation, understanding, and being seen.

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Birk, the third book in the Ember Town series, is a non-binary nymph. However, Birk’s mother, leader of the nymphs, has decreed that only females can be a nymphs. When Birk chooses to live their truth, they find themselves cast out of the forest that the nymphs live in and separated from the tree that holds their soul. Alone and with nothing to their name, Birk has to relearn how to navigate the world with humans and other supernatural beings. Along the way, they begin to make friends both human and supernatural, get a job and then a career as they reconnect with a college friend in order to put their college degree to use. When tragedy strikes, they also learn that just because they no longer have the family they grew up with that they are no longer without a family. This book does a great job of exploring what it means to finally have the words to describe your true self, the heartbreak of not being accepted by your blood family and joy of finding the people in your life that who not only accept you for who you are but become the family you need.

[Zondra Yates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone, if you haven't picked up this series, go do so. I've read the first three books between June and now. Now I just have the fourth, and gotta wait for the fifth when it comes out.
If you want books that follow different characters in the same small town, set in Ember, Colorado. And the books/characters are all somewhere on the LGBT+ spectrum. The author is also part of the community.

[Jessica Forbes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously, I cannot put into words how much i want to throw Birk's birther (she does not deserve the warmth of the term 'mother') out a freaking window.

From a ten story building.