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LIONBORN
“The plotline of Lionborn offers magic and magical creatures, great for young fantasy readers.” – LoveReading4Kids
“…this fantasy tale delivers fresh magic and emotional depth.” – Kirkus Reviews
Mysterious dreams, quirky friends, and monsters at school. When this timid boy visits another world, can he accept his destined path?
Fionn Hurley feels different. Worried his nightmares might be real, the confused twelve-year-old suffers visions where he battles terrifying beasts and wakes up covered in fast-healing wounds. But when a lion cub appears beside his reflection, the curious boy travels to a mystical land… and finds enemies plotting his death.
Learning he’s inherited powerful magical gifts, Fionn is shocked to hear a crazed sorcerer wants his blood to resurrect a demon. But after finding a clue to defeating the wicked enchanter, the brave young hero discovers three deadly trials stand between him and survival.
With everyone out to get him, can Fionn embrace his abilities and save the people he loves?
Lionborn is the action-packed first book in the Lionborn middle-grade fantasy series. If you like interesting friendships, plot twists that astonish, and spellbinding world-building, then you’ll adore Sharique Zea’s sharp-toothed adventure.
Buy Lionborn and defeat evil today!
“…this fantasy tale delivers fresh magic and emotional depth.” – Kirkus Reviews
Mysterious dreams, quirky friends, and monsters at school. When this timid boy visits another world, can he accept his destined path?
Fionn Hurley feels different. Worried his nightmares might be real, the confused twelve-year-old suffers visions where he battles terrifying beasts and wakes up covered in fast-healing wounds. But when a lion cub appears beside his reflection, the curious boy travels to a mystical land… and finds enemies plotting his death.
Learning he’s inherited powerful magical gifts, Fionn is shocked to hear a crazed sorcerer wants his blood to resurrect a demon. But after finding a clue to defeating the wicked enchanter, the brave young hero discovers three deadly trials stand between him and survival.
With everyone out to get him, can Fionn embrace his abilities and save the people he loves?
Lionborn is the action-packed first book in the Lionborn middle-grade fantasy series. If you like interesting friendships, plot twists that astonish, and spellbinding world-building, then you’ll adore Sharique Zea’s sharp-toothed adventure.
Buy Lionborn and defeat evil today!
218 pages, Paperback
Published November 4, 2025
About the author
Sharique Zea
2 books6 followersSharique Zea was born in Ranchi, Eastern India, and grew up in a home where books were part of everyday life. With a headmaster for a father and a college professor for a mother, he spent countless hours in his local library, where his imagination took root in tales of magic, courage, and faraway worlds.
He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from St. Xavier’s College and an Executive MBA from XLRI Jamshedpur, one of India’s leading management institutions. Now based in London, Sharique works as a Chartered Accountant, balancing financials by day and building fantasy worlds by night. When he is not writing, he’s reading, collecting story ideas, or chasing that same sense of wonder that first drew him into fiction.
He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from St. Xavier’s College and an Executive MBA from XLRI Jamshedpur, one of India’s leading management institutions. Now based in London, Sharique works as a Chartered Accountant, balancing financials by day and building fantasy worlds by night. When he is not writing, he’s reading, collecting story ideas, or chasing that same sense of wonder that first drew him into fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 6, 2025
What worked:
The author establishes the plot’s foundation by jumping right into the drama. The prologue finds two evil protagonists standing over an infant’s crib, frustrated that they can’t penetrate his protection to take his blood. Readers learn that Abigor wants Fionn’s blood to resurrect powers that were lost many years ago. The setting quickly shifts to middle-grade Fionn when he discovers he’s a Lionborn, powerful creatures that were assumed to be extinct. His first inkling that his life has changed occurs when he sees a reflection of a lion cub where his own face should be. Fionn slowly realizes the meaning of being a Lionborn, but it’s later revealed that his best friend, Ella, has an important role too. A strange new student also appears, and he turns out to be an elf from the realm of Arborea.
Readers will root for Fionn, as he exhibits many admirable character traits. His bravery is repeatedly tested when he faces deadly beasts and other dangerous situations without knowing how he’ll survive them. He has an uncompromising need to protect others, even when it means he must sacrifice something he truly wants. He’s intelligent and determined as he faces seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Readers will feel sympathy for Fionn when he learns that he was separated from his real mother. Finding out what happened to her becomes an important quest.
Tiny is an entertaining character, and he becomes a loyal ally to Fionn. Tiny provides background information about Arborea, Abigor, and other things that arise. He tells Fionn and readers the dangers they can expect while Fionn navigates Arborea. He’s also the character able to open portals between worlds, allowing Fionn to move quickly to new settings. This ability eliminates the long, tedious traveling that characters and readers endure in some other books. Tiny adds levity to the story, especially when Fionn first visits his humble abode.
What didn’t work as well:
Fionn survives several perilous situations due to luck rather than his own conscious efforts. He can’t control his Lionborn powers early in the story, and they emerge out of necessity during critical moments. Other characters might appear at the right moment to save Fionn from being seriously harmed or killed. Readers might want to see the book’s hero more in control of his predicaments.
The final verdict:
This book presents an exciting start to a magical adventure series. It features a virtuous main character on a quest against evil and to discover an unknown family heritage. The author includes many twists and surprises to keep readers on their toes! I recommend you try this book for yourself.
The author establishes the plot’s foundation by jumping right into the drama. The prologue finds two evil protagonists standing over an infant’s crib, frustrated that they can’t penetrate his protection to take his blood. Readers learn that Abigor wants Fionn’s blood to resurrect powers that were lost many years ago. The setting quickly shifts to middle-grade Fionn when he discovers he’s a Lionborn, powerful creatures that were assumed to be extinct. His first inkling that his life has changed occurs when he sees a reflection of a lion cub where his own face should be. Fionn slowly realizes the meaning of being a Lionborn, but it’s later revealed that his best friend, Ella, has an important role too. A strange new student also appears, and he turns out to be an elf from the realm of Arborea.
Readers will root for Fionn, as he exhibits many admirable character traits. His bravery is repeatedly tested when he faces deadly beasts and other dangerous situations without knowing how he’ll survive them. He has an uncompromising need to protect others, even when it means he must sacrifice something he truly wants. He’s intelligent and determined as he faces seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Readers will feel sympathy for Fionn when he learns that he was separated from his real mother. Finding out what happened to her becomes an important quest.
Tiny is an entertaining character, and he becomes a loyal ally to Fionn. Tiny provides background information about Arborea, Abigor, and other things that arise. He tells Fionn and readers the dangers they can expect while Fionn navigates Arborea. He’s also the character able to open portals between worlds, allowing Fionn to move quickly to new settings. This ability eliminates the long, tedious traveling that characters and readers endure in some other books. Tiny adds levity to the story, especially when Fionn first visits his humble abode.
What didn’t work as well:
Fionn survives several perilous situations due to luck rather than his own conscious efforts. He can’t control his Lionborn powers early in the story, and they emerge out of necessity during critical moments. Other characters might appear at the right moment to save Fionn from being seriously harmed or killed. Readers might want to see the book’s hero more in control of his predicaments.
The final verdict:
This book presents an exciting start to a magical adventure series. It features a virtuous main character on a quest against evil and to discover an unknown family heritage. The author includes many twists and surprises to keep readers on their toes! I recommend you try this book for yourself.
November 1, 2025
Lionborn
Written by Sharique Zea
I was so excited to have received this book - it sounded amazing and in one night I discovered a book that will stay with me for a long time
Mysterious dreams, quirky friends, and monsters at school. When this timid boy visits another world, can he accept his destined path?
Fionn Hurley feels different. Worried his nightmares might be real, the confused twelve-year-old suffers visions where he battles terrifying beasts and wakes up covered in fast-healing wounds. But when a lion cub appears beside his reflection, the curious boy travels to a mystical land… and finds enemies plotting his death.
Learning he’s inherited powerful magical gifts, Fionn is shocked to hear a crazed sorcerer wants his blood to resurrect a demon. But after finding a clue to defeating the wicked enchanter, the brave young hero discovers three deadly trials stand between him and survival.
With everyone out to get him, can Fionn embrace his abilities and save the people he loves?
Before I read this I looked into the author and what made him tick- and what lay behind the story. I was impressed.
So this is part one in a series and the author didn’t ease us in gently, no he went straight into action, followed by action and finished off with even more action. The main characters are brilliant and well plotted- a shout out for the character Tiny who is anything but Tiny. I found him truly entertaining.
Readers will find themselves rooting for Fionn following him as he discovers who he is, and what he is detested to become.
Fionn is a great character and he is the sort of character parents want their children to look up to. He is brave, loyal and someone you would want on your side. It doesn’t matter what the author throws at him, he survived and came out stronger.
It was interesting to see his Lionborn powers and I hope to see them developed more in the next book.
Overall this is a brilliant first book in the series and I am looking forward to book 2.
Written by Sharique Zea
I was so excited to have received this book - it sounded amazing and in one night I discovered a book that will stay with me for a long time
Mysterious dreams, quirky friends, and monsters at school. When this timid boy visits another world, can he accept his destined path?
Fionn Hurley feels different. Worried his nightmares might be real, the confused twelve-year-old suffers visions where he battles terrifying beasts and wakes up covered in fast-healing wounds. But when a lion cub appears beside his reflection, the curious boy travels to a mystical land… and finds enemies plotting his death.
Learning he’s inherited powerful magical gifts, Fionn is shocked to hear a crazed sorcerer wants his blood to resurrect a demon. But after finding a clue to defeating the wicked enchanter, the brave young hero discovers three deadly trials stand between him and survival.
With everyone out to get him, can Fionn embrace his abilities and save the people he loves?
Before I read this I looked into the author and what made him tick- and what lay behind the story. I was impressed.
So this is part one in a series and the author didn’t ease us in gently, no he went straight into action, followed by action and finished off with even more action. The main characters are brilliant and well plotted- a shout out for the character Tiny who is anything but Tiny. I found him truly entertaining.
Readers will find themselves rooting for Fionn following him as he discovers who he is, and what he is detested to become.
Fionn is a great character and he is the sort of character parents want their children to look up to. He is brave, loyal and someone you would want on your side. It doesn’t matter what the author throws at him, he survived and came out stronger.
It was interesting to see his Lionborn powers and I hope to see them developed more in the next book.
Overall this is a brilliant first book in the series and I am looking forward to book 2.
February 18, 2026
𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
🦁 love lions
🪄 enjoyed the Harry Potter series
👧🏽 have middle schoolers
📚 are looking for a new series
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
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?
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
This was a great introduction to a new character that I’m going to enjoy following! Fionn reminded me a lot of Harry Potter in some ways, and I loved seeing his nightmares play out. The fact that they were real made it so much scarier, and I don’t think I would have handled that fact very well. Fortunately, Fionn is a determined and courageous kid who is willing to do whatever it takes! I liked watching him and Tiny travel around together. This book made me laugh out loud in several places, and I think that middle schoolers will really enjoy watching Fionn discover who he is!
🦁 love lions
🪄 enjoyed the Harry Potter series
👧🏽 have middle schoolers
📚 are looking for a new series
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
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?
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
This was a great introduction to a new character that I’m going to enjoy following! Fionn reminded me a lot of Harry Potter in some ways, and I loved seeing his nightmares play out. The fact that they were real made it so much scarier, and I don’t think I would have handled that fact very well. Fortunately, Fionn is a determined and courageous kid who is willing to do whatever it takes! I liked watching him and Tiny travel around together. This book made me laugh out loud in several places, and I think that middle schoolers will really enjoy watching Fionn discover who he is!
February 27, 2026
I really liked the premise and the worldbuilding. Its quite fantastical and imaginative. It's a very good coming of age middle grade type story, and I appreciated that it was different than many other books where its not reliant on a pre existing set of folktales or mythological stories (from what I can tell/am aware of). There were some parts where the book struggled, such as pacing and getting readers invested with whatever the 'stakes' are (I didn't really feel like I was committed till maybe 70% of the way in), which is a long time to keep younger readers engaged. However, I think a large part of that was the scope of the worldbuilding the author committed to and how much had to be explained. If the author takes this story into further books, I'd be curious to see how the pacing flowed with the lessened worbuilding burden as I saw a lot of potential for a debut novel. I look forward to checking out more of what the author produces in the future.
Thank you to the author and The Childrens Book Review for providing me with a review copy as part of my participation in the blog tour. I appreciate the opportunity to read the book immensely. All opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
Thank you to the author and The Childrens Book Review for providing me with a review copy as part of my participation in the blog tour. I appreciate the opportunity to read the book immensely. All opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
December 25, 2025
"Lionborn" delivers a sweeping and immersive fantasy epic that masterfully explores the weight of legacy and the forging of one's own path. Following a protagonist marked by a divine and fearsome heritage, the narrative weaves through richly imagined kingdoms, intricate politics, and visceral magic, all while maintaining a deeply personal core. The world-building is dense and fragrant with detail, from the scent of sun-baked savannas to the cold intrigue of marble palaces, providing a stunning backdrop for a story that balances thunderous action with quiet moments of profound character development. While the novel is a classic hero's journey at its heart, it distinguishes itself through the poignant internal conflict of its lead—a soul torn between the roar of a destined crown and the whisper of its own conscience, making for a memorable and emotionally resonant tale for fans of grand, character-driven fantasy.
February 19, 2026
"When nightmares become real and destiny calls, a new hero is born."
Our main character, Fionn, has nightmares about monsters, which no one believes, is bullied at school, and only has one friend, Ella. On top of that, Ella's mom is missing. Fionn is not having an easy time, to say the least.
Soon, we learn from the bad guys, Turen and Abigor, that Fionn is a "Lionborne" who has already found his shadow beast, a lion cub.
When a new student, Tiny, enrolls in Fionn and Ella's school, he is quick to start up a friendship with them. Quickly, Ella and Fionn begin to learn about magical creatures, different realms, and why Turen and Abigor are after Fionn.
To me, this is a story with found family, the chosen one, and excellent world-building. Will Ella and Fionn defeat Turen and Abigor? What is a "Lionborne"? And why will no one believe Fionn's dreams?
Are you interested yet? This was such a fun, original middle grade fantasy, which is the beginning of a series. I cannot wait to see what the trio gets up to next!
I received a gifted copy of this book from The Children's Book Review. All opinions are my own.
Our main character, Fionn, has nightmares about monsters, which no one believes, is bullied at school, and only has one friend, Ella. On top of that, Ella's mom is missing. Fionn is not having an easy time, to say the least.
Soon, we learn from the bad guys, Turen and Abigor, that Fionn is a "Lionborne" who has already found his shadow beast, a lion cub.
When a new student, Tiny, enrolls in Fionn and Ella's school, he is quick to start up a friendship with them. Quickly, Ella and Fionn begin to learn about magical creatures, different realms, and why Turen and Abigor are after Fionn.
To me, this is a story with found family, the chosen one, and excellent world-building. Will Ella and Fionn defeat Turen and Abigor? What is a "Lionborne"? And why will no one believe Fionn's dreams?
Are you interested yet? This was such a fun, original middle grade fantasy, which is the beginning of a series. I cannot wait to see what the trio gets up to next!
I received a gifted copy of this book from The Children's Book Review. All opinions are my own.
December 30, 2025
I’ve always loved stories about underdogs, so this one really pulled at my heartstrings. Imagine being twelve and realizing your nightmares are actually happening. The main character is so relatable—he’s just a normal, quiet kid who suddenly has to deal with magic and monsters at school. Honestly, it made me wonder how I’d handle discovering a secret world! The action is non-stop, and watching him find his courage felt really inspiring. If you like magical quests, you’ll love this.
December 23, 2025
This was an enjoyable read about a boy born with magical powers and the adventure he shares with his quirky group of friends. The story has plenty of twists and turns, which kept it engaging throughout. I also liked the strong characters and the values they show along the way. One small drawback is that I think a stronger book cover could make it even more appealing.
November 4, 2025
He is a young boy who is having nightmares and he is about to learn about a world with magic. He will travel there where he faces trials to survive it all. See how he gets on
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a delightful bedtime story
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a delightful bedtime story
February 3, 2026
This is a beautifully written fantasy store for YA. It had a hero, villain, and magic or fantasy. I would have liked the hero to be girl, that would have given it five stars. I would recommend this to my middle school students!!! I hope there is another book.
November 9, 2025
A cute story it’s interesting and fun. I think all children will like it. I was given an arc and I chose to give a honest review.
December 12, 2025
This book just wasn’t for me , I usually enjoy reading children’s fiction alongside my normal reading however this book maybe was just a bit too young for me unfortunately 💔
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews