Ella Peach and the Council of Manus

Ella Peach loves playing games on her tablet, hanging out with her friends, and dreaming about eating every kind of cookie that came into existence! On the other hand, Ella Peach’s father thinks she is better off doing her daily chores, staying put where he can see her, and studying to perfect her potions. You see, Ella Peach is no typical teenage girl—she’s an Alchemist! And she is about to discover her destiny when the magical Council of Manus appoints her as the guide for a group of recruits travelling to the Human world with the mission to save all creatures from eradication. What makes a thirteen-year-old, cookie-munching Alchemist qualified for the role of guide? Isn’t she just a little girl who needs to listen to her father and stay home where it’s safe? Shouldn’t she leave such a serious task to the manliest adult suitable for the role? And why is she named after a fruit? Join Ella Peach as she embarks on a twisted quest to save the world, uncover her worth, and eat her first cookie ice cream sandwich!

Jan Pareja was born in Manila, Philippines. When his family migrated to Anaheim, California in 2001, Jan had a rather difficult time adjusting. He started writing short stories about young heroes finding courage and facing ordeals to cope with the changes around him. Little did Jan know his short stories would be the genesis for him becoming the novelist that he is today. Jan graduated from Fullerton College in Fullerton, California, with a degree in Liberal Studies (focus on Child Development) in 2008. After getting married in 2014, Jan and his husband, Mark, settled down in Seattle, Washington, with their rescued dogs, Tokyo and Juneau. Much to his surprise, the year-round overcast days, deep green forests, and tranquil rains fuelled his imagination and inspired him to continue writing fantasy novels about young heroes wandering into new worlds and wondering about their destinies.