Endling(noun): the last surviving member of a species, whose death consequently means the extinction of that species.

Safety is the gospel.
Survival is god.
And nature will enchant you to your end.

For Nico, anything is worth escaping the dangers of the wilderness and its strange keeper, the Wilderman, a figure whispered in legends to claim more than lives. Nico trades everything—his family, his home and all he’s known—for a safe life in Sanctius City. Not even his brother’s final message to him, a collection of folktales, will lure him astray from his beloved steam-run city.

When the population plummets and the wilderness encroaches on his safe haven, the tales in his brother’s scroll look alarmingly familiar. Still, Nico is defiantly loyal to Sanctius City’s ways of safety and survival. But then, everything Nico knows comes crashing down in a pile of iron and ash.

Nico is the endling. And the hunter of souls wants to finish the job.

As illusion and reality become indistinguishable, and gods and monsters invite him to the table, Nico must decide whom he will trust. He must choose between a kingdom and destruction, and the fate of more than his life depends on that choice.

If you were drawn to the allegorical depth of The Pilgrim’s Progress and the imaginative wonder of C.S. Lewis’s Space Trilogy, Endling invites you into a haunting and thought-provoking journey where truth is not always what it seems.

Step beyond the walls of Sanctius City—and discover what lies beneath the illusion of safety.

Details 

• Genre: Christian Fantasy / Allegorical Fantasy / Steampunk
• ISBN-13: eBook: 978-1965948125, Paperback: 978-1965948118, Hardcover: 978-1965948132
• Author: Elicia Johnson 
• Publisher: Descendant Publishing 
• Publication Date: April 21, 2026
• Series: Endling
• Pages: 228
• Dimensions: 5.5 x. 8.5

Editorial Reviews 

"Elicia Johnson's vision of a steampunk world is vivid and immersive. The underlying mysteries of Sanctius City make for a riveting journey through a unique and well developed world. This otherworldly adventure is a gripping, page turning tale not to be missed." - Paul Regnier, author of The Agency of Magic and Mythical Creatures, Bard Tidings, and Monster Therapist.

About the Author 

Elicia Johnson is an author, Charlotte Mason educator and shepherdess. Though she has many interests, her passion is for the written word. When she's not reading or writing, you'll find her hiking, paddling or sketching in the mountains or along the shore. Her extensive bucket list includes a ride-along on a MotoGP track and a degree in anthropology. She loves studying cultures, languages and singing and playing music, especially those of her own heritage.Elicia operates a small farm in Montana, focused on her flock of Finnsheep. She lives with her husband and their four children where the Rocky Mountains meet the high plains in Montana. They love to throw a good backyard dance party and share the freedom and joy found in God's love with those who need it.

Content

Ages: 14+ / Adult
Content: Tense situations, peril, thematic intensity, light violence
Themes: Truth vs. illusion, faith, identity, sacrifice, spiritual journey, good vs. evil

Story Promise

Every title we publish is crafted to inspire with age-appropriate storytelling, free from excessive violence, explicit content, and profanity. 

Why Readers Love It 

✔ Thought-provoking allegorical fantasy with spiritual depth
✔ Rich worldbuilding with steampunk and wilderness elements
✔ Perfect for fans of The Pilgrim’s Progress and C.S. Lewis
✔ A meaningful journey exploring truth, belief, and sacrifice

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