Jorden Casillas and the Age of Monsters:
The Serpent's Rise
Twelve-year old Jorden Casillas is caught between two worlds, and not for the usual preteen reasons. Jorden is a nahual (nah-wahl), a serpentine shapeshifter from Mesoamerican mythos. With uncanny strength and speed he hasn’t quite learned to control, he can’t blend in with the humans, nor is he entirely welcome in the secret monster society of Los Angeles. Things take a turn for the worse when Jorden is strong-armed into becoming the apprentice of Gaspar, an unscrupulous smuggler known as The Wax Man.
When Jorden is tasked with stealing a necklace that turns out to be a powerful magical artifact, he finds himself at odds with one of the most terrifying monsters in his mythos. In order to survive, Jorden must do the impossible—he must find a way to bridge the gap be tween humanity and mythology.
Parental
Guidance
This book is intended for audiences ages 10+
What can you expect?
Jorden Casillas and the Age of Monsters is a mythological adventure series with gripping action sequences and fast-paced fight scenes. Content warnings include moderate violence and character death. Some scenes may be too intense for younger readers. Parents of young readers, pay specific attention to chapters 7, 8, 10, 12, and 16 to decide if this book is right for your family.
L.M. Sypher
L. M. Sypher is an author, illustrator, research historian, and folklore enthusiast. When not writing, they visit historic locations and sample every coffee shop within a twenty mile radius.
Contributors
Meet the Age of Monsters Family
Andrea Terroba
Cultural Editor
Andrea Terroba is a communications professional with more than a decade of experience in political, issue-advocacy, and corporate communications. A graduate of Universidad Anáhuac in Mexico City and the London School of Economics, she brings a global perspective to storytelling and message strategy. As a cultural advisor and editor with roots in Mexico, Andrea has contributed to bilingual Children’s and Young Adult literature, including Ro Peña’s Plátanos en Nuestro Patio and, most recently, L.M. Sypher’s Jorden Casillas and the Age of Monsters: The Serpent’s Rise. Her work is guided by a deep commitment to showcasing the richness and diversity of Latine communities in the United States for readers of all ages. She lives in Washington, D.C., with her dog, Francesco.
Virgil Thornton II
Audiobook Narrator
Virgil has loved writing since middle school. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 2021 with a bachelors in Civil Engineering and a dual minor in Green Engineering and Creative Writing. Then, in 2023, he got his masters in Business Administration from Saint Leo University. His current profession is General Engineer in the Division of Environmental Protection at the National Institutes of Health.
When he’s not at work, he’s likely spending time on his side projects. He loves sci-fi, fantasy, and mystery media. Some of his favorite shows and books include One Piece, Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood, Hunter x Hunter, the Percy Jackson series, the Locked Tomb series, and Akata Witch. The topics he is most passionate about are Christian faith and the environment.