Marc Van Pelt

Some games are meant to be won. Others are meant to change you. In a land where monsters roam, cursed forests whisper, and every village survives behind ancient protective boundaries, young Eli dreams of adventure beyond the safety of home. When a mysterious boy named Ash appears out of the fog, Eli finally finds the friend he's always wanted. Ash is clever, fearless, and strangely fascinated by the world around him.
But he also speaks of forgotten ages as if he'd lived through them, knows things no child should know, and never seems afraid of the darkness lurking just beyond the village walls. As their friendship grows, Ash invites Eli to play a series of strange and dangerous games. Each challenge tests Eli's courage, wisdom, and heart, revealing that there is far more at stake than either of them admits. With an army marching toward the village and an ancient darkness beginning to stir, Eli must discover whether the greatest monsters are the ones hiding in the shadows...
or the ones hiding behind righteous intentions. The Undead King's Game is a haunting fantasy adventure about friendship, courage, and the power of kindness to change even the darkest of hearts.