A mythic winter portal fantasy from Essence bestselling author Tajuana TJ ButlerÂ
Wisdom Guides
A world built from ancient wisdom, governed to protect miracles, and motivated by giving. The Mahalians carry out "the greater mission" — a seasonal global light-transfer ceremony that sends miraculous holiday energy out into the world.
The Hidden Realm
Lore Remembers
A hidden, self-sustaining magical community built beyond the Antarctic landscape, complete with its own square, palace, airport (Mahaliport), ski school, bakery, restaurant, and lush terrain of baobab trees, African wildlife, and amethyst waterways.
Light Sustains
A natural formation south of Mahali Square — sun rays hit raw diamond deposits and purify through amethyst stones, creating a transferable light energy through candles that fill the Mahalians with what the outside world might call miraculous power.
Keep Giving Festival
Mahali-theluji's most sacred annual event. Timed to the winter solstice, the ceremony transfers, from the sun, the Great Light , which is a waterfall that flow over diamonds and lands in a waterbed of amethyst stones. The process is overseen by the Candlery who capture the stones and and out into the world. Candles are lit. The community feasts and celebrates. It is the culmination of their entire year's work.
Kato
The heart of the novel. Kato is socially anxious, easily embarrassed, and has struggled with low self-esteem — a prime target for bullies at his school in New Jersey. But beneath the anxiety is something extraordinary: a boy with a deep moral compass, rare courage, and an almost supernatural connection to the land of Mahali-theluji.
The Nicholas's
The beloved founders and leaders of Mahali-theluji.
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Saint Nicholas in this story is not the commercialized figure of Western pop culture — he is an ancient, powerful, wise man who carries the mission of global light and giving.
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Madam Nicholas has an ancestral healing song passed down through generations of Nicholas women that can revive even those robbed of their life-force.
Krampus &
Barnafus
Once a Mahalian, Barnafus rejected the community's values and eventually merged with the ancient demon Krampus. Consumed with envy of Saint Nicholas. Increasingly pathetic — his one remaining human quality is a secret fondness for snow globes.
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The true villain. Krampus is an ancient holiday destroyer who consumed the life-force of 195 children from 195 countries to fuel his power. He is trapped in "a pit of fire" for most of the year and released only one night — which explains both his frenzy and his rage. Massive, fire-breathing, and genuinely terrifying.
Candlery:
Keepers of the Light
The Candlery are carriers of the sacred holiday candles; the most visible designation
Meet three members, the sisters:
Zena is the mohawk wearing, former Head Candlery who left the community years ago when she married a man outside the Mahali world. She is fierce, strategic, brave, and deeply connected to her roots.
Zawadi is the Head Candlery and oldest sister. She bears a private grief while leading her team and being strong for her daughters.
Zaila is the youngest of the sisters. She is the cause of the candles being exactly 1 hour, 48 minutes, and 22 seconds late, and their transporters being spotted for the first time ever.
Tajuana TJ Butler
Essence bestselling author and Storyworld Architect. A mythic winter portal fantasy from the author of the Mahali-theluji series. The Raconteur of the Solstice.