Why I Wrote Glaguel  The Forbidden River

By Lili Cyr-Robilliard, author of The Forbidden River (click here for our review.)

I have always told stories. As a child, I spent hours in the forest behind my home, inventing worlds, characters, and adventures.

The idea for Glaguel came years later, while I was working as a camp counselor. One day, I was talking with two twelve-year-old boys about books. They began sharing the wild, funny stories they had invented. There was something in their laughter, bold, playful, and slightly rebellious that sparked the creation of my main character, Glaguel.

But this story didn’t come quickly.

Years

It stayed with me for years, slowly taking shape. It took courage and perseverance to shape it into what I truly wanted it to be. And in many ways, it was born from my own struggles, challenges, and the emotions I’ve carried along the way.

In fact, it took nearly ten years before Glaguel and The Forbidden River finally came to life.

One Question

During that time, one question kept coming back to me: What kind of stories do young people truly need today?

I wanted to write something meaningful without ever feeling heavy or moralizing. A story that invites reflection through adventure, emotion, and tension.

Inspiration

I was deeply inspired by works like The Pilgrim’s Progress and The Chronicles of Narnia. While I admired their depth, I wanted to create something more immediate, something young readers could feel, not just understand.

Glaguel and The Forbidden River is the first book in a fantasy series filled with danger, mystery, and emotional growth. Glaguel sets out to rescue his father, imprisoned by the feared Tarpulok after daring to approach the Forbidden River and plunging into its waters. Determined and stubborn, he embarks on a journey that will test not only his courage, but his understanding of what true strength really is.

This is not a story that tells readers what to think. It’s a story that lets them experience it.

Ideal Reader

My ideal reader is someone between 11 and 15 years old, someone who craves adventure, but also longs for meaning. A reader who feels deeply, asks questions, and isn’t afraid to wrestle with what lies beneath the surface. But this story is also for anyone who dares to turn the first page.

The second book is planned for release later this year, and I am currently writing book three. The journey is far from over both for Glaguel and for me.

Take Away

If there’s one thing I hope readers take away from this story, it’s this:
true strength doesn’t come from power alone but from courage, faith, and the choices we make when no one is watching. (For our review, click here.)

Author Bio

Lili Cyr-Robillard (left) is a Canadian author, teacher, and mother of three who writes fantasy stories for young readers. She lives on a farm on a windswept Atlantic island, where her stories are shaped by nature, faith, and a deep love for meaningful storytelling.