Eva Thornberry has been writing stories, creating characters and disappearing into imaginary worlds since childhood. For years, those stories remained private — scattered through notebooks, half-finished pages and the worlds she returned to whenever reality became a little too loud.

​

Eventually, one of those worlds refused to stay hidden.

​

What began with shorter stories grew into The Secrets of Merrenhaven, a fantasy series set around Merrenhaven Academy and the Seven Kingdoms beyond it. Filled with dragons, magical creatures, ancient Halls, forgotten histories, old magic and friendships that shape the course of the story, Merrenhaven became the first world Eva chose to share with readers.

​

At the heart of the series are Seraphine, Rowan, Tessa and Kaelen, whose years at the academy gradually uncover mysteries far larger than any of them expected. What begins within the walls of Merrenhaven expands into returning creatures, lost paths, ancient magic, kingdoms, duty and a world slowly rediscovering things it was made to forget.

But Merrenhaven is only one side of Eva’s imagination.

​

Her second fantasy world, The Ache of Magic, is darker, sharper and considerably more dangerous. Set across the human and Fae territories of Caledorian, the series follows Saoirse as she is drawn into a world of dangerous magic, hidden power, desire, shifting loyalties and two men who complicate almost everything. Where Merrenhaven explores friendship, mystery and belonging, The Ache of Magic leans into power, intimacy, choice and the consequences of wanting something you perhaps shouldn’t.

​

Across both worlds, Eva’s stories are driven by characters first. She loves immersive settings, strong friendships, complicated relationships, strange creatures, buried secrets and the feeling that there is always something else waiting just beyond the edge of what the reader already knows.

​

Some of her earlier stories also explore real-world ideas through fantasy. Tales such as Honeywick were inspired by environmental concerns, while lighter stories such as The Dragon Ate My Homework allowed her to play with the more mischievous corners of Merrenhaven.

​

Writing has always been a form of escape for Eva. Living with anxiety and PTSD, she has often found comfort in stepping into places where the rules are different, magic is possible and the people waiting there feel familiar. She hopes her books can offer readers something similar — somewhere to disappear for a while, whether that means wandering the halls of Merrenhaven or crossing the border into Fae territory.

​

Eva writes for readers who still believe books should feel like doorways.

And there is always another world waiting on the other side.