Today we’re chatting with O.R. Sykora about her critically-acclaimed debut novel, Son of the Mountain King, an allegorical Christian fantasy that is packed with symbolism. Let’s get right into it:

In the early chapters, the character of Grumwold is portrayed as a wise mentor with a mysterious supply of wool and a passion for justice. How did you develop her role to embody themes of legacy and practical faith, especially in her interactions with Judah?

O.R.S.: Grumwold has Old Testament and New Testament roles in this allegory. From the OT, Grumwold reflects the God-appointed judges in Israel, guiding the nation in wisdom, justice, holiness. From the NT (and today), Grumwold trains and guides Judah in a way similar to Paul and Timothy, a mentor who can help but cannot replace the role of (or fulfill the need for) the true King. Loyalty and trust in her King is Grumwold’s foundation, and she has always stepped out boldly to live as his servant. Now, as Judah takes the helm, Grumwold uses her final years to impart a legacy of adherence to the Mountain King’s laws—the path of holiness—as well as daily reliance on the provisions for each moment—the path of grace.

The setting of Castle Marah and its surrounding valleys feels richly atmospheric, blending isolation with natural beauty. What inspired your depiction of this environment to reflect Judah’s internal struggles with loss and leadership?

O.R.S.: My years in the Pacific Northwest as well as the time I spent living in western Romania have given me a deep appreciation for the beauties and dangers of the mountains. Standing in a position of leadership is analogous to standing on a mountaintop. It is a lonely place. A good leader is observant, watching for changes, dangers, etc., and she must be willing to keep her view on the needs of her people. It is a vulnerable space. Judah thrives on the challenges of her position, even as she struggles to maintain balance and perspective. A valley, on the other hand, often symbolizes times of desolation, hardship, a place where “real life” happens. Judah longs to establish her place as governor after the death of her parents and then mentor. The valley-like difficulties that surround Judah seem to impede her ascent to mountaintop greatness. Castle Marah, which means bitterness in Hebrew, symbolized failure and sorrow, a heritage that Judah doesn’t understand.

Judah’s relationship with her attendants Anna and Hilda provides a mix of humor and support in the story’s beginning. How did you balance their contrasting personalities to highlight themes of community and emotional depth in a Christian context?

O.R.S.: People were created for fellowship. True friends will sharpen each other as well as encourage each other, and surrounding oneself with different kinds of people opens avenues for personal growth. Judah has this kind of friendship with her two attendants. Anna brings vivacity, zeal, and courage into her friends’ lives, and Hilda offers a balance of sense, humor, and resolve. Judah’s inherent independence and pride can make her less relatable to strangers (aka readers!), and her two friends help draw out Judah’s softer side. I treasure these kinds of friends in my own life—they are a gift for growth and delight.

The arrival of the envoy from the Mountain King introduces gifts like the glowing robe and Mesda. How did you craft these elements to symbolize themes of promise and unexpected service early in the narrative?

O.R.S.: The “garment of praise,” “garments of salvation,” and “robe of righteousness” in Isaiah 61 have always captured my imagination, becoming the inspiration behind this gift. Isaiah 61 is a chapter of promise, the garments described are garments of promise, and now Judah receives a beautiful robe of promise. She knows instinctively that the robe wasn’t to be worn until a later time; the promise had not yet been fulfilled.

Mesda and her sister, Grumwold, represent the prophets and the law, respectively. In the Old Testament, we see that the prophets listened for the word of God, recorded it, shared it, and served the people. They were frequently mistreated by people who were ungrateful, did not understand, or rejected the word of God. Similarly, Mesda—as a servant of the Mountain King—is sent to serve Judah, to speak to her the will of the Mountain King. But Judah’s pride and impatience lead her to dismiss Mesda’s service, taking Judah down a longer, more difficult path to humility and truth.

Judah’s rides on Adara often serve as moments of reflection and freedom. What stylistic choices did you make to use these scenes to explore her journey toward personal growth and idealism?

O.R.S.: Judah longs to soar like a bird, so flying down the valley or across the plains on Adara’s back gives her great joy. People let their minds slow down and reflect when they feel the most freedom. Judah needs space and time to think or dream, and these come most naturally on her solo rides. She feels a kinship with her horse, and it was important that I give Judah situations where she feels free to communicate with her horse in a similar way that she communicates with herself. Some riding scenes, like the storm, reflect the inner turmoil Judah faces as she strives to emulate her dead parents. Others, such as Judah’s rides through the forest after visiting the shepherds, mirror the longing and uncertainty Judah faces as she struggles through phases of growth.

The prologue features Mesda urgently recording a parchment in her cell. How did you use this opening to set up themes of urgency, legacy, and divine inspiration without revealing too much of the plot?

O.R.S.: The Mountain King has an all-knowing perspective and plan beyond what anyone else can see or understand. This is the concept that drove the opening scene. I pulled it out of a pivotal moment in Judah’s life that happened before she was even born, something that she had no control over. What Judah’s parents had done wasn’t fair, and it changed the future for their unborn daughter. No one knew, they thought. But the Mountain King knew, and he planned for the saving of Judah’s future before she was even born. His servants Mesda and Grumwold were put in the perfect place at the perfect time to enact his perfect plan, and it was crucial that each woman obey the Master exactly how and when instructed. Judah’s parents left her a legacy of slavery in place of freedom. The Mountain King works from the very beginning to replace this with a legacy of redeeming love.

Early on, Judah grapples with independence and the temptation to prove herself. How did you draw from Christian themes of humility and reliance on others to shape her character arc in these initial stages?

O.R.S.: Grumwold was instrumental in the early shaping of Judah’s character. A strong, independent woman herself, Grumwold had nevertheless learned humility through her time with the shepherds, her service to the Mountain King and the governors, and her service to the people as Head Justice. She was great in the way Christ described greatness: “…whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant” (Matthew 20:26b NKJV). Judah relied on Grumwold’s wisdom and guidance, so despite Judah’s weaknesses, Grumwold’s humility continued to shape her even after Grumwold passed.

The contrast between Judah’s formal duties as governor and her introspective moments, like during Grumwold’s funeral, adds emotional layers. What influenced your narrative style to weave introspection with relational dynamics?

O.R.S.: I suppose it came naturally to me because—as an introvert—that is how I perceive daily life. Segments of time are either filled with my interacting with people or not interacting with people. When I’m interacting with people, my attention is taken with acting and speaking in a socially-appropriate manner, much like Judah’s formal tasks require her strict attention. But when I’m not interacting with people (whether or not people surround me), I think, reflect, observe. My own pattern of attention mirrored onto the page as I wrote Judah’s story.

The introduction of mysterious figures like the forest people emphasizes hidden protection and loyalty. How did you integrate this to foreshadow themes of unseen guidance and faith in the story’s early development?

O.R.S.: Like angels, the forest people are special servants of the Mountain King who quietly watch over his people. They obey their master, they are alert and prepared. Like Mesda, the forest people are also used to call Judah to faith in her king. When the forest people save Judah’s life near the beginning of the story, it foreshadows Judah’s eventual realization of her own helplessness in the face of evil.

Judah’s receipt of letters and gifts from the son of the Mountain King evokes a sense of longing and mystery. How did you use these elements to explore themes of betrothal and spiritual anticipation in a way that resonates with Christian readers?

O.R.S.: Judah’s incredible gifts and letters give a taste of something beyond imagination, something so beautiful and good that it ignites a longing to meet the source. The presents are gifts of love, specially and uniquely designed to speak joy and belonging into the heart of the beloved. Christian readers will be familiar with this hope-laden yearning for the Source of all joy, Jesus Christ, the One Who has made it possible for us to be with Him forever. C.S. Lewis describes this mysterious longing best in his book, Surprised by Joy: “Joy…must have the stab, the pang, the inconsolable longing.” In her impatience, Judah initially seeks fulfillment of this desire outside the source of promise. But the purpose of sparking such longing is clear: to lead us to its fulfillment in the One Who put the hungering in our hearts.

Son of the Mountain King

When an invasion threatens the land of the Mountain King, the fate of the people rests on the shoulders of young governor Judah. She has sworn to prove herself a skillful leader by protecting her kingdom from foes, but difficulty and danger surround her. Then Judah's life is saved by two different men who divide her loyalty. One, a fascinating healer, captures the hearts of Judah and her people. The other, a mysterious shepherd, forces Judah to question what she believes to be true. When a conspiracy comes to light that could destroy Judah and her kingdom, a single choice might cost her people everything. Will the headstrong leader prove herself-- or find herself

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