What If the Chosen One Wasn't Meant for Glory?
“The rightful heir. It is as it should be.”
As she passed the crown, her breath began to fade. Tear-stained face, a man wept over her.
Not for a queen.
Not for a trained warrior.
But for the girl who had believed in a brighter future.
And who, in the end, made it so.
Have you ever read a story with the 'Chosen One' trope, and thought, "They always write it the same way. This is just getting boring."
We all know this one. The main character is usually singled out by their unique gifts, talents, destiny, or a prophesy to fulfill a monumental task, which often involves saving the world.
This is a great trope! But when you've read it so many times, it can get a little repetitive and predictable, which doesn't make reading the story quite so fun.
But what if the 'Chosen One' prophecy didn’t lead to glory...
…but to sacrifice instead?
This question lies at the heart of Dreamteller by Kelsey D. Shade—our featured author for the Summer Parcel.
This is not your average fantasy book!
Dreamteller takes an otherwise bland and familiar trope—the “chosen one”—and flips it on its head. The result?
A story that not only entertains, but is truly inspiring and unique, leaving lasting thoughts long after you flip the last page.
A Different Kind of Hero
"The main premise behind Dreamteller sparked after I was introduced to the Biblical character of Jonathan (1 and 2 Samuel).
His boldness and faith inspired me, but most of all, it was his humility and willingness to step down from his role as the king’s heir when God anointed another.
This—combined with my love of fantasy—led me to the trope twist of “What if the prophecy didn’t call the ‘chosen one’ to step into leadership and glory? What if, instead, it called them to lay everything down?”
—Kelsey D. Shade, author of Dreamteller.
Jonathan was the heir to Israel’s throne. Yet when God chose David instead, Jonathan didn’t fight him. He honored him and elevated him higher than himself.
This theme weaves itself through the pages of Dreamteller, as the heroine is confronted with a choice - a choice that won't only impact her, but history itself.
The choice laid before her?
Embrace the false narrative told to her and her people, stuffing the truth deeper beneath a cloak of deceit and lies...
...or surrender the throne to the rightful heir, for the sake of truth, justice, and the true prosperity of her kingdom.
It’s not loud or flashy.
It’s not soaked in romance or rebellion for rebellion’s sake.
It’s a quiet strength.
Reflecting sacrificial courage.
It’s the kind of courage and strength that doesn’t wear a crown—but gives it away.
This is what makes this story so inspiring in a way that had me pondering the message long after I'd finished it—something I've never quite experienced so strongly.
Simply put, this story is brilliant, and I want you to experience it for yourself!
Planting Seeds with Stories
Stories aren't just a way to pass time (although, they are wonderful for that). They simultaneously plant seeds in us and shape the way we think, what we value, and thus influencing how we live.
When you read about a heroine who rises against all odds, or a warrior who chooses what’s right over what’s easy… how does it make you feel?
Does it inspire you to face your own challenges with more courage? Do you ever find yourself thinking, what would this character do?
When we read about characters who choose courage over comfort, who stand for what’s right even when it hurts and leaves them bleeding—we walk away changed.
At least, I did.
And I'm confident that by reading this story, you will too!
This is why at Lamp Post Parcel we're so intentional about the books we feature and support. Nobody benefits from reading explicit scenes or vulgar language.
Clean fiction doesn't mean boring fiction. We're here to offer you stories that are not only inspiring, but offer amazing storytelling, worldbuilding, and characters you can relate to.
These stories can contribute to building character and sparking meaningful conversations—something the fantasy genre does exceptionally well.
Our thinking precedes our actions, which is one reason Dreamteller is so powerful, offering messages of hope, strength, and bold courage in the face of difficulty and danger.
A Story That Sticks With You
Dreamteller offers us tropes such as...
🏹Loyalty and betrayal
Court intrigue & royal alliances
Righteous rebellion
Sacrificial courage
Beneath all the tropes and twists lies something deeper...
The reminder that not all warriors wear glory. Some wear ash and iron. But the names carved in courage will never be forgotten—because ultimately, true legends never die.
You don't have to wear a crown of glory to be a warrior. True warriors stand with the determination of doing what's right. They stand with courage, and even more so when their greatest fear confronts them.
Even when their knees shake and threaten to buckle beneath them.
They stand.
Even when they fall.
They get back up.
Something I was left with at the end of this impactful fantasy story:
Standing for truth is never wasted… even if no one sees it.
Inside the Truth & Treason Parcel
One of our favorite things to do is pair our featured book with aspects that bring the story to life, making it a full and immersive reading experience—including themed items and digital goodies to deepen the story’s message.
Here’s what’s inside the Summer Parcel!
📖 Dreamteller by Kelsey D. Shade
A prophecy-driven tale of vision, loyalty, and a heroine who holds the power to change the future with the uprooted knowledge of the past.
📜 "Sealed in Wax and Treachery" Stationery Set
Inspired by the secret betrayals in the story—perfect for penning your own conspirator-worthy letters.
🥀 "Bloom Where the Battle Finds You" Floral Armor Bookmark
A tribute to those who wear both strength and elegance—this floral bookmark honors the quiet courage of warriors who rise, not in glory, but in grace and courage. Petals meet steel in a story that is yours to mark.
🏹 "The Prophecy’s Chosen" Exclusive Art Prints
Glance into the prophecy through breathtaking artwork that captures the heart of the story, a glimpse of courage and bravery in every glance.
💌 Our Signature Report Card
A visual content summary for easy review (especially for parents!), plus exclusive access to:
🍞 A themed recipe
🎶 A hand-curated playlist
📖 Our full, detailed book review
P.s. Those who purchase get 30 days access to the book review before we release it to the public!
For Families Who Value Truth
After trying multiple book box subscriptions such as Fairyloot and OwlCrate, and continually being bombarded with anti-traditional ideologies and messaging, vulgar language, and spice (even a full-on sex scene in one book—yikes!), we'd had enough.
Why is it so hard to find good, epic stories that are also clean and wholesome? That shouldn't be such a tall order. And it isn't.
So, we decided to create the solution. We wanted clean stories that didn’t compromise on values—or quality! We figured there were many others who felt the same way.
Dreamteller is everything our literary hearts crave: it’s uplifting, rich in theme, beautifully written, and appropriate for teens (with a rating of PG13 only for action violence).
It doesn't compromise traditional values, and it and presents a powerful message of humility, truth, and redemption. Do yourself a favor and read this book!
One Last Glimpse
You find yourself in a quiet, cozy chamber, a fire burning in the stone hearth. Grey shadows mingle with the firelight, casting playful shadows on the walls. The worn floorboards creak as you lean off the bed and step toward the door left slightly ajar.
Down the winding corridor—its walls adorned with elaborate stonework—whispers of a deadly betrayal bounce along its length.
Even though you don’t yet know it, you are a part of the prophecy. A prophecy buried beneath the rubble of jealousy and hunger for power.
In the vision, you were a grown woman, courageous and beautiful. You climbed the Citadel steps, with long dark hair cascading down your back like a waterfall. You wore a breastplate of armor over your chest, and in your hand, you clutched the Megaran crown.
You held it out to a boy, and said, “The rightful heir. It is as it should be.” After you passed the crown, your breath began to fade. There was a man bending over you, a man with the ragged and bloodied clothes of a captive.
And he wept.
He wept because he lost you. Because he loved you.
Not all warriors wear glory. Some wear ash and iron. The names carved in courage will never be forgotten—because legends never die.
In every generation another will rise—not to seize the crown, but to pass it on.
Inspired by Chapter 26.
~~~
That’s the story you’ll step into when you open this book.
Ready to enter a world of Truth & Treason?
👉 Try your first parcel before you commit! Then, if you're completely enchanted by the magic of our clean book box (which we can promise, you definitely will be), subscribe to our quarterly parcel plan so we can hand-deliver clean, epic fantasy stories straight to your door, all year long!
Here's to making book boxes great again.