Ephie Risho

Ephie Risho is the author of two fantasy series that span audiences and styles—from laugh-out-loud contemporary adventures to sweeping epic quests.

His newest project, The Stone of Amun-Ra, blends humor, heart, and high-stakes mystery into a modern fantasy thriller. The first book, The Unbearable Luck of Being Mitzy, follows Stanley “Mitzy” Mitz and his ragtag friends from Montana who stumble upon a glowing shard that changes their lives forever. The artifact grants Mitzy impossible good luck—but also draws the attention of secret societies, ruthless agents, and powers that trace back to ancient Egypt. What begins as a midnight meteor shower quickly spirals into a globe-spanning chase filled with danger, banter, and unlikely heroism.

Risho is also the co-author—along with his oldest child, Blue—of The Elementalists, a sweeping YA epic that blends classic quest fantasy with contemporary heart. Perfect for readers 8–13 (and family read-alouds), the series follows friends whose bond is tested by goblin wars, ancient magic, and choices that carry real consequences. Expect brisk pacing, big set-pieces, and an undercurrent of hope: courage grows, friendships harden into family, and even impossible odds can be outwitted.

The Elementalists — Book by Book

Phoenix Rising (Book 1)

When fire rains down on her village, twelve-year-old archer Amber discovers a spark within herself—real elemental power she can barely control. Teaming up with bold Basil and big-hearted Theo, she uncovers a plot that threatens the realm far beyond her valley. Between midnight escapes, woodland skirmishes, and a perilous trek into enemy territory, Amber must decide what kind of hero she’ll be: a lone ember that burns out…or the spark that lights a beacon. A propulsive origin story about bravery, belonging, and the first price of power.

Crodor the Ancient (Book 2)

A massive goblin host marches on Arendon—but the goblins are puppets, controlled by wizards who want the kingdom to tear itself apart. The only shot at survival? Freeing Crodor the Ancient, a legendary red dragon bound by a cruel spell. To break the curse, Amber, Basil, Theo, and their friends must outwit treacherous mountain clans, solve an elemental riddle, and face the terrifying question at the heart of the war: can you trust a dragon you’ve been raised to fear? Expect siege battles, dragon flight, and a pact that will change everything.

Secret of the Kraken (Book 3)

With the land war stalled, the trail turns seaward—to myths whispered by sailors and a map no dwarf will admit to drawing. The Elementalists venture into storm-lashed waters, where emperors bargain in half-truths and a colossal Kraken guards what it was sworn to keep: clues to a scepter powerful enough to tip the balance against the wizards. In hidden cities and bioluminescent caverns, loyalties are tested and a heartbreaking choice emerges: to claim power, someone must pay the debt the ocean is owed.

The Twelfth Scepter (Book 4)

Prophecy speaks of twelve scepters—eleven known, one lost—that together can either heal the world…or end it. As the wizards rally behind a ruthless queen and darkness lengthens, the Elementalists race to assemble the final pieces before the last eclipse. Old mentors return, betrayals come due, and each hero must wield their gift at full strength—fire, earth, water, air, plants and animals—no longer as children learning control, but as guardians willing to sacrifice. From sky-bridges across the world to a final confrontation where friendship itself becomes a weapon, the series crescendos to a payoff that’s earned, surprising, and deeply satisfying.

Across both series, Risho writes fantasy with a modern edge—fast-paced, witty, and heartfelt—where ordinary kids and twenty-somethings alike discover they’re capable of extraordinary things. Start with Phoenix Rising or dive into The Unbearable Luck of Being Mitzy and meet your new favorite found family.