Some fantasy stories begin with a doorway to another world. Silicat: Where the Spirit Goes, Magic Follows begins somewhere far more personal: within the bond between a brother and sister. Daniel A. J. Barker’s debut novel uses that emotional foundation to create a fantasy adventure filled with imagination, danger, grief, and hope.
Published on September 19, 2025, the novel serves as the opening chapter of the Silicat Saga and introduces readers to a magical realm where the human spirit can leave a powerful mark.
Wesley’s Journey Begins With Love and Loss
At the center of Silicat: Where the Spirit Goes, Magic Follows is eleven-year-old Wesley and his older sister, Katie. Their close relationship includes a special nightly tradition. Katie creates and illustrates adventures set in Silicat, giving the siblings a shared world filled with stories and imagination.
Their lives change when Katie becomes terminally ill and eventually falls into a coma. Wesley’s familiar world suddenly feels uncertain. During the quiet of night, however, something extraordinary happens. He begins dreaming about Silicat and finds himself awakening inside the very realm that Katie once brought to life through her stories.
For Wesley, the adventure quickly becomes deeply personal. He believes that saving Silicat could somehow help him save Katie.
His journey brings him face-to-face with dragons, threatening shadows, and a formidable wizard. He also gains an unforgettable companion in Sir Muffins, the knightly counterpart of the family’s pet cat. Armed with sharp claws and an equally sharp personality, Sir Muffins adds character and energy to Wesley’s path through the realm.
As reality and imagination become increasingly intertwined, Wesley has to discover what courage means when the stakes feel impossibly high.
Fantasy With an Emotional Heart
The magical setting gives Daniel room to build an adventurous story while exploring themes that remain recognizably human. Grief, family, resilience, fear, memory, and love all influence Wesley’s experiences.
That emotional direction was particularly important to Daniel during the book’s path toward publication. After writing from an early age and participating competitively through local newspapers, Writing.com, Booksie, and other platforms, he decided in 2024 to pursue professional publication.
Silicat ultimately received five publishing offers, including hybrid and traditional opportunities. Daniel instead established Depths of Dreams Publishing. Some interested publishers wanted the emotional focus behind Wesley’s journey reduced, and Daniel chose to preserve that element.
The decision also opened the door to a larger creative ambition. Depths of Dreams Publishing is being developed as a home for original books and audiobooks, with a long-term goal of creating opportunities for writers and other creative collaborators.
From One Novel to the Expanding Silicat Saga
Although Silicat: Where the Spirit Goes, Magic Follows was initially envisioned as a standalone story, its world continued growing.
The sequel, Thorns of the Rose, arrived in March 2026, while Beyond the Veil is scheduled for October. A companion series titled Tales of Silicat is also set to begin with Robyn’s Eyes. Together, these projects expand a universe shaped by generations of characters and the places where human experience meets unexpected magic.
Creative collaboration has become another important part of that expansion. Indonesian illustrator Magi Purnomo provides the artwork and visual direction associated with Silicat, while voice actress Ro Lynam has an ongoing relationship with the publisher for the audiobook series.
Daniel generally prefers to keep the attention on the characters, story, and artwork rather than placing himself at the center of the project. That approach fits a novel whose strongest moments grow from Wesley’s experiences and the emotional meaning behind his quest.
Readers can experience the first book in Kindle, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook editions. It is also distributed across major mainstream book retailers.
About the Author
Daniel A. J. Barker is a UK-based author and founder of Depths of Dreams Publishing. His writing spans fantasy, science fiction, contemporary fiction, and reflective nonfiction.
Beyond the Silicat Saga, Daniel created the Conscious Minds science-fiction series and wrote the near-future thriller Battle-Mech Omega. His contemporary novel Another Grain of Salt explores heartbreak, healing, and rebuilding. His reflective nonfiction includes The Book of Dan and A Journey of Heart and Mind, which examine anxiety, grief, doubt, and self-trust.
Through Depths of Dreams Publishing, Daniel continues working with narrators, illustrators, and creative partners while developing an expanding catalogue of original projects.
Where Imagination Carries the Spirit
Silicat: Where the Spirit Goes, Magic Follows places an intimate family story inside a sweeping fantasy adventure. Wesley’s determination to reach Katie gives every dragon, shadow, discovery, and moment of bravery a deeper emotional purpose.
For readers drawn to imaginative worlds with heartfelt themes, Silicat offers a journey where love and courage can become powerful forms of magic.