“Is anyone beyond saving?”
Sister Allison Regina Gliot, FSP, of the Daughters of Saint Paul, poses this question to her readers in her vampire book trilogy, "In Aeternum."
The first book, “The Curse He Chose,” became a hit with young readers this past summer, and the Media Nun is getting ready to release the second installment, “The Light They Left,” on January 2, 2025.
The trilogy follows Elizabeth, a recent high school graduate who meets an outcast vampire named Christopher. Christopher is “developing a conscience,” as he and Elizabeth work to escape the “vampires trying to eat them.” Elizabeth, through all their adventures, realizes her Catholic faith is the best protection against this evil.
The series, targeted towards teen and young adult audiences, combines adventure, spiritual warfare, and romance.
Sister Allison recently sat down with ChurchPOP editor Jacqueline Burkepile to discuss these books, how they’re resonating with readers, and what they’re doing to bring people to the Catholic faith.
Watch Sister Allison Regina Gliot, FSP, explain her vampire book series, “In Aeternum,” below:
In the interview, Sister Allison explains how she combined the Catholic faith with a vampire story.
“My vampire books kind of take traditional vampire lore and mix it with more modern young adult styles of storytelling, asking the question: ‘What would happen if being a practicing Catholic could save your life in an encounter with a hungry vampire?’” she says. “So it really takes Catholicism seriously, in a reverent way, but also is fully a vampire book.”
Sister Allison said Jesus inspired her to write the books as part of her Advent preparation.
“Jesus literally told me during Advent: ‘There’s this vampire story.’ I thought, ‘Vampires don’t seem very Christmasy.’ But He was so clear: ‘Write it down…Trust Me.’” she told Burkepile.
The Media Nun also explained that Jesus told her to “start praying for the future readers” even before she wrote the book. Sister Allison says she began praying for the readers many years ago.
“We're really praying for everyone who is touched by the stories or touched by our publications. And so I have been praying for the readers of this story for years now, but so have my sisters, and for anybody who encounters the series.”
Almost six months after the first book’s release, Sister Allison said the book has already brought readers closer to their Catholic faith.
“Some readers started going to Eucharistic adoration or became Eucharistic ministers because of the book,” the sister revealed. “Several young women even told me they’re discerning religious life now.”
“It's really beautiful that He's able to use this story as a catalyst for bringing people deeper into a relationship with him.”