Ashley Thorpe is a British author of fantasy for younger readers. He is best known for The Boy to Beat the Gods (2024) and Spirit Warriors (2025). His debut was shortlisted for the Jhalak Prize, the Branford Boase Award, and The Week Junior Award for Breakthrough Book.
The Boy to Beat the Gods began in 2017 as a simple idea. “The seed came in 2017,” Thorpe recalled. “The idea was essentially just one kid vs several malevolent gods — because what stakes could be higher than going up against deities?”
Drawing on his knowledge of Orisha mythology, he developed the tale of Kayode, who seeks to rescue his sister from the Orishas. The story mixes West African folklore with the quest format, creating battles against gods with flaws and weaknesses.
Thorpe acknowledged gaming influences: “The idea of there being sub-bosses of increasing difficulty before the big boss is straight out of an RPG.” Judges for the Branford Boase Award praised it as a fresh take on the quest format.
Spirit Warriors followed in 2025. This book expands his mythological focus into Caribbean folklore. It centres on Evie, who inherits a gemstone with protective powers, and her friend Arthur, transformed into a cat. Together with Cai, a trainee shaman, they confront the Blackheart Man, who seeks to destroy the barrier between the living and the dead.
The novel features themes of bravery, loyalty, and discovery. Author Alex Wheatle praised it as “a deep dive into Jamaican folklore, belief systems and vivid storytelling.”
Thorpe has also spoken about the challenges of tone in his work. During the pandemic, he felt early drafts of The Boy to Beat the Gods were too dark, but a later revision allowed the story to flow.
He has said that the balance of editing and writing is essential to his career: “I’m very, very lucky to work with an editor who understands my writing and my vision.” Outside of writing, Thorpe enjoys music under the name Breezewax, gaming, anime, and walking in nature.
Ashley Thorpe lives in Manchester with his partner and a cat. Alongside writing, he works as an editor at Storymix.
Photo credit: David Barden Media
The Boy to Beat the Gods began in 2017 as a simple idea. “The seed came in 2017,” Thorpe recalled. “The idea was essentially just one kid vs several malevolent gods — because what stakes could be higher than going up against deities?”
Drawing on his knowledge of Orisha mythology, he developed the tale of Kayode, who seeks to rescue his sister from the Orishas. The story mixes West African folklore with the quest format, creating battles against gods with flaws and weaknesses.
Thorpe acknowledged gaming influences: “The idea of there being sub-bosses of increasing difficulty before the big boss is straight out of an RPG.” Judges for the Branford Boase Award praised it as a fresh take on the quest format.
Spirit Warriors followed in 2025. This book expands his mythological focus into Caribbean folklore. It centres on Evie, who inherits a gemstone with protective powers, and her friend Arthur, transformed into a cat. Together with Cai, a trainee shaman, they confront the Blackheart Man, who seeks to destroy the barrier between the living and the dead.
The novel features themes of bravery, loyalty, and discovery. Author Alex Wheatle praised it as “a deep dive into Jamaican folklore, belief systems and vivid storytelling.”
Thorpe has also spoken about the challenges of tone in his work. During the pandemic, he felt early drafts of The Boy to Beat the Gods were too dark, but a later revision allowed the story to flow.
He has said that the balance of editing and writing is essential to his career: “I’m very, very lucky to work with an editor who understands my writing and my vision.” Outside of writing, Thorpe enjoys music under the name Breezewax, gaming, anime, and walking in nature.
Ashley Thorpe lives in Manchester with his partner and a cat. Alongside writing, he works as an editor at Storymix.
Photo credit: David Barden Media
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