Shaylee Gibbs
The Sin and
the Boy
“Where the underworld burns, two unlikely souls carry the fate of every world that has ever existed.”
Jignasa has served the Devil faithfully for centuries — feared, merciless, and untouchable as the Sin of Gluttony. She enforces the law of Golveviion with her claws and her will, and she never loses. But when an ancient prophecy names a Speaker — a boy with the voice of a holy book — as the key to everything, the most powerful demon in the underworld must choose between the world she has always known and the one she never knew she was fighting for.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Shaylee Gibbs
Shaylee Gibbs is a PR and Communications Specialist with a passion for storytelling and community connection. A Texas native now based in Kansas, Shaylee earned her Bachelor of Arts in Writing and Editing from Sterling College in 2024. Currently, Shaylee serves as the Public Relations Manager at Friends University, where she leverages her expertise to create compelling content and strategic communications that elevate the university’s brand and foster meaningful engagement. She has played a key role in producing Focus Magazine, Friends University’s alumni publication, and regularly shares stories that highlight the achievements of the university community. Shaylee’s work bridges the gap between storytelling and marketing, using her skills to connect diverse audiences. Outside of her professional role, Shaylee is a published author with her novel The Sin and the Boy and is an avid reader with an ever-growing personal library. She enjoys exploring the intersection of creativity and communication, always seeking new ways to inspire through both her writing and strategic outreach. Shaylee is eager to connect with others who share a passion for stories, strategy, or simply a good cup of coffee.”
Shaylee Gibbs is a PR and Communications Specialist, storyteller, and published author based in Kansas. A Texas native, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Writing and Editing from Sterling College in 2024 — the same year she completed her debut novel, The Sin and the Boy.
In her professional life, Shaylee serves as the Public Relations Manager at Friends University, where she creates strategic content and communications that connect audiences to the university’s story. She has led the production of Focus Magazine, Friends University’s alumni publication, and brings the same narrative instinct to every piece she touches.
Her debut novel is a natural extension of that storytelling drive — a dark fantasy epic built on years of worldbuilding, character work, and a deep love of myth, morality, and the spaces between good and evil. Shaylee is an avid reader with an ever-growing personal library, and she believes that the best stories are the ones that refuse to let you look away.
She is eager to connect with readers, fellow writers, and anyone who loves a world that asks hard questions.
THE STORY
The Sin and
the Boy
Knowledgeable Sin of Gluttony has always remained loyal to the underworld of Golveviion: named the right-hand demon to the King, Jignasa was feared throughout the rings and known to be a merciless soul collector. Dealing with the Dukes of Golveviion and the other demons of the land, Jignasa helps strike terror into all souls–all for the sake of the Devil.
But after a confusing and bloody encounter with an imp, Jignasa discovered that parts of her memory had been wiped. With her reputation on the line, Jignasa searches for a way to discover what she has lost–and why she lost it in the first place.
In the scorching rings of Golveviion, the demon underworld, Jignasa rules as the Sin of Gluttony — the Devil’s most feared enforcer. She collects souls, commands hellhounds, and has crushed every demon foolish enough to stand against her. Her loyalty is absolute. Her power is unquestioned. And then the prophecy arrives.
When Jignasa crosses paths with a soft-spoken boy who carries the power of an ancient holy book in his voice — she is drawn into a conflict that stretches far beyond Golveviion’s borders. Angels and demons are marching. Old alliances are fracturing. And the boy at the center of it all has no idea what his voice can do.
Genre & Themes
Dark Fantasy
DEMONS & ANGELS
ADVENTURE & MYSTERY
AN EMOTIONAL JOURNEY
Our Core VAlues
The Sin and the Boy
Our Mission
To tell the truth about power — who holds it, who pays for it, and what it costs to walk away from it. The Sin and the Boy doesn't deal in simple villains. Every character in this story is doing what they believe they must. The novel asks readers to sit with that discomfort and look harder.
Our Vision
A dark fantasy world where the most fearless thing a character can do is choose loyalty over self-preservation. Jignasa and story is ultimately about what we protect — and how that defines us more than any title, ring, or realm ever could.
Our Approach
Character first, always. The world of Golveviion, Ravi, and the Otherworld is elaborate and fully realized, but every detail of the lore serves the people within it. The Sin and the Boy is built on the belief that readers follow characters into any world — as long as those characters feel real enough to trust.
The Sin and the Boy
Video Trailer
The Sin and the Boy
Q&A
What was the inspiration behind The Sin and the Boy?
The idea of a demon and a child wandering the Earth in search of forgiveness first came to me in middle school and was strongly inspired by the anime *Inuyasha*. Over time, as I sat with the characters—daydreaming about the world they inhabited and developing my skills as a writer—I realized that Jignasa and the boy were far more than the beginnings of loosely based fanfiction. The story has since grown into something entirely its own. While it is no longer anything like the anime, I still feel firmly anchored to the ideas that first inspired it.
What is your writing background?
The Sin and the Boy was my first ever published novel, but before then I had drafted about three stories that went (and probably forever will) go unpublished. Outside of longer novels, I’ve written extensive short stories like Skyfall and Smoke Break; both of which are written in the horror genre and uploaded onto Archive of Our Own.
How do you create your characters?
I base my characters’ physical descriptions on their emotional and mental traits. For example, Jignasa from *The Sin and the Boy* has always been a massive, headstrong figure, so her towering build and rough exterior were essential to shaping her appearance. From there, I rely heavily on symbolism in each character’s description to reflect their personality and journey. I’ve always enjoyed when a character looks the part they play, so this approach has become my go-to method.
Who does Jignasa represent to you?
Jignasa embodies the stubbornness, headstrong resolve, and exuberant courage that I have never quite possessed. She undertakes a massive journey marked by memory loss, confusion, and the unknown, yet she continues to rely on her beliefs and push forward regardless. While I may not be facing angels and demons, I deeply admire her strength and often wish I could adopt those same qualities.
How long did it take you to write The Sin and the Boy?
The first glimpse of my novel started in middle school, but I only started writing Jignasa’s story when I was earning my bachelor’s degree. I had the help of some amazing professors to hone my craft. I also published individually and skipped a lot of steps—like working with a literary agent—when I decided to publish. All in all, it took about four years.
Where can I buy The Sin and the Boy
Physical copies of The Sin and the Boy are available on Amazon, BookBaby Bookshop, and local bookstores including The Burrowing Owl Bookstore in Amarillo, TX, The Watermark Bookstore in Wichita, KS, and The Twisted Bookstore in Newton, KS.
Can I create art for your novel?
Always! Since The Sin and the Boy has tons of unique characters and scenery, I love to see artist’s interpretations. If you post on social media, don’t forget to tag me in your description so I can praise your work!
What does the future of The Sin and the Boy look like?
Ultimately, the characters and story of The Sin and the Boy are complete. I left a few details open-ended but I feel no need to drag on Jignasa’s happy ending (spoiler alert). I do, however, have a few ideas set in the same universe, and may develop those ideas before I start crafting anything new. Whether a few recognizable characters show up in those books is completely up to fate.
Reviews
What Readers Are Saying
“I fell head over hooves in love with this book.
I was captivated by the author’s vision from the very first chapter.
Even before that, the personal note from the author reveals the intention, care, and dedication that went into creating such a skillfully executed story. Shaylee Gibbs is a master world-builder. I found myself getting lost not only in the beautifully crafted worlds of Ravi and Golveviion, but just as deeply in the relationships between the characters.
This book is a rare gem, so read closely as you begin this masterpiece…things are about to heat up.”
“This is not a book you can skim or rush through…it demands attention and justly rewards it.Every word feels carefully chosen, inviting you to slow down and read thoughtfully (I imagine, exactly as the author intended).
Each sentence is artfully and meticulously crafted, molding a world so vivid it comes fully alive in the mind’s eye. It feels like magic.”
“I am somewhat new to fantasy and wow. This was a LOT. I can't even imagine the drawings and maps the author had to create to write this. I finally had to just read and enjoy the fighting and the different shapes the demons and angels transformed into.
I do think this would make a cool movie. All the different changing forms, from human form to horns and claws would be fun.”
“I absolutely fell in love with Anoth’s character arc. From the moment of his introduction in the first chapter, I knew that he’d be my favorite.”
“It took me two days to finish this book and there was not a moment I wasn’t captivated!”
"I did not expect to feel this much for a demon. Jignasa is one of the most compelling protagonists I've read in years — fierce, complicated, and impossible to look away from. The world Shaylee has built is vivid and original, and the relationship between Jignasa is the emotional core that holds everything together. I finished it in two sittings."
"The worldbuilding in this book is extraordinary. Golveviion feels lived-in — the rings, the hierarchies, the politics between demons and the Devil's court. But what really makes it work is that Gibbs never lets the lore overshadow the characters. Every detail exists because it matters to Jignasa's story. A stunning debut."
"I love fantasy that builds mythology from scratch, and Gibbs does it beautifully. The three-world structure — Golveviion, Ravi, the Otherworld — is elegantly constructed, and the relationship between demons and angels isn't black-and-white. The final chapters are breathtaking. I need the next book immediately."