Paperback now available on Amazon
I’ve been exploring and sharing different ways authors engage their readers. Today let’s bring in mystique and intrigue.
Fantasy is a genre perfectly situated for mystique and intrigue. Magical beings, other worlds, magical powers—they all have that unique draw that I’m calling “intrigue.”
The Curse of the Neverland rates only moderately in these categories. Perhaps because the Neverland has become so well known over the century since Peter Pan and Wendy was written, it’s almost garden-variety fantasy. I’ve added a dragon to my spin-off, which up-levels it slightly. Book Two, Becoming Piper Pan, cranks the mystique up a notch with the introduction of a Dream Keeper, and the deeper involvement of the fairy king and queen in the Neverland’s fate.
Today’s two book recommendations both rate high on mystique and intrigue.
A Sliver of Stardust, by Marissa Burt (another Seattle-area author!)
“After a strange encounter at a science competition, Wren Matthews discovers a secret magical order known as the Fiddlers, and must learn to use the power of stardust to save them, herself, and the world from the return of a sinister enemy.”
I like the concept of the magical world existing alongside our “real” world, simply invisible to all those who are not dialed in—like the “muggles” in Harry Potter’s England. The creative use of nursery rhymes, and riding on the backs of falcons were other highlights to this story. It took me some time to warm up to the girl hero, but I will certainly look for the sequel to this book when it comes out.
The Tygrine Cat, by Inbali Iserles (an amazing debut novel)
“Lost and alone, Mati the Tygrine Cat seeks acceptance from a pack of feral cats at Cressida Locks, but in order to defeat the assassin on his trail, Mati must unlock the secret of his true identity and learn to harness an ancient and deadly feline power.”
This book gets really high marks from me all around, and the mystique factor is fabulous. Mati’s journey is a spiritual one in nature. Unlocking his identity and power requires him to understand “the second body,” which I interpret as “soul.” There’s a revered history of using anthropomorphism in children’s books. An example of its continued relevance and success is Erin Hunter’s Warrior series.
The Tygrine Cat is a winner, I highly recommend it for adult readers. It would make a good read-aloud as well.