Let's see how your childhood bully likes this fireball spell.
Jun 23, 2023 2:30 pm
Voted "Most Likely to Master Dark Occult Arts" in the Highschool Yearbook
I'm not that fond of the revenge fantasy. If Count Rugen kills your father so you kill him, the only real difference between the two of you is sequencing. That and you've now wasted your life on a quest that doesn't really pay the bills. But it's quite popular in fiction.
In the movie version of The Neverending Story, Sebastian and Falkor (a beautiful lithe luckdragon with a bell-like voice which was depicted in the movie--heartbreakingly--as an ugly goofy flying dog) enact revenge on his childhood bullies by chasing them down an alley. Seeing their horrified faces is viscerally satisfying if you're a child watching the movie, but as a mother, I see it as a hurt child using his newfound power to inflict more hurt on other children. There's no way those kids weren't traumatized by that just as bad or worse as what Sebastian experienced.
And yet, one of the tropes I love in fantasy novels is the scene in which our hero, having come into his magical wizard powers and having gained royal acclaim for saving the kingdom, returns to his humble village and confronts the bully of his childhood. The bully tries his garden-variety shenanigans and our hero pulls out his magical sword while we all grin with vindication. I mean, haven't we all indulged in the daydream of going back to our high school reunion and basking in the shock and awe as all those people who disregarded you as just a dorky teen figure out you're now a fire-bending ninja of epic renown?
In Parasitic Souls, Fiona goes back to her childhood home of Clementine, California, hoping to show up everyone who didn't appreciate her in high school now that she's become a fabulous Los Angeles version of herself. It doesn't work out the way she intends. Fiona's not yet old and wise enough to realize that the only thing sweeter than revenge is growing to the place where you can no longer be hurt by the petty shenanigans of teenage bullies.
Magic is the newest technology, and evil people are already using it to do horrible things. Can our star-crossed young lovers protect each other? This is one of my few stand-alone novels. It has no swearing and a PG romance. It's a fun novel that deserves more positive ratings and reviews.
Did you read this book? I'd love your reviews and recommendations! (Wide)
If you haven't heard about the latest Kit Melbourne book, Wizard's Bunker, you still have a chance to be the first reviewer on many sites! (Review copies also available.) Ratings and reviews really make a difference!
This week's question: Which magical powers do you like to daydream about having?
Lucien de Winter is assigned a case that involves mysterious demonic activity at a privileged academy. There he meets Avery, whose electric spirit captivates him. But when Lucien is forcefully turned into a vampire, Avery and Lucien must find Vlad Dracula—the one person who can save them both. (Wide)
Ten years ago, a vampire took my father's life. Today, I hunt that creature.
My father's old employers covered up his murder to shield London's hidden supernatural community. But who are they really protecting? As I get closer to the truth, I find myself caught in a dangerous game of survival. I must catch the killer before I become the next victim. (Amazon)
Take a break with a free book!
Gratuitous Cat Picture
Zinko and I acting superior to all the people who ignored us in high school.
Other Novels
