March 2023’s newsletter main feature. “Book Recommendation: Shadow Magic.”
Book Recommendation: Shadow Magic
A little known fact about querying agents is that it is useful to compile a short list of comp titles, which are books similar in genre and/or theme to your own, in order to give the agent an idea of what your story is like.
“Shadow Magic” by Joshua Khan is one of the comp titles I discovered last year for my own work, “Fledged in Storms.” I enjoyed the story so much that I recommended it to my mother, and we’re reading the series together.
Now I recommend it to you!
Summary
“Shadow Magic” by Joshua Khan is a middle grade fantasy, meant for readers ages 10-12 but fun for any age. While it’s technically a dark fantasy, it’s middle grade dark. The story isn’t too scary for kids, and everyone can enjoy the gothic atmosphere.
The story begins with Thorn, a poor hunter from Herne’s Forest, who is captured and sold to Tyburn, the executioner from the creepy kingdom Gehenna. Gehenna– the land of the undead– is troubled after the death of all but one of the royal family. Rule of Gehenna is left to young Lilith (Lily) Shadow, who has been coerced into an arranged marriage with the son of a rival kingdom. Since women aren’t allowed to practice magic, Lily struggles to protect her people.
Soon, Lily and Thorn are drawn together as an unknown assailant makes increasingly deadly attempts on her life. To save the kingdom and catch the would-be assassin, they must take the investigation into their own hands. Lily will have to break the oldest rule of all by accepting her heritage and embracing her own, powerful necromancy.
Fun Characters
This book is just so much fun. Who doesn’t love a gothic story featuring a headstrong princess, a daring peasant boy, and a giant bat?
One of the story’s highlights is Thorn’s and Lily’s evolving friendship. They come from such different backgrounds that it’s not a surprise when they don’t gel right away. Even after forming a real friendship, there’s still tension between them due to their different viewpoints. Lily is a ruler and a noble. She has to think broadly about the wellbeing of her kingdom, and often doesn’t understand the individual. Thorn, on the other hand, grew alongside people who scraped to find food everyday, and doesn’t understand the need for presentation that comes with being a public figure.
And yet, they work because they have such strong respect for each other, even if they don’t always understand each other. Lily sees that Thorn is brave, noble, and genuine. He’s a highly competent archer and great with animals, and he’s quick to take on dangerous matters when it’s necessary. Thorn sees that Lily deeply cares for her people, and she is a smart and determined leader. They share a level of stubborn rebelliousness that makes them work well together.
Feminist Princess
Lily is not a weak-willed princess waiting to be rescued.
Actually, it’s remarked upon in-story how she more closely fits the “evil queen” archetype. An ironic comparison, as she’s a kind and generous person.
Since she’s only thirteen, she does begin the story overshadowed by her adult advisors who run the kingdom for her. You can sort of understand where the adults are coming from– she is a child– but she’s not trusted to make her own decisions, even though SHE IS THE RULER. We the readers know she is competent enough to lead, and through the whole book, we want her to throw off the smothering adult figures.
And it is wonderful when she finally does.
More than that, she also throws off her society’s patriarchal views. Women aren’t supposed to practice magic because they’re “dangerous” and “can’t control their powers,” which is classic “you can’t do that because you’re a girl” BS. Lily comes into her own power, and to avoid spoilers, let’s just say it is satisfying.
It’s always great to read a story that breaks the helpless princess stereotype. So if you want to read about a goth girlboss, check out “Shadow Magic.”
Worldbuilding
“Shadow Magic” gives the feel of a full, complete world without overwhelming the reader with exposition. It provides an in-depth view of Gehenna, and introduces characters from Herne’s Forest, the Sultanate of Fire, and the Kingdom of Lumina, while other countries are mentioned but not explored. The narrative sets up the other countries and cultures– each with their own form of magic– but grounds us in the present at Gehenna. So, the story can remain small while the word building is ready to be expanded upon in the rest of the series.
Gehenna itself is a lot of fun because– from the outside– it seems like the typical spooky, evil kingdom. Necromancy is always evil, right? But as Thorn comes to know it, both he and the reader fall in love with the country until you can see it in the loving way that Lily does. Suddenly the foreigners who judge its dark appearance are the weird ones. It’s a fun twist, making the creepy necromancers the good guys and the pretty light-mages the annoying antagonists.
The book also sets the foundation for the history of magic. The reader learns a satisfying amount about the magic system from Gehenna, Lumina, and the Sultanate, while still leaving room to wonder. What else will Lily learn while she continues to practice magic? What is the magic from the Coral Isles and the Eagle Mountains like? Is there more to the legend of the Six Princes than we’ve been told?
In short, “Shadow Magic” does what every good first book does: it is a satisfying story in its own right, while also leaving us wanting more.
Closing Remarks
Sometimes, you need a fun book you can escape into where you know the heroes will come out on top and the action is thrilling but not graphic. The romance is sweet and low key, the friendships are strong, and there’s a giant bat to ride on. “Shadow Magic” by Joshua Khan is a great book to recommend for middle school fantasy lovers, and if you’re someone like me who refuses to grow up, you just might love it too.
Currently, three books are available in the series with more on their way. Check it out in your local library, and let me know what you think. 🙂
-S. Labrecque
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