Hiya book lovers With Christmas being just around the corner, I thought I’d highlight some South African reads that should go on your TBR pile. We have so many phenomenal SA authors that deserve to be celebrated , and because this list will be an extensive one, I am splitting this post and making it a series. I know it won’t be possible to include every single South African author, but I am going to try to highlight books from every genre and make it as diverse as possible (so, with respect, please don’t ask me why so and so isn’t on the list – there’s more to come). First up: 1. Sing Down the Stars by Nerine Dorman A book I recently received for review ( thanks you NB publishers ) and am super excited about diving into is Sing Down the Stars. I was first introduced to Nerine’s writing years ago, when I read one of her first books, What Sweet Music They Make (Would 100% still love to see more of that). Over the years, I ’ve come to know Nerine as well and she’s not ...
In today’s feature, I’d like to welcome K.M. Randall, author of Young Adult fantasy novel, Fractured Dream, to my blog today.
In her guest post, K.M writes about a subject that is an absolute favourite of mine: mythology, magic and fairy tales.
Given that her book, Fractured Dream, is very much rooted in the world of fairy tales, I couldn’t think of a better topic that would be more suited to her – so, without further ado - here are the top 5 reasons she loves these fantastical elements in fiction.
Five reasons why I love myth, magic and fairy tales in fiction . . .
I’ve loved anything supernatural, magical or mythical in stories as far back as I can remember from the Bunnicula series by James Howe to anything by Madeleine L'Engle. So here it is, my five reasons why I love myth, magic and fairy tales in fiction:
Escape:
I like to get lost for a bit sometimes and go to a world where magic exists. I read all genres of books—nature writing and religion-based novels are my non-fiction favorites—but fiction is my escape, especially stories that sweep me away to new places and adventures.
Heroes/Heroines:
In her guest post, K.M writes about a subject that is an absolute favourite of mine: mythology, magic and fairy tales.
Given that her book, Fractured Dream, is very much rooted in the world of fairy tales, I couldn’t think of a better topic that would be more suited to her – so, without further ado - here are the top 5 reasons she loves these fantastical elements in fiction.
Five reasons why I love myth, magic and fairy tales in fiction . . .
I’ve loved anything supernatural, magical or mythical in stories as far back as I can remember from the Bunnicula series by James Howe to anything by Madeleine L'Engle. So here it is, my five reasons why I love myth, magic and fairy tales in fiction:
Escape:
I like to get lost for a bit sometimes and go to a world where magic exists. I read all genres of books—nature writing and religion-based novels are my non-fiction favorites—but fiction is my escape, especially stories that sweep me away to new places and adventures.
Heroes/Heroines:
In many stories, brave heroines and heroes in fantastical places, or even within our own world, face great odds but come through in the end to save the day, the world or themselves. For me, these characters working toward the greater good tell us about who we want to be.
They fight, they love and they work toward something great. Real or mythic, looking up to a hero is never a bad thing because the values being instilled—bravery, standing up for what’s right, truth—are good values. Specifically, I’ve always loved books with strong female characters.
Anyone who reads my books will see that my heroines aren’t damsels in distress—they have power and they use it. So the stories I’ve read before my own have colored my writing.
Romantic:
I’m a romantic at heart. I know, as does any person who has been in a long-term relationship or marriage, that once the rosy glow fades it can be hard work to keep it together.
But love is a strong force, and that initial attraction and falling feeling is one of the greatest emotions, and scariest emotions, a person can feel.
Love stories in fantasy, whether it’s Snow White and her prince or the magic of soul mates, allows me to live in a world where love at first sight is a reality and destined souls find each other and experience endless love.
It’s considered fantasy for more reasons than one after all.
To Learn:
I’ve always been fascinated with mythology, became fairly obsessed with Greek mythology in my early teens, and grew to study religion as a concentration in college. Mythology, fairy tales, they’re both culturally rich and steeped in religious and societal undertones.
That many fairytales were written as commentary on society or that people once worshipped a variety of gods and were persecuted for it makes these stories all the more important, even when they’re being used for entertainment purposes within a book.
They teach us about other cultures and the human condition. So even though it’s fiction there’s truth within relatable characters and oftentimes parallels to issues affecting our world.
Happily-ever-after
The final reason is very simple. I like happy endings, and usually, I can get that from stories with fairy tales, myth and magic. And that makes me happy.
About Fractured Dream
Have you ever wondered where fairytales go once they're created?
It's been eight years since Story Sparks last had a dream. Now they're back, tormenting her as nightmares she can't remember upon waking.
The black waters of Lake Sandeen, where her Uncle Peter disappeared decades before, may hold the secret to Story's hidden memories, or a truth she'd rather not know.
On a bright summer afternoon, Story and her two best friends, Elliott and Adam, take a hike to the lake, where they dive into the cool water and never reemerge.
What they find is beyond anything they've ever imagined could be possible, a world where dangers lurk in the form of Big Bad Wolves, living Nightmares and meddlesome witches and gods.
Now Story must remember who she really is and somehow stop two worlds from ultimate annihilation, all while trying not to be too distracted by the inexplicable pull she feels toward a certain dark-eyed traveler who seems to have secrets of his own.
The fates of the worlds are counting on her.
Add Fractured Dream to your TBR pile
Purchase a copy from:
Barnes & Noble
Have you ever wondered where fairytales go once they're created?
It's been eight years since Story Sparks last had a dream. Now they're back, tormenting her as nightmares she can't remember upon waking.
The black waters of Lake Sandeen, where her Uncle Peter disappeared decades before, may hold the secret to Story's hidden memories, or a truth she'd rather not know.
On a bright summer afternoon, Story and her two best friends, Elliott and Adam, take a hike to the lake, where they dive into the cool water and never reemerge.
What they find is beyond anything they've ever imagined could be possible, a world where dangers lurk in the form of Big Bad Wolves, living Nightmares and meddlesome witches and gods.
Now Story must remember who she really is and somehow stop two worlds from ultimate annihilation, all while trying not to be too distracted by the inexplicable pull she feels toward a certain dark-eyed traveler who seems to have secrets of his own.
The fates of the worlds are counting on her.
Add Fractured Dream to your TBR pile
Purchase a copy from:
Barnes & Noble
About K.M. Randall
As a girl, K.M. always wished she’d suddenly come into magical powers or cross over into a Faerie circle.
Although that has yet to happen, she instead lives vicariously through the characters she creates in writing fantasy and delving into the paranormal.
When K.M. is not busy writing her next novel, she is the editor-in-chief of a blog covering the media industry, as well as an editor with Booktrope Publishing.
She has a master’s degree in journalism from Syracuse University and a bachelor’s degree in English-Lit from Nazareth College of Rochester. K.M. lives in Upstate New York’s Finger Lakes region with her husband and her extremely energetic little boy. Fractured Dream is her first novel.
Where you can find her online:
Twitter | Facebook | Website
As a girl, K.M. always wished she’d suddenly come into magical powers or cross over into a Faerie circle.
Although that has yet to happen, she instead lives vicariously through the characters she creates in writing fantasy and delving into the paranormal.
When K.M. is not busy writing her next novel, she is the editor-in-chief of a blog covering the media industry, as well as an editor with Booktrope Publishing.
She has a master’s degree in journalism from Syracuse University and a bachelor’s degree in English-Lit from Nazareth College of Rochester. K.M. lives in Upstate New York’s Finger Lakes region with her husband and her extremely energetic little boy. Fractured Dream is her first novel.
Where you can find her online:
Twitter | Facebook | Website
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