by msk | May 14, 2025 | Analysis
Mermaids have enchanted human imagination for millennia. These mysterious half-human, half-fish beings appear in folklore across the globe. Sometimes benevolent, sometimes deadly, mermaids embody our deepest fears and desires about the unknown depths of the sea. From...
by msk | May 6, 2025 | Analysis, Harry Potter
When most of us think of magical academies, it’s almost impossible not to picture Hogwarts. J.K. Rowling’s iconic school for witchcraft and wizardry from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is the gold standard, enchanting readers worldwide with its...
by msk | Apr 6, 2025 | Uncategorized
Let’s talk elves. Not the North Pole kind (that could be a whole other article, but best saved for Christmas). I’m talking about the tall, ethereal, flawless beings that strolled into pop culture via J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. They’ve since been...
by msk | Dec 20, 2024 | Harry Potter
You’ve probably dreamt of casting a Patronus charm at least once…I know I have. There’s something wonderful about the idea of your inner self taking the form of a silvery, protective creature. But have you ever stopped to wonder what your Patronus says about...
by msk | Nov 28, 2024 | Uncategorized
NaNoWriMo—aka National Novel Writing Month—is a crazy, exhilarating, caffeine-fueled sprint where writers worldwide attempt to churn out 50,000 words of a novel in just 30 days. This is my fourth (or maybe fifth?) time participating, and let me tell you, every single...
by msk | Nov 9, 2024 | Uncategorized
Ever wondered where all the incredible worlds in YA fantasy come from? Yup, some authors might spend years dreaming up entirely new realms, but plenty of times, the most powerful inspiration comes straight from our world. From ancient legends to hidden, forgotten...
by msk | Aug 6, 2024 | Uncategorized
Have you ever gotten so lost in a book that you wished you could dive in and make decisions alongside the characters? That’s the magic of interactive storytelling in Young Adult fiction, where readers have the power to influence the outcome of the narrative....
by msk | Jul 22, 2024 | Uncategorized
Fairytale retellings in YA literature have always been one of my favorites, and it’s cool to see how they’ve grown with cultural shifts and emerging themes. Today I’ll dive into some trends likely to shape these popular stories’ future. One of...
by msk | Jul 5, 2024 | Uncategorized
Environmental Themes in Fantasy Fantasy has a knack for making us see the world in a different light. One of the most beautiful aspects of fantasy is how it highlights the sacredness of nature. Take Watership Down by Richard Adams, for instance. It’s not just a...
by msk | Apr 17, 2024 | Uncategorized
Dragons. These mythical creatures have long soared through the pages of young adult (YA) literature, their scales shimmering with tales of bravery, wisdom, and the eternal struggle between good and evil. But beyond their fire-breathing exterior lies a deeper...
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