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Literary Fiction
Historical Fiction
Short Stories
Essays
Poetry & Novels in Verse
Thrillers
Romance
Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Speculative, Alt. History
Biography/Memoir
History, Current Affairs and Religion
Literary Fiction
Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Speculative, Alt. History
Graphic Novels
Biography/Memoir
History, Current Affairs and Religion
| Critics: |
Welcome to Foxfire.
The rules here are simple:
Don't look in the trees.
Don't whistle in the woods at night.
Don't answer if you hear your
name called.
And remember ... everything wants.
Verity Vox is a witch-in-training who has never met a problem her spells can't solve. But when a cryptic plea for help sends her to the forgotten coal mining town of Foxfire, she soon learns even magic has its limits.
Verity discovers a curse was laid years ago by a traveling magician who vanished into the ancient Appalachian hills to seek greater power. Crops won't grow. Bellies go hungry. Even treasured possessions fall apart. What's worse, people have gone missing amidst rumors that they've sought out the magician who is lying in wait for those foolish or desperate enough to strike a deal with him.
The witch must break the curse, find a missing girl, and solve the mystery of what's really under the mountain before the town falls forever into the clutches of the monster lurking in the hills.
"Podcaster Martin, making his YA debut, blends supernatural fare with mundane, cozy elements into a warmly engaging tale about finding one's place in the world. The sprawling Appalachian setting and nature-infused witchcraft give the narrative a timeless, folkloric feel." ―Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Martin skillfully blends the cozy magic of healing and mending [...] [and his] evocative, painterly descriptions bring it all to life [...]. Beneath it all is poignant subtext about poverty, neglect, the abuse of power, and the prison of conformity―but at heart, it's the witchy tale of home, belonging, and healing (with a quiet but well-earned queer romance) that will beguile readers." ―Booklist (starred review)
"Appalachian readers will instantly recognize home." ―Kirkus Reviews
"Beautifully written, quizzical, and sharp, Don Martin's Verity, brings the whimsy of witches to the vibrant tapestry of real American History. The gift of a brand new American Tall Tale, in this urgent time when we need it most." ―K. Ancrum, author of Icarus and The Corruption of Hollis Brown
"Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire is quite simply magical! A book that can stand beside (or fly by broomstick next to) the classics and will be included as one in no time." ―Jason June, New York Times bestselling author of Out of the Blue and The Spells We Cast
Don Martin was born in Appalachia and now lives with his husband on a horse ranch outside of Chicago, where he produces his inquisitive interview podcast, Head On Fire. Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire is his debut novel.
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