#tales of the magic land

[rabid-orannge]

on his way to commit murder

There's an upcoming Wizard of Emerald City live action movie. And honestly, my expectations are lower than the bottom of lake Baikal. The Lumberjack and Strasheela costumes look great, but that's about it. I'm really jaded after seeing glimpses of the other "reboots" of old animated classics (like The Flying Ship, Domovyonok Kuzya and Bremen Town's Musicians) and the state of modern russian film industry in general, so I expect this movie to be mediocre at best or downright suck at worst. I will be REALLY surprised if it turns out better than my expectations

this is a shot from the trailer and it looks so goofy, almost like a meme template

I refuse to pay even a single cent to see the movie when it comes out, i would rather pirate it to watch it in the comfort of my home and poke fun at some things with my sis.

Yeah, I'm totally pirating that film.

[witchesoz]

What’s the deal with Oz in Russia?

What’s the deal with Oz in Russia?

When L. Frank Baum created “The Wizard of Oz” in 1900, his wish was to create an “American fairytale”. And he certainly did – the Oz franchise became part of America’s mainstream culture, a beacon of American fiction, several landmarks in the United-States history.

It had such a huge success it ended up reaching Europe and Asia. And… one day it was bound to touch Russia. Except that, if you recall your history lessons, for the most of the 20th century, Russia and America were deadly enemies, the two megapowers that tried to invade the world and destroy each other. You can imagine that when Oz hit Russia, things were bound to be… interesting.

Interesting as in: Oz doesn’t exist in Russia. And yet it does.

In the 1930s, back when Russia was still the young Soviet Union, an English-speaking author named Alexander Volkov was searching a book to translate as a hobby. He found Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” and loved it. Except he didn’t just translate it into Russian – he also adapted it to the Soviet culture, changed a few elements he didn’t particularly liked, added new adventures, renamed every character and location… And then published this very loose “translation” under the name “The Wizard of the Emerald City” in 1939.

This was a HUGE success in Soviet Union, and all of it was attributed to Volkov. Indeed, people rarely knew of Baum and his Oz series, and not all the editions of the book mentioned that it was a translation. Let’s also not forget that, since copyright rights did not exist at the time, it was all done without the knowledge or approval of the owners of the Oz name.

The book had such a huge success that Volkov wrote several sequels, at first loosely based on the sequels written by Baum, but that as time passed by became more and more their own thing, until there was no resemblance whatsoever. Volkov wrote five sequels to his original book, the last one written in 1975 (though it was published in 1982). They formed what is known as “Tales of the Magic Land”, Magic Land being the Russian equivalent of Oz.

This series became hugely popular in the Soviet Union/Russia. It got adapted into animated movies and live-action movies. Its popularity spread to all the countries forming the “Eastern World” in the Cold War: it was popular in Syria, in China, and in East Germany. So popular that… well, for the longest of times people did not realize that the series they worshipped was a copyright infringement of Oz. In fact, in those same countries, the Oz books and works are less known than the Tales of the Magic Land – in some, the Oz books are even not known at all, readers only heard of the Tales of the Magic Land. In fact, the modern webcomic “Black Brick Road of Oz” was assumed by many to be an adaptation of the Oz books, when in fact it was primarily an adaptation of the Tales of the Magic Land, with Oz as a secondary influence.

Now here’s where things get interesting. Tales of the Magic Land got the same fate as the Oz books in America – it was so popular that, despite the death of the author, the stories went on.

A man named Yuri Kuznetzov took on the series, and wrote five Magic Land books between 1992 and 2003. Then, another man named Sergei Sukhinov wrote his own Magic Land books – except that he started back at the original book, “The Wizard of the Emerald City”, and ignored all further sequels. This is how he created his ten-books series of “Emerald City”, between 1997 and 2004. Sukhinov’s sequels have been described as “Oz meets Tolkien”, indeed his goal was to expand the world of the Magic Land into a more complex and detailed world, and he put together a huge fight between good and evil, with as a main villain the evil warlock Pakir.

Sergei Sukhinov then went on with a second series, “Fairy Tales of the Emerald City”, a series of nine books (all published in the year 2000) that explores the childhood of the characters presented in the “Emerald City” series ; and even added in 2001 a prequel to the whole thing, called “Goodwin the Great and Terrible”, exploring the arrival of Goodwin (the Wizard’s equivalent) to Magic Land.

Even more authors made minor contributions to the Russian franchise, such as Sergei Zaitsev with his “The Iron Woodman and Ellie”, Lazar Steinmetz (two books) or Liza Adams (again, two books).

If you want to see some adaptations of this series (and I am not counting the few video games which were created), you can check: the animated mini-series “Adventures in the Emerald City” (1999-2000) ; the 2017 computer-animated movie “Urfin Jus and his Wooden Soldiers”, or some of the live-action adaptations (there was one in 1973, and one in 1994 if I am not incorrect).

AND THAT BEING SAID…

There is one more string of sequels I did not mention, and this is where the story becomes crazy.

“Nikolai Bachnow” (a pseudonym for the couple formed by writer Klaus Moeckel and his wife Aljonna) wrote a series of eight books between 1996 and 2003, sequels to the Magic Land series… IN GERMAN! Because you see, while Aljonna Moeckel was Russian, Klaus was German. So yes, you have this Germany-only set of sequels of the Russian series.

It is so strange to think that Germany knows more of Oz in the West, more of the Magic Land in the East. It must result in some intense fandom wars…

- - - -

Just when you thought Oz was complicated enough... LET US INTRODUCED RUSSIAN OZ!

[nevertoomanyspiders]

have a hefty boy stuft with straw.

this design is an amalgamation based on a number of adapted versions of the Scarecrow from the Magic Land series, primarily animated versions and Leonid Vladimirsky's illustrations.

[witchesoz]

This is not actually “The Wizard of Oz”. It is rather the first volume of “Tales from Magic Land” by Volkov - which is what happened when The Wizard of Oz not only got translated in Russian, but also rewritten in several parts, with entirely new chapters added, and published under Volkov’s name before said translator/rewriter added sequels of his own entire invention, developing a canon very different from the one of the American Oz.

WIZARD OF OZ illustrations by Leonid Vladimirsky. 1959.

[toyastales]

“Love me like the moon intended, all the way through the darkness.” —A.J. Lawless

[radicalreliablerandomness]

Podcast Rec Masterpost

I've been asked a couple times for podcast recommendations so I thought I'd post a compilation of some shows and a bit of info about them. Most shows I talk about are tagged below (I ran out of tags) so you can look through fan content as well if you're not one to care about spoilers. My asks are still open for personalized recs if you send me some others that you've listened to just because I love you, yes that's right! You. The person reading this right now!

Here goes!

Dungeons And Daddies *not a BDSM podcast

This show is a dnd actual play podcast. The first season is about four dads from our world lost in the Forgotten Realms in search of their lost sons. It’s a comedy but as with all comedies, you will cry by the end of it. It's super easy to get into with great chemistry between all the cast players and the dm, no prior knowledge of dnd is necessary. They do invoke slight horror sometimes so do keep an eye out for content warnings. Season 1 has 68.5 episodes along with bonus content and a mini campaign in between seasons 1 and 2. Season 2 is currently ongoing. Transcripts available.

The Bright Sessions

This is a science fiction podcast. The premise is a collection of clinical recordings of superpowered people's therapy sessions. The plot gets more interesting and convoluted as you get further in. Incredible voice acting filled with emotion. Does have some heavier discussions so be on the lookout for content warnings. It has 7 seasons (the last two are technically not part of the first five seasons' plot) and is completed. Transcripts available.

Hello From the Hallowoods

A post-apocalyptic fiction podcast. A beautifully written and preformed podcast that explores identity, religion, and other themes in vignettes throughout this haunted world narrated by an omniscient being. Some heavier topics are included so check the content warning before each episode. Seasons 1 and 2 are completed and season 3 will be done soon. Transcripts available.

The Magnus Archives

A horror fiction podcast. A well written chronological story told through anthology which seem to be tape recordings from a paranormal investigation institute. Incredible writing and actors that really bring it to life. This is horror so make sure to check the content warnings. The show is completed at 5 seasons. Transcripts available.

Neighbourly

Another horror fiction podcast! An interesting look into all the houses on Little Street and their peculiarities. Some more peculiar than others. The podcast is absolutely delightful with a horribly fun narrator. I would suggest checking the content warnings as some episodes are more intense than others. The show has 2 completed seasons. Transcripts available.

The Fall of the House of Sunshine

A musical mystery fiction podcast. The first season is about an investigation on the murder of a beloved host of a children's tooth-themed show. That's all I can say without spoilers. There are 3 incredible seasons along with short stories in between each season. Transcripts available until halfway through season 2.

Welcome to Nightvale

Possibly the most well known science fiction podcast, it really speaks for itself but I'll do my spiel anyways. Recorded as snippets of a daily radio broadcast, the show details the weird goings on in this strange desert town of Nightvale. Narrated almost completely by the radio host's smooth voice. It's ongoing and is currently sitting at 233 episodes. Transcripts available.

The Two Princes

A fictional queer romance podcast. It takes place in that special part of fiction that always starts with "once upon a time," it feels like a story book almost. The show is based around two boys meeting in the woods. Spoiler alert: they fall in love. It's just a cute feel good show. The podcast is complete at 3 seasons. Spotify auto-generated transcripts available.

What's the Frequency?

A self described psychedelic noir podcast. It's an absolute blast even if it is a bit hard to follow. Takes place in the 1940s in LA when all radio broadcasts were turned to static. You kind of just have to go with it until you get to the end. Completed at 12 episodes. Transcripts available.

Story Break

A writer's room podcast. The basic concept behind Story Break is 3 Hollywood writers in a room together take a prompt and try to make a story for it in an hour. There are many laughs in this podcast and just all around good humor and vibes. The show is complete at 169 episodes plus two full movie scripts. No transcript.

Who Killed Avril Lavigne

A science fiction podcast. It's about a time traveling pop punk loser and that's all you need to know. It's a podmusical so you'll be getting great nostalgic pop punk type songs along with crying from laughing so hard. Completed at 8 episodes. No transcript.

The Behemoth

A fiction podcast. Based around an unexplainable creature emerging from the ocean and how the world, and one girl in particular, deal with this phenomenon. It is pretty short with the longest episode being about 12 minutes. Completed at 20 episodes. No transcript.

Rude Tales of Magic

A dnd actual play podcast. It is mainly focused on the actual roleplay and story telling as opposed to the actual play. A handful of college students from Polaris University fuck the world up by completing a hazing ritual which in this case is a supposedly demon summoning. Obviously now they need to fix the world. Currently 64 episodes and ongoing. No transcript.

Midnight Burger

A very well written fiction podcast. It’s about a time/space traveling diner where the employees try to help solve a problem every place they land. Think Doctor Who adjacent vibes but with more drama. There is an overarching plot that comes together so look out for that. It has incredible characters that are really nicely fleshed out. You’ll somehow like and hate all of them as much as possible in the best way. Currently has 29 episodes of the main feed and a 9 episode mini-series. Transcript available.

Monstrous Agonies

A fiction podcast. It’s an radio advice segment on a station for “liminal Britain” aka the monstrous world to put it plainly. It’s really chill and comforting. There’s very good advice there and the intermittent ad reads will have you giggling to yourself. Episodes are on the shorter side, averaging about 15 minutes each. It does have some heavier discussions so make sure to check the content warnings. The show is completed at 111 episodes through 3 seasons. Transcripts available.

Desert Skies

A fiction podcast. The voice acting in this one is incredible, it’s the same person the whole time. The show as a whole is also just super well done. The premise is that when you die you show up on a highway and get to this astral pit stop. I’m not going to spoil it anymore you just have to experience it. There is an additional show, Desert Skies FM that's a buddy to this one. I recommend listening to both. Season 1 was completed at 12 episodes. Transcripts available.

Wooden Overcoats

A sitcom dramedy podcast. The show is about two siblings that run a funeral home on an island. It used to be the only one, it isn’t anymore. It has a wacky cast of characters and even wackier plot points. The dialogue can be a little hard to get used to at the beginning but once you get into it it flows easily. The show is completed at 4 seasons. Transcripts available.

Greater Boston

An audio drama podcast. It's set in Boston if you couldn't tell from the title and starts with the death of a man on a rollercoaster. It blends real life with some subtle (and at times not-so-subtle) fantasy elements. It's currently at 4 completed seasons. Transcript available.

Gay Future

A science fiction podcast. In a world where everyone is gay in the future we focus on this one straight kid. Following his journey to destroy the government who are making everyone gay. This is a satire by the way. 1 season completed at 6 episodes. No transcripts.

Death by Dying

A dark comedy podcast. The show follows an obituary writer while he does things that are totally under the jurisdiction of his job. A well written and preformed show. There are a lot of laughs and obviously some heartbreaks as well. Currently 1 completed season with season 2 sitting at 2 episodes for a bit now. Transcript available.

Not Another D&D Podcast

An actual play dnd podcast. This one's more mainstream than my other podcasts so I don't talk about it as much but that doesn't mean it's not incredible. The first campaign is about 3 adventurers off to save the world. Obviously. It can be a bit slow in the beginning but anything past the second half of the first season is incredible. There's humor, drama, love, and much more. The DM is also just incredible. 1 completed season, a couple mini campaigns, and the second season is currently at 43 episodes. No transcripts.

Forgive Me!

A fiction podcast. It starts based around vignettes of confessionals in this small town taken by a new father in the local church. An overarching plot is present but it's generally a feel good, sweet and simple show. They have 2 complete seasons with season 3 currently at 9 episodes. Transcripts available.

Real Housewives of D&D

An actual play dnd podcast. This show is based around the concept of a "Real Housewives..." type show but you don't need to know anything about those to listen to this. It's about 4 reality TV stars thrown into a magical fantasy world with no knowledge of how to get home. There's drama, excitement, danger, and lots more. The first season was just completed at 16 episodes. Transcripts available.

The Silt Verses

A horror fiction podcast. Two people who worship a banned god travel together up a river in a pilgrimage. There is incredible worldbuilding in this show along with acting and sound design. This is horror and a very good one at that so make sure you check content warnings. Season 1 and 2 are completed and season 3 is at 2 episodes so far. Transcripts available.

The Land Whale Murders

A comedy fiction podcast. It takes place in the year 1899 and is about a pair of friends? maybe not, that metaphorically explore the world they're living in. It is a commentary on the world we live in and the problems in it through a hilarious and wacky cast. There are currently 17 episodes between both seasons 1 and 2. Transcripts available.

Elaine's Cooking for the Soul

A post-apocalyptic cooking podcast. The show is about a dentist who makes her way through the fallout of an apocalypse while also making a cooking podcast. It does have depictions of violence, war, and dentistry so check out the content warnings. There are 2 completed seasons. No transcripts.

Fawx and Stallion

A mystery podcast. If you hate Sherlock Holmes you'll love this podcast. Also if you love Sherlock Holmes you'll love this podcast. It's based around the detectives who live across the street from Holmes at 224B Baker street. It's pretty goofy. Season 1 is completed. Transcripts available.

The Amelia Project

A fiction podcast. Follow the shenanigans of this death-faking organization as they take in new clients and hear their stories. It does develop an actual overarching plot later on but every second is fun. Seasons 1-4 have been completed and season 5 is in progress. Transcripts available.

A Voice From Darkness

A horror podcast. It's centered around a radio show hosted by Dr. Malcolm Ryder, Parapsychologist. He helps people who call into his show with supernatural problems, gives PSAs and warnings about strange happenings, and more. Season 1 is completed and season 2 is at 9 episodes. Transcripts available.

Station Arcadia

A dystopian fiction podcast. Formatted through a radio show, it tells the story of a world that's slowly dying. There are vignettes of different characters through different areas of the world. Season 1 is completed at 25 episodes. Transcripts available.

Margaret's Garden

A science fiction podcast. It has two plots running at the same time which keeps you on your toes but makes for an intriguing story line. In one plot line, two agents are sent to investigate the strange happenings of a weird little long abandoned town. Simultaneously, we hear from the past of that town as it catches up to the agents. Completed at 10 episodes. Transcripts available.

Camp Here & There

A horror comedy podcast. It's recorded as a set of daily announcements over a loudspeaker at a totally normal summer camp. The announcements are made by the camp nurse and he's also totally normal. I promise. Make sure to check in with the content warnings as some topics are a little mature or graphic. There are currently 34 episodes. Transcripts available.

Wayward Guide for the Untrained Eye

A companion horror podcast. This is actually a bit meta because it is the result of a youtube series. This show is the one the podcast hosts in the series release, it's definitely worth both the watch and the listen though. It's got werewolves and drama. Completed at 10 episodes of video and 10 of the podcast. No transcripts.

I am in Eskew

A horror podcast. It's about a man who's trapped in a city where the buildings always change and the rain never stops. There's a weird monotonous creeping horror in this show that just draws you in. Check for content warnings definitely. Completed at 30 episodes. Transcripts available.

Traveling Light

A comfy cozy fiction podcast. It follows The Traveller on their exploration through space, visiting alien planets and collecting stories to send back to their community. For supporters of the show, it almost functions as a choose-your-own-adventure with choices to vote on and listener submissions. It's made by the same people as Monstrous Agonies so if you enjoyed that, you'd enjoy this and vice versa. There are currently 16 episodes. Transcripts available.

Not yet described but still recommended:

Eeler’s Choice

The Secret of St Kilda

The Endless Ocean

The Department of Variance of Somewhere, Ohio

The Sword & The Stoner

World Gone Wrong: a fictional chat show about friendship at the end of the world

Travelling Light

Waterlogged

Brimstone Valley Mall

[marejadilla]

Annie Stegg Gerard, "Moon", oils on wooden panel.

[mtg-cards-hourly]

Tree of Tales

Artist: DXTR TCG Player Link Scryfall Link EDHREC Link

[chiistarri]

hi chat i want more mutuals again u should interact if u like stuff in the tags >_<// !!!

[colesstar]

CHRIS??? DOES THIS MEAN WHAT I THINK IT MEANS???????

[rabid-orannge]

it's supposed to be a texture for a stylized vinyl record cover for a video (that one instrumental i made back in february)

I went off on a tangent about the meta under the cut there, heehe oops

I was playing around with beepbox and accidentally made a custom instrument that I thought sounded a bit like if iron was a sound (idk how to explain it). At first I just made an absent-minded loop, but then I thought: hey! i like the melody, i should make an extended version! And since the Wizard of Emerald City was on my mind back then, i decided to make a musical tribute to one of my favorite characters - Iron Woodsman (or Tin Man, if we go by Baum's canon. It's confusing to have two of them, i know), since the sound of the instrument i made was associated with iron in my head.

The drums (cymbals??) ended up sounding like heartbeat in some parts, at least to me. It wasn't intentional, but i thought it fits nicely with the character this track is dedicated to.

Originally I planned to make an animated video to go with the music that was basically retelling the Tin Man's backstory and the events of the book, but i lost motivation halfway through storyboarding. The only part that was done is a single shot of him rusting solid in the woods with his axe raised under heavy rainfall that i originally posted somewhere around march on my old account (also, my sister said it looks like a legit illustration for a book). I miiiiight go back and redraw that picture since i improved a lot and changed up the design.

[noahhawthorneauthor]

July was a heck of a good reading month, and I've well and fallen into a historical romance hole. Both series by Allie Therin were *especially* good.

[nevertoomanyspiders]

Scarecrow making some friends.

[beyondtheseaofstars]

these are my Skylene and Tangerina designs!!

these two make me so happy y'all have no idea <33

[book--brackets]

Dragonkeeper Chronicles by Donita K. Paul (2004-2008)

When Kale, a slave girl, finds a dragon egg, she is given the unexpected opportunity to become a servant to Paladin. But on her way to The Hall, where she was to be trained, Kale runs into danger. Rescued by a small band of Paladin's servants, Kale is turned from her destination. 

Feeling afraid and unprepared, Kale embarks on a perilous quest to find the meech dragon egg stolen by the foul Wizard Risto. But their journey is threatened when a key member of the party is captured, leaving the remaining companions to find the Wizard Fenworth, attempt an impossible rescue, and recover the egg--whose true value they have not begun to suspect.

Clocktaur War by T. Kingfisher (2017-2018)

A paladin, an assassin, a forger, and a scholar ride out of town. It's not the start of a joke, but rather an espionage mission with deadly serious stakes. T. Kingfisher's new novel begins the tale of a murderous band of criminals (and a scholar), thrown together in an attempt to unravel the secret of the Clockwork Boys, mechanical soldiers from a neighboring kingdom that promise ruin to the Dowager's city.

If they succeed, rewards and pardons await, but that requires a long journey through enemy territory, directly into the capital. It also requires them to refrain from killing each other along the way At turns darkly comic and touching, Clockwork Boys puts together a broken group of people trying to make the most of the rest of their lives as they drive forward on their suicide mission.

The Deed of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon (1988-1989)

Paksenarrion — Paks for short — is somebody special. She knows it, even if nobody else does yet. No way will she follow her father's orders to marry the pig farmer down the road. She's off to join the army, even if it means she can never see her family again.

And so her adventure begins... the adventure that transforms her into a hero remembered in songs, chosen by the gods to restore a lost ruler to his throne.

Here is her tale as she lived it.

Paks is trained as a mercenary, blooded, and introduced to the life of a soldier . . . and to the followers of Gird, the soldier's god.

Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica by James A. Owen (2006-2016)

An unusual murder brings together three strangers, John, Jack, and Charles, on a rainy night in London during the first World War. An eccentric little man called Bert tells them that they are now the caretakers of the Imaginarium Geographica -- an atlas of all the lands that have ever existed in myth and legend, fable and fairy tale. These lands, Bert claims, can be traveled to in his ship the Indigo Dragon, one of only seven vessels that is able to cross the Frontier between worlds into the Archipelago of Dreams.

Pursued by strange and terrifying creatures, the companions flee London aboard the Dragonship. Traveling to the very realm of the imagination itself, they must learn to overcome their fears and trust in one another if they are to defeat the dark forces that threaten the destiny of two worlds. And in the process, they will share a great adventure filled with clues that lead readers to the surprise revelation of the legendary storytellers these men will one day become.

Dragon Jousters by Mercedes Lackey (2003-2006)

The first book in this thrilling new series introduces us to a young slave who dreams of becoming a jouster-one of the few warriors who can actually ride a flying dragon. And so, in secret, he begins to raise his own dragon...

Frontier Magic by Patricia C. Wrede (2009-2012)

Eff was born a thirteenth child. Her twin brother, Lan, is the seventh son of a seventh son. This means he's supposed to possess amazing talent -- and she's supposed to bring only bad things to her family and her town. Undeterred, her family moves to the frontier, where her father will be a professor of magic at a school perilously close to the magical divide that separates settlers from the beasts of the wild.

In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan (2017)

The Borderlands aren’t like anywhere else. Don’t try to smuggle a phone or any other piece of technology over the wall that marks the Border ― unless you enjoy a fireworks display in your backpack. (Ballpoint pens are okay.) There are elves, harpies, and ― best of all as far as Elliot is concerned ― mermaids.  "Serene," said Serene. "My full name is Serene-Heart-in-the-Chaos-of-Battle." Elliot? Who’s Elliot? Elliot is thirteen years old. He’s smart and just a tiny bit obnoxious. Sometimes more than a tiny bit. When his class goes on a field trip and he can see a wall that no one else can see, he is given the chance to go to school in the Borderlands. It turns out that on the other side of the wall, classes involve a lot more weaponry and fitness training and fewer mermaids than he expected. On the other hand, there’s Serene-Heart-in-the-Chaos-of-Battle, an elven warrior who is more beautiful than anyone Elliot has ever seen, and then there’s her human friend Luke: sunny, blond, and annoyingly likeable. There are lots of interesting books. There’s even the chance Elliot might be able to change the world. In Other Lands is the exhilarating new book from beloved and bestselling author Sarah Rees Brennan. It’s a novel about surviving four years in the most unusual of schools, about friendship, falling in love, diplomacy, and finding your own place in the world ― even if it means giving up your phone.

Iron Butterfly by Chanda Hahn (2012-2014)

Imprisoned, starved and left with no memories, Thalia awakens to find herself at the mercy of an evil cult known as the Septori. Their leader has chosen Thalia as the test subject for a torture device of untold power, designed to change and twist her into something that is neither human nor Denai.

Escaping, Thalia finds an unwilling warrior to protect her and an unlikely Denai to befriend her. After finding a home at the Citadel as a servant, Thalia’s worst nightmare comes to life and she begins to show signs of power. Scared and unable to control her gifts, she tries to hide her past to fit in among the Denai. But the Septori want their latest test subject back and will stop at nothing to retrieve her, dead or alive.

Old Magic by Marianna Curley (2000)

Jarrod Thornton is mesmerizing, but Kate Warren doesn’t know why.

Jarrod is the clumsy new boy at school that Kate can’t take her eyes off, and it’s not just because he has amazing eyes, but because she senses something different about him, and when he inadvertently blows up the classroom, she knows exactly what it is. He has powers like her, except he doesn’t know it and Kate sets out to show him. On their journey of discovery Kate learns Jarrod has an ancient curse on his family that will keep hurting his little brother and parents if they don’t do something to remove it.

Faerie Tale by Raymond E. Feist (1988)

Successful screenwriter Phil Hastings decides to move his family from sunny California to a ramshackle farmhouse in New York State. The idea is to take some time out, relax and pick up the threads of his career as a novelist. Good plan, bad choice. The place they choose is surrounded by ancient woodland. The house they choose is the centrepoint of a centuries-old evil intent on making its presence felt to intruders.

[bloomenvogel]

"No no, dont keep burning on me!"

The boy desperately begged to the inanimate dolls.

"Ah!" The flames grew worse on the doll's faces, ruining the delicate painting of its lips and eyes. The flames turned blue and Xanthous couldnt believe his eyes.

What have you done?