Release date: November 16, 2017
Subgenre: Middle Grade Fantasy, Young Adult Fantasy
About The Flying Glass:
Marnie Speck arrives at her new foster home in Downfell, Northern
England with her crusty social worker, Miss Baxter. Marnie guards a
rose-covered case with hidden secrets and the only link to her past and
future. A telescope, old glass and a strange librarian unleash the
potential of a new and extraordinary life far away at the Fanglewick
School of Magic in the Old World. But first Marnie must find a way to
cross the demonic halo like aspiring young wizards, witches and elves
have for centuries.
In a strange but beautiful landscape inhabited by haughty wizards, ratbag witches and ambitious elves, Marnie fights for a place in Fanglewick, where magic begins and ends. The school sits on the repository of magic and flows through Shining Lake and beyond to the multiverse. Over time, Fanglewick has lured heroes, kings, queens and dark beasts. Wizards, goblins and their dragon-riding armies have waged terrible wars to possess and control its treasure. For now there is peace, yet there are rumblings in the Imporium where scheming wizards and elves work in the magical government and a new presence is lurking in the forests and grounds of Fanglewick.
In a strange but beautiful landscape inhabited by haughty wizards, ratbag witches and ambitious elves, Marnie fights for a place in Fanglewick, where magic begins and ends. The school sits on the repository of magic and flows through Shining Lake and beyond to the multiverse. Over time, Fanglewick has lured heroes, kings, queens and dark beasts. Wizards, goblins and their dragon-riding armies have waged terrible wars to possess and control its treasure. For now there is peace, yet there are rumblings in the Imporium where scheming wizards and elves work in the magical government and a new presence is lurking in the forests and grounds of Fanglewick.
Excerpt:
The cloud room
Marnie Speck looked towards the heavens for a sign but saw instead
through a flurry of snowflakes, the eagle beak and whiskery chin of
her social worker, Miss Irma Baxter. She urged Marnie to hurry as
they strode along the greasy city streets of Downfell against the
tide of weary workers rushing home in the wintry gloom. Traffic
fumes and city grime left the air thick and heavy, filling Marnie’s
lungs. She studied the passing faces, checking compulsively as she
always did, but a flicker of light, luminescent and purple, over
the buildings to her right distracted her. The strange light
fingered over rooftops. Pulsating clouds parted for a few moments
while the full moon bulged from the night sky.
‘What was that? Did you see the flash?’
‘Stop your chattering.’ Miss Baxter hugged her coat to her chest.
‘Hurry up.’
‘But the purple light ... didn’t you see it?’
Miss Baxter’s lips drew taut over her dull teeth. ‘In my day, we
never contradicted our elders.’
Marnie knew Miss Baxter was thinking of supper and her warm bed and
nothing would dissuade her from her mission. She could barely keep
up with her stout guardian as she marched with determination, her
heels clicking like frenzied chisels on the pavement, grinding the
snow to slush.
Monitoring the oncoming walkers, Marnie was astounded to see how
strange some of them seemed. Most were ordinary Downfellians, weary
and bent, vacant eyes glued to their feet, urged on by the promise
of families, dinner and sleep. Amongst the tide, Marnie spotted the
odd: a smiling woman with silver eyes, the weird boy with sharp
teeth and dreadlocks and the old man in a grey cloak who chuckled
at the evening sky. Marnie didn’t miss the scurry of white cats
fleeing over the rooftops or the shimmer of iridescent blue
butterflies skimming over the snow. Downfell was magnificent and
thrilled her to the tips of her frozen fingers and toes.
When they reached the door of number three Hirst Street, Marnie’s
anticipation grew at the sight of warmly lit windows and sound of
human laughter inside the mansion. Miss Baxter climbed to the top
step and adjusted her sensible tweed coat before knocking
impatiently. Marnie shivered as the snow swirled around her skinny
ankles and up her flimsy dress. Slipping on the step, she fell
forwards. To avoid smashing her nose, she clutched at the prickly
legs of Miss Baxter, who recoiled, unaccustomed to human contact
let alone the simple touch of a young girl.
‘Pull yourself together,’ Miss Baxter said. ‘No one likes a needy
child.’
Marnie ducked her head and withdrew her hands. When the door
finally opened, she smiled at the rush of warmth and waft of
cinnamon.
‘Good evening, Mrs Arnold. I have another girl,’ said Miss Baxter
using her nice voice.
Amazon
About E.M. Cooper:
E.M. Cooper is an Australian author who enjoys writing fantasy for
readers from middle grade and up. She has written the five
book fantasy series, Xavier and a paranormal fantasy series for older readers under another
pen name.
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