Yay, it's so nice to be here on Magic Thursday, not just because I love Thursdays (though I do) but also because I love magic. For as long as I can remember, I've believed that magic is real. The weird thing is that when pressed, I have no answer as to why I believe in something that exists beyond science and explanation, I just do.
Perhaps it's because I grew up on a steady diet of Tolkien, Raymond E Fiest, Anne McCaffrey, Marion Zimmer Bradley and Ursula LeGuin? Or maybe it's because sometimes the real world seems unfair and cruel and the idea of magic existing just makes me feel better. Or, there is a slim chance that I believe in it because I secretly want to wake up one day with some kind of special power (I'm thinking Karma God would be kinda cool!)
But whatever the reason, all I know is that regardless of what boring proof people try and show me, I will always believe that there is something extra in this world!
And because it wouldn't be Magic Thursday without a giveaway, I'm going to put a copy of my upcoming YA novel, Fairy Bad Day up for grabs. To be in with a chance to win, all you need to do is tell me what kind of magical powers that you would secretly like to have (and why).
Fairy Bad Day is my third published novel and it comes out in the US on the 9th of June and in Aust/NZ on the 27th of June. And while there isn't much magic in this book, there are a lot of skittles, not to mention invisible fairies, pointy swords and a cute hero on crutches!
Here is a small blurb about it and you can find more over at my website.
While most students at Burtonwood Academy get to kill demons and goblins, fifteen-year-old Emma gets to rid the world of little annoying fairies with glittery wings and a hipster fashion sense. She was destined to be a dragon slayer, but cute and charming Curtis stole her spot. Then she sees a giant killer fairy - and it's invisible to everyone but her! If Emma has any chance of stopping this evil fairy, she's going to need help. Unfortunately, the only person who can help is Curtis. And now, not only has he stolen her dragon-slayer spot, but maybe her heart as well! Why does she think it's going to be a fairy bad day?
"The exciting plot, humor throughout—often provided by the little fairies—and relatively innocent romance between characters will grab readers and keep them involved. " Kirkus Reviews
"In a fun mashup of the modern and the magical, Ashby (Zombie Queen of Newbury High) creates nicely developed characters and supports them with strong plotting and zippy writing. Laced with humor, danger, and romance, this book will have readers smiling all the way to the last page." Publisher's Weekly
Amanda Ashby
Fairy Bad Day ~ Puffin 9th of June 2011
Sophie's Mixed-Up Magic #1 Wishful Thinking ~ Puffin Summer 2012
Sophie's Mixed-Up Magic #2 In a Bind ~ Puffin TBA
Sophie's Mixed-Up Magic #3 Out of Sight ~ Puffin TBA
Demonosity ~ Puffin Spring 2013
I loved the title "Fairy Bad Day" the first time I heard it and it still ranks as one of my favourites. Book sounds good, too ;)
ReplyDeleteNow, magical powers...hmm... someone once said "able to eat all the chocolate I want and not put on weight". Now that sounds good, but there are other magical powers I'd like, such as snap fingers and house is clean, turn an annoying politician into a toad, ... I know ... I'd like the power of teleportation. I get travel sick, so teleportation would be perfect -- save me money, too!
Great post, Amanda. I love the idea of magic existing, too. I think Jenny has hit the nail on the head with things I would magic for - great stuff, Jenny. So not to be a copy cat, I'd love a time stopper - you know to get heaps of reading and writing done, and that pesky housework, though combining time stopping with a house chores ability would be great.
ReplyDeleteAnd wouldn't it be great to help others by snapping fingers. Headache? Gone. No parking at the shops? No problem, here's one. No hunger, no poverty. Cool, eh?
Again, congrats on the upcoming release of the very cool sounding, Fairy Bad Day.
Eleni, I'd be happy to share those powers with you :) Watch out irritating politicians!!
ReplyDeleteJenny - I feel that we have been separated at birth since I have long wanted that chocolate ability! All the other things would be pretty cool as well - especially teleportation! And thanks for the title love (I love it as well and actually built the entire story around it!!)
ReplyDeleteEleni - oh, time stopping would be awesome - especially considering all the books in the TBR pile. I'd actually like to snap my fingers and give you a housecleaning fairy for the day since you seem to work so hard helping everyone else!!!!
Oh I'd love to be able to wiggle my nose like Samantha from bewitched and have all my Housework done, and especially that wiggle to magically perfect makeup and fresh clothes!
ReplyDeleteTime stopping sounds great too, but I can have only one then I'd love this very simple one.
The ability to heat up liquid so I never end up with a cold cup of tea or coffee!!
JJ - I was obsessed with Bewtiched and spent far too much time practicing my nose wriggling! Of course it would've been better if I could've had a sound effects guy walking around behind making the noise!
ReplyDeleteYes, Fairy Bad Day is such an awesome title!
ReplyDeleteHmmm, I'd like to have a magical power that enabled me to grow plants anywhere I liked. Like in a desolate parking-lot, grow a nice tree to park under - or create a forest in a neglected field. That would be nice and good for the environment too!
Nicola - that is such a cool wish! I remember seeing an article on gorilla gardeners who go and randomly scatter seeds and plant things in vacant lots to improve urban spaces and I was very impressed!!!
ReplyDeleteHey Amanda, just popping by to say huge congratulations on the upcoming release of Fairy Bad Day! Not long to wait now and I'm soo looking forward to holding a copy of that gorgeous shiny book in my hands!!! Go Emma and Curtis!!!
ReplyDeleteChristina - yes, perhaps the pretty cover will help you forget just how many times you read the darn thing!
ReplyDeleteOh cool, Amanda. The house will be clean....
ReplyDeleteAnd Jenny, thanks for sharing :)
WOW, magical powers, let's see, the house would alway be clean and tidy and the family watered and fed, the pool and garden pristine, bills and groceries, done, and yes of course vacations overseas would have to be also included as my family have never even had vacation at all, and maybe those dessert oasis's could become forests and oil tanker's no longer have accidents of any kind and finally THERE WILL BE NO MORE TERRORIST"S period, but i'm getting way too far ahead of myself, magical powers would be fantastic because I could finally have a little time to myself, thank goodness.
ReplyDeleteDonna - hahaha - why do I think that you've considered this before! And yes, I'm so with you on the time to yourself thing!!!
ReplyDeleteI love Magic too. FAIRY BAD DAY looks wonderful.
ReplyDeletemarypres@gmail.com
Great title. Looking forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteI think the ability to teleport would be awesome. All the time saved on traveling to and from would definitely add up to more reading and relaxing time.
bacchus76 at myself dot com
I've always believed in magic as well. That belief fueled the stories I told before I could even write. And my secret magic wish has always been the same: the power to heal. As a little girl I dreamed of being the wandering healer with my remedies for all sorts of ailments. I can't say when the wish came or why, but it's been there even in my earliest memories.
ReplyDelete