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Author Archives: cathyhird
Drawing on Arthurian Legends
In the afterward to the twentieth anniversary edition of his Fionavar trilogy, Guy Gavriel Kay wrote, “I also set myself the task, quixotic or otherwise, of trying to shape a narrative large enough that the figures of the Arthurian triangle could … Continue reading
Posted in Arthurian Legends, Shattered: When Winds Blast, YA contemporary fantasy
Tagged Arthurian legend in modern times, Arthurian Legends, Cathy Hird, Fantasy novel, Guinevere, King Arthur, Riven: When Storms Collide, Shattered: When Winds Blast, YA fantasy
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The cost of revenge
My novel, Riven: When Storms Collide, begins with the elf Tinachore returning to Ceridwen the cup that had been stolen from her. In the years it was lost, her anger festered. Now it will erupt. This is how the prologue … Continue reading
Posted in Arthurian Legends, Riven: When Storms Collide, YA contemporary fantasy
Tagged Arthurian legend in modern times, Arthurian Legends, Celtic mythology, Contemporary Fantasy, Fantasy drawing of Celtic mythology, King Arthur, Riven: When Storms Collide
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Review of A Wild and Unremarkable Thing
The last while I have taken advantage of the opportunity to review the work of other YA fantasy writers offered through YA Bound. This gives me a chance to keep up with the genre I write novels in, and I … Continue reading
Posted in Book Review
Tagged A Wild and Unremarkable Thing, Book Review, dragons, Jean Castleberry, YA fantasy
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Layers
As we drove to Ottawa last week, crossing that finger of the Canadian Shield that reaches down toward Kingston, we passed through deep rock cuts. Those who carved the route for the highway opened the rock so we can see … Continue reading
Review of Day Moon by Brett Armstrong
In a day when all books are being entered into a centralized database and then destroyed, Elliot’s grandfather leaves him a copy of Shakespeare’s complete works. When he shares it with the girl he has a crush on, tension enters … Continue reading
Posted in Book Review, Day Moon
Tagged Book Review, Brett Armstrong, Clean Words Publishing, Day Moon, Dystopia, YA Bound Book Tours, YA fantasy
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Review of The West Wood by Suzy Vadori
As part of Suzy Vadori’s Blog tour with YA Bound, I offer this review of her new book The West Wood. Boarding school, with its assorted collection of wealthy kids, has the same tensions as any high school, and Vadori … Continue reading
Posted in Book Review
Tagged Book Review, Suzy Vadori, The West Wood, YA Bound, YA fantasy
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Shadows
In the bright sun and dry air of Burkina Faso, shadows are sharp. Looking down, I saw clear images of what was between the sun and the ground. This was particularly striking when we visited a modern sculpture garden. The stone … Continue reading
Posted in Fractured: When Shadows Arise,, Reflections
Tagged Cathy Hird, Fractured: When Shadows Arise,, shadows, travel
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Fractured
In the area where I live, bedrock is fractured limestone. This has the upside of creating amazing escarpment cliffs and the downside of allowing water to flow unfiltered down into the aquafers. Care with what we put into the water … Continue reading
Posted in Fractured
Tagged Alchemy, Celtic mythology, fractured bedrock, YA fantasy
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The heroine retreats
When writing a sequel, a useful trope is a main character who retreats from the growth that came in the first adventure. In Before the New Moon Rises, Thalassai leaves the hard work to return to the luxuries of palace … Continue reading
Posted in Before the New Moon Rises
Tagged Before the New Moon Rises, heroine, princess, story trope
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