How would you categorize this story?
A lore-rich, slow-buildup, alt-universe urban fantasy about kids going to a magic school. Even though the MCs are children, I didn’t write this as a kids’ series. It’s an exploration of the idea of a chosen child through the lens of an adult writer. We deal with multiple storylines, across both the MCs and the side characters attempting to help or hinder them.
What’s the age range?
13+. The characters swear up the entire gamut, and thematic content is present throughout (including discussion of traumatic backstories, mentions of harm to deceased characters; and in future installments, depictions of harm are included in the present day, including a hate-based attack). I never get gory, though, nor sexually explicit.
What kind of audience might be interested in this story?
People who wish Harry Potter had more queer rep & dove deeper into social issues
Fans of stories in the vein of Percy Jackson, where magic is melded into everyday life
People who love fantasy, but are a bit too squeamish for gore and tired of sexual violence
Anyone who’s interested in deep lore, and a multi-layered plot that takes its time to build itself up
What genre is this story?
Urban fantasy, but set in my own imagined world. They have similar technology to Earth, though the time frame is a bit behind modern-day.
Magic is known to the people of the world, and integrated with daily life in any places that are comfortable with it. The country the story takes place in, Castilla, has a rocky relationship with magic users thanks to old prejudices. Iris-born are free to go about their lives; but a good number of non-magic citizens are concerned about their potential to harm others.
Are there any common tropes or conventions you might use to describe this story?
Found family is a very prevalent theme.
Several of the characters also undergo journeys of self-discovery in terms of their sexuality and gender identity.
The MCs are all elementary-aged, so there’s no romantic tropes; though there are some consensual and healthy romantic subplots among the adult side characters.
Is there anything else potential readers should know?
It’s told in third-person omniscient, and there are multiple POVs across several different storylines. The plot also takes its time to ramp up throughout the series. So if you’re looking for a more surface-level fast-paced read, this might not be the one for you.
Fair warning—you get thrown eight POVs within the first two chapters. But we spend the rest of the series weaving between them, so you don’t have to memorize everybody right off the bat. Just let the narrative take you where it will, and trust the process.
If you have any other questions, feel free to hit up my contact page, or check out my Instagram and BlueSky!
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