Showing results by author "David Hochhalter" in All Categories

The students of House Orozco have their hero, and it's Vivian Hampton. For the first time in 17 years, they can walk the halls of the Pioneer Academy with their heads held high. Except Vivian has problems of her own

The early spring snowball fight at the Pioneer Academy is a ritual going back to the school’s founding. Magic is not only allowed, but encouraged. People from all over come out to watch. Bets are placed, beverages are imbibed, and they are all looking for the same thing: a darn good snowball fight, and knowing which will be the last house standing.

I opened my mouth at the absolute wrong time and declared I was High Lady Petra Abara of Gawain. Instead of spells and bullets, this war is being fought in the streets with words. If I am elevated, two of the top three nobles in Avalon would be women. The conservative faction in Chambers would like to plant me six feet under, or failing that, drop me into a ravine. Since they can’t do either, they are trying to dig up as much dirt as they can about me, then shout it in the streets. But what is truth can wander through the gray, and some people will believe what they want.

Welcome to Avalon, the gate to other worlds. Here, King Arthur, Merlin, and the evil enchantress Morgana Le Fey were real. They’re ancient history now, but the seeds of our government are based upon what they left behind. The wizard’s council makes sure the nobles, guilds, and clans play nice. Supporting them are the realm knights, sorcerers, and sorceresses of the realm.

The magical heralds emerged from the mist. I hadn’t thought they’d seen me, but before I knew it, I was tasked with choosing the guide for the next merlin in exchange for the ability to read. They didn’t even ask me if I wanted this! Now, all I had to do was survive. I didn’t know magic. I didn’t know how or even if I could carry out the herald’s task. But the one thing I did know was that I wanted to make a difference in the world. I became a healer. Then the herald’s prophecy started knocking on my door and my life became even more complicated.

The Sunshine Mystery Magic Club, consisting of Sara, Katy, Jonnie and Nenet, managed to save the world, which is all well and good, but there are still consequences. Namely an annoyed dragon, a half-wrecked village and the magic runes which the village depends on were destroyed. After what they’ve been through, the club should be stronger than ever, but cracks are forming. The newest member throws everyone off. And, enemies have started to notice the young girls coming into their power.

Sarah, Jonnie, and Katie, known as the Sunshine Mystery Magic Club in Brookhaven Middle School, certainly can’t afford a magic wand. That doesn’t mean they can’t make one. Right? But when they run into powers beyond their control and vanish, the special forces get called in to investigate who, or what, is behind this sudden magic in their neighborhood.