Mattson Academy

Synopsis

This YA fantasy story follows high schooler Connor McTaggart and his friends in their investigation of bloodsucking monsters that have beset upon their school. Danger lurks in every corner, and unbeknownst to Connor, he has stumbled into a gruesome ritual performed by one of his classmates, making him the next target. Connor and his friends must find who’s behind these attacks before it’s too late – and still study for midterms.

Excerpts

“They reached the outskirts of the forest and entered through an archway formed by the thick-boled trees. The leaves showed the golds and reds of autumn, yet the forest looked lush, as though no leaf had yet fallen and none planned on it. The archway extended deep into the forest , a winding, natural tunnel. The trees’ perfect symmetry belied their magical nature. Connor peered deep into the endless woods with wide eyes, not wanting to miss a thing. Outdoosy stuff rarely appealed to him, but magic outdoosy stuff? H could get behind that. His mom chuckled at her son’s sudden silence.

‘These woods are magic, you know. Enchantments on the forest are there school’s first line of defense. Anyone who goes in not knowing what they’re looking for has a way of getting themselves turned around. It’s very old magic.’”

*****

“Through the maindoors, a long hallway stretched before him, bustling with kids. Rows of dull blue lochers, dented and scuffed from years of use, were covered with colorful fliers advertising clubs and activities. Arush of air was Connor’s only warning to duck as a student literally flew over his head. The Blur of denim and feathers wes there and gone in a flash.

No way, he thought.

Tall elves strolled by with their backpacks floating a pace behind them. A gaggle of short, green goblins hurried past him, chattering in their high-pitched native tongue. He smelled singed hair and saw two orcs wrestling with each other, one of them slightly on fire, before a teacher appeared to lift and separate them with a simple gesture and a stern glare.

The school’s main hallway branched off into dozens of side-passages in every conceivable direction, and down each one Connor noted a flash of light, a strange face, or a rancid smell he desperately wanted to explore.”