There are some who believe that magic is gone from this world; or rather, that it never existed in the first place, being nothing but superstitions of fearful apes attempting to impose their will on an uncaring universe. This is, of course, incorrect. The first bit, not the stuff about humans being fearful apes. In contrast, there are some who believe that magic, like the nebulous divinity of pantheism, is an all-pervading force unifying the cosmos, and what we in our limits call mundanity is in fact a sliver of Eternity itself. This is also incorrect. Furthermore, it is hippie nonsense, or at least a symptom of watching too much Star Wars. There is a third view, however: that magic is still here and never really left, preferring instead to conceal, to relocate, to feign normalcy. Witchcraft still stirs up trouble, the fae still lurk in green glades far from asphalt encroachment, and if you turn around quick enough you might spot the border between this world and the Other Place. This is, for the most part, incorrect. The Other Place has its own rules, its own power struggles, and generally regards the mundane world with disdain. However, it is most completely incorrect in Cedarville, MA, where the worst criminals, spies, and dissidents from the Other Place hide from retribution under an uneasy truce. In Cedarville, magic does not hide. It is not separate, or subtle. And most of all, it does not play by the rules. (Or: Joe was feeling chaotic and dumped a bunch of AG tributes in a small town AU)

*WATTYS 2018 LONGLIST* * THE WORLD C R U M B L E S. After the Thousand Earthquakes destroy over two-thirds of the country Environ, Adelita Cardenas is ripped from her home, suddenly torn between finding her family and helping her mentor infiltrate the capital's elite. When she discovers a golden kingdom hiding beneath the earth-and a clue leading to her family's killer-everything changes as she's strung along the journey to a war between four universes. THE WORLD B U R N S. Loreay Moreau is a Lossus. An angel exiled from his home after being framed for murder, Moreau goes on a search for truth when his brother tells him how to become an angel again. Hiding from the capital's clutch, he discovers Environ's biggest secret, and he and his brother may be the spark as a fire brews between the worlds of men, angels, and demons. AND THE WORLD D I E S. Four lands collide as more and more natural disasters threaten the end of everything. But what's behind the chaos? Does all order truly lead to disorder? Or is it the sinister hands of man that will lead Adelita, Moreau, and everyone they love into war? A war of magic. A war of penance. This is how the world will end. ~ Book One of the Diminishing Quintet - Second Draft - Cover by @ugh_andi aka: garrett procrastinates real responsibility by working on the same book since 2016