Weird YA book
November 18, 2009 3:24 AM Subscribe
[Bookfinder filter] Help me identify a weird book about black magic from my childhood.
As AskMefi was so helpful the last time I posted a question like this, I'm doing it again. I read this strange and wonderful book in the mid/early 90s, but have no recollection of the title or author's name. These are the (spoilery) elements I remember:
- It was set in Australia or Britain
- The main characters were a teenage schoolgirl and a young teacher who was having an affair with her (or wanted to). He was a sympathetic character, she may have been kind of annoying.
- There were 2 antagonists, a weird old married couple. They are practising black magic of some kind. They need to kill the schoolgirl, I think. He was called Robin, I can't remember her name. They are described as being quite grotesque. They die while having sex (this is described vividly - I told you it was weird). I don't think the schoolgirl or the teacher even meet them until quite late into the book.
- There was an evil wizard or necromancer who may have died a long time ago, and the weird married couple were his disciples or something.
- A pyramid in a forest definitely featured.
- The cover had a scary face on it - like Uncle Fester but scarier.
- The author, or the young teacher character, may have been called Greg.
Despite the very adult subject matter it was definitely a Young Adult novel. I'd love to find it again. Thanks for your help!
As AskMefi was so helpful the last time I posted a question like this, I'm doing it again. I read this strange and wonderful book in the mid/early 90s, but have no recollection of the title or author's name. These are the (spoilery) elements I remember:
- It was set in Australia or Britain
- The main characters were a teenage schoolgirl and a young teacher who was having an affair with her (or wanted to). He was a sympathetic character, she may have been kind of annoying.
- There were 2 antagonists, a weird old married couple. They are practising black magic of some kind. They need to kill the schoolgirl, I think. He was called Robin, I can't remember her name. They are described as being quite grotesque. They die while having sex (this is described vividly - I told you it was weird). I don't think the schoolgirl or the teacher even meet them until quite late into the book.
- There was an evil wizard or necromancer who may have died a long time ago, and the weird married couple were his disciples or something.
- A pyramid in a forest definitely featured.
- The cover had a scary face on it - like Uncle Fester but scarier.
- The author, or the young teacher character, may have been called Greg.
Despite the very adult subject matter it was definitely a Young Adult novel. I'd love to find it again. Thanks for your help!
Response by poster: No, it's not Fire and Hemlock - lovely book though.
posted by Ziggy500 at 3:48 AM on November 18, 2009
posted by Ziggy500 at 3:48 AM on November 18, 2009
If the girl was a magician as well, could it have been Charmed Life?
posted by greenish at 4:11 AM on November 18, 2009
posted by greenish at 4:11 AM on November 18, 2009
I find it unlikely to have been a Diana Wynne Jones book, as I've read a LOT of her stuff and don't recall any sex scenes in any of her work.
posted by Slinga at 7:08 AM on November 18, 2009
posted by Slinga at 7:08 AM on November 18, 2009
Response by poster: No, it wasn't Diana Wynne Jones. I think the author was male.
posted by Ziggy500 at 7:12 AM on November 18, 2009
posted by Ziggy500 at 7:12 AM on November 18, 2009
Sounds like something by James Herbert.
posted by Allee Katze at 8:06 AM on November 18, 2009
posted by Allee Katze at 8:06 AM on November 18, 2009
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posted by TheophileEscargot at 3:34 AM on November 18, 2009