What YA fantasy novel was this?
April 21, 2015 8:15 PM Subscribe
This is driving me crazy, because I know it's a book I like and have read more than once, but I can't for the life of me put my finger on it. Seems like Diana Wynne Jones but I can't find one of hers that fits. Details inside.
The main part I remember involves a teenage boy and his... father? Uncle? Other male role model figure? The boy's stepmother (?) is into new-age-y hippie stuff and has gotten involved in an occult group that's secretly preparing some bad magic (magic is something known to the boy and his father) and the group has gotten a hold of some fire salamanders, which are magical creatures and set things on fire when they're upset or scared. Several members of the occult group have the salamanders at their homes because they're going to use them for some kind of magic, and the boy and his father have to go around to their houses and collect the salamanders and try to keep them calm so they don't set fire to the car or the baskets they're in.
Also, I think from the same book but I may be conflating it with something else, there are big giant-type beings that are... cities come to life? The magical guardians of the cities? And the boy has to travel through their territories in a car with some other people. I think it must take place in England, because I'm pretty sure they meet London.
It's right at the edge of my brain and driving me crazy. I'll probably think of it seconds after posting this.
The main part I remember involves a teenage boy and his... father? Uncle? Other male role model figure? The boy's stepmother (?) is into new-age-y hippie stuff and has gotten involved in an occult group that's secretly preparing some bad magic (magic is something known to the boy and his father) and the group has gotten a hold of some fire salamanders, which are magical creatures and set things on fire when they're upset or scared. Several members of the occult group have the salamanders at their homes because they're going to use them for some kind of magic, and the boy and his father have to go around to their houses and collect the salamanders and try to keep them calm so they don't set fire to the car or the baskets they're in.
Also, I think from the same book but I may be conflating it with something else, there are big giant-type beings that are... cities come to life? The magical guardians of the cities? And the boy has to travel through their territories in a car with some other people. I think it must take place in England, because I'm pretty sure they meet London.
It's right at the edge of my brain and driving me crazy. I'll probably think of it seconds after posting this.
Best answer: Yes, it's the Merlin Conspiracy, at least going off the fire salamander thing which I also remember.
posted by smoke at 8:23 PM on April 21, 2015
posted by smoke at 8:23 PM on April 21, 2015
Response by poster: Dammit, it IS the Merlin Conspiracy! Nick was who I kept thinking of and I even skimmed through my copy of it, but I just totally missed that part when I was riffling through the pages, and I knew for sure it wasn't Deep Secret because I've read that more times than I can count. Thanks, you guys! It was going to bug me all night.
posted by skycrashesdown at 8:26 PM on April 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by skycrashesdown at 8:26 PM on April 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
Huh, the magical guardians of cities made me think of Archer's Goon, and now I'm all confused about Diana Wynne Jones's books. Time for another re-read.
posted by gaspode at 6:21 AM on April 22, 2015
posted by gaspode at 6:21 AM on April 22, 2015
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posted by sciatrix at 8:20 PM on April 21, 2015