Is That an Aura of Wild Magic Engulfing You, Or Are You Just Pleased to See Me? cover art

Is That an Aura of Wild Magic Engulfing You, Or Are You Just Pleased to See Me?

Magic, Monsters and Radical Empathy

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Is That an Aura of Wild Magic Engulfing You, Or Are You Just Pleased to See Me?

By: Michael Coolwood
Narrated by: Michael Coolwood
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Summary

Queer disabled joy.

Emotional pain manifests literally around Laceco. He doesn’t know why, maybe he was cursed when he crossed the Ember Trail.

He’s tried living as a hermit in the mountains, hoping the wild magic wouldn’t ensnare anyone else. He managed a month before the wild magic teleported a new victim into his shack. He tried running, but he couldn’t get very far thanks to post-viral fatigue. He’s drawn to the Ember Cavalcade, a nomadic caravan run for disabled people, by disabled people. Laceco needs to rest and recover, but the wild magic manifestations, the emotional pain manifesting literally, won’t stop. The wild magic seems to want something from him, and he won’t be able to live with himself until he learns what.

©2024 Michael Coolwood (P)2025 Michael Coolwood Fantasy Literature & Fiction Science Fiction & Fantasy Magic
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This book captures the neurodivergent experience in a way I’ve never encountered before. For the first part of the story, I felt a disquieting sense of recognition in the characters. This kind of writing would have been invaluable to me growing up, and it made me question my own experiences.

An important story excellently narrated

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Laceco runs away from home, convinced that his presence is causing magical manifestations of the emotional pain of those around him. Planning to live the rest of his life in isolation, his plans change when he meets Ven, a woman who appears in his hut and seems to turn the area around her into a toxic wasteland.

The narrator's voice is clear and manages to bring the characters to life.

The storyl features a cast of main characters, all with different disabilities. They are portrayed as interesting and complex individuals, not reduced to their disabilities or depicted as heroically inspirational simply because they are disabled. It's refreshing to find a novel that handles disability so well.

The story envisions a world where people can be disabled, queer, or simply different and still be accepted. This idea of acceptance and inclusivity feels both hopeful and possible. The romance is believable, and it doesn't take long to start caring about the characters. I read this quickly and enjoyed the humour, which stopped the narrative from becoming too heavy.

The story has both heart and wit and is a solid choice for readers interested in themes of community and belonging.

Unique and Hopeful

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