Margaret K. McElderry Books has announced the upcoming release of "Bound by Fury," a young adult contemporary fantasy novel by acclaimed author Noelle Monét. The book, set to launch on August 18th, delves into themes of inherited magic, historical secrets, and a protagonist grappling with a newfound, dangerous power. An exclusive excerpt released to the public offers a glimpse into the novel’s compelling narrative, weaving together a contemporary setting with a dark, mystical past.
The excerpt introduces Harper, a young woman whose life is irrevocably altered by the sudden death of her grandmother, Gigi. Gigi, a storyteller who filled Harper’s childhood with tales of celestial magic wielded by "pretty brown girls," had always instilled a sense of wonder. However, these stories transform from comforting folklore into a stark reality when Harper’s grief triggers a potent and volatile magic surging within her. This awakening propels Harper on a quest for answers, leading her to Black Mountain Academy, an elite boarding school nestled in the Appalachian Mountains.
Black Mountain Academy is not just any educational institution; it is a place steeped in history and shrouded in local legend. Significantly, it was Gigi’s alma mater, further deepening Harper’s connection to the school and its mysterious past. The excerpt hints at a haunted reputation, with whispers of the "ghosts of witches past" lingering on the grounds. Harper’s arrival is driven by a desperate need to understand and control her burgeoning abilities, a mission complicated by the presence of Kai, her estranged former best friend, who seems intent on her departure, and his cousin, Lucas, who harbors unresolved romantic tension from the previous summer.
The narrative quickly establishes that Black Mountain Academy is built upon a foundation of secrets. As Harper begins to investigate, she uncovers a chilling local legend detailing the brutal deaths of twelve witches on the academy’s grounds. This discovery ignites an uncanny resonance within Harper, suggesting a profound link between her own destiny and that of these long-deceased women. The excerpt culminates in a palpable sense of danger, as it becomes clear that someone is determined to prevent Harper from exposing the school’s dark history, even resorting to lethal measures. This forces Harper into a critical juncture: to abandon her search for truth and risk losing her identity, or to confront the sinister undercurrents and fight for the revelation of her heritage.
A Historical Echo of Vengeance and Prophecy
The provided excerpt also includes a poignant and historically evocative section set in Earnest, NC, in 1926. This segment appears to be a flashback or a narrative device designed to establish the deep-seated roots of the magic and conflict that Harper will encounter. The scene is stark and grim, depicting the aftermath of a horrific event: twelve nooses hanging from ancient oak branches, each bearing the weight of a body. The grim tableau is enhanced by chilling details: black sacks covering the faces of the deceased, stark white paint resembling starlight splattered as a warning, and the ravaged remnants of a once-sacred ground, including charred trees and a mangled belfry.
At the center of this devastation stands a woman, her hair whipped by the wind, her eyes reflecting a furious glint amidst mist. Her hands rest protectively on a barely swollen belly, symbolizing the continuation of a lineage despite the surrounding destruction. The narrative explicitly links this event to a historical reckoning, stating, "Of course, it all started long ago, far before any of them can remember. But she saw it clear as day. How history has a way of coming back around." This sentence powerfully underscores the cyclical nature of past injustices and their impact on the present.
The scene vividly describes the arrival of cloaked men, their attire the deep red of spilled blood, as they descend to retrieve the bodies. The air is thick with the stench of sulfur and the palpable presence of shadows, hinting at supernatural forces at play. Beneath the surface of this brutal act, a powerful entity stirs deep within the mountain, a "beast in waiting," whose grumbling presence shakes the earth. The woman, despite the horror, exhibits a chilling satisfaction and a fierce hunger for retribution, her primal instincts surfacing as she observes the scene.
Despite a fleeting thought of escaping the agony by leaping from a precipice, she remains, bound by the "blessing" she carries within her – presumably, her unborn child, who will be the inheritor of this legacy. The aftermath of the cremation is marked by a profound emptiness within her, a physical manifestation of the night’s immense toll. Tears of grief and rage stain her chest as she digs her nails into the soil, making a series of twelve promises: twelve promises for revenge, twelve for a miracle, and twelve for a prophecy that will seal their fates. This historical interlude establishes a direct ancestral link to the present-day conflict, framing Harper’s journey as part of a much larger, generations-old struggle.
Contemporary Realities and Lingering Shadows
The narrative then transitions to the present day, placing the reader in the humid, oppressive atmosphere of Earnest, NC, a small town characterized by its time-darkened clay brick sidewalks and the blooming dogwoods and crape myrtles. The description of the weather – a warm breeze from the Appalachian peaks, thick humidity coating the skin – creates a palpable sense of discomfort and stagnation, mirroring Harper’s own feelings of being trapped. She expresses a longing for the distinct seasons of autumn and winter, a desire for the vibrant autumnal festivals and snow-covered backroads that have eluded her in Earnest. This yearning for a different experience underscores her feeling of displacement and her anticipation of a significant change, even if she never imagined it would arrive under such dire circumstances.
Harper’s entry into Dawson’s Mini-Mart, a quintessential small-town convenience store situated between a defunct movie theater and a pawn shop, immediately introduces a sense of local decay and normalcy disrupted. Her attention is drawn to a "MISSING" poster, a stark reminder of the pervasive unease that has settled over the town. The repeated appearance of these flyers, duct-taped to lampposts and tucked under windshield wipers, amplifies the sense of a widespread concern and a community grappling with loss. The word "MISSING" resonates deeply within Harper, settling in her stomach like lead, as she navigates the aisles, her mind preoccupied.
Her internal monologue reveals a deep-seated sadness and a yearning for connection, tinged with regret. The mention of her mother finding a necklace in her pocket, a memento from Gigi, highlights the immediate impact of her grandmother’s death and the weight of familial obligation. Harper struggles with the emotional burden of the necklace, seeing it as a tether to the grief that threatens to consume her. This internal conflict is juxtaposed with her search for comfort in mundane choices, like selecting between apple fritters and rainbow brownies, and the simple act of buying snacks for a solo movie outing.
The narrative then skillfully weaves in the complex dynamics of Harper’s relationships. Her past connection with Kai and Lucas is hinted at through fleeting thoughts and memories. The recollection of their shared childhood, slipping through the legs of vacationers in the same store, now serves as a painful reminder of lost innocence and fractured friendships. The memory of seeing Malachi’s silhouette against a window the previous night, coupled with a year of silence and unresolved anger, reveals the raw emotional wound left by their disastrous parting. This emotional turmoil is further complicated by a pervasive sense of guilt, as she whispers, "It’s all my fault," a sentiment that seems to be a constant companion.
The encounter with the store cashier serves as a crucial turning point in the excerpt. The cashier’s persistent observation and trailing of Harper triggers a deep-seated unease, amplified by Harper’s own heightened sensitivity and the lingering effects of her grandmother’s illness. As Harper’s anxiety escalates, she experiences a physical manifestation of her distress: a burning sensation under her skin, darkening the tips of her ears and the back of her neck. This physical reaction hints at the underlying magic that is beginning to stir within her, responding to her emotional turmoil.
The excerpt powerfully recounts the traumatic events surrounding Gigi’s death. Harper describes waking up on her sixteenth birthday to find her grandmother unresponsive, a stark contrast to the expected joyous celebrations. The visceral details of performing CPR – the screams, the cracking ribs, the exhaustion – paint a harrowing picture of loss and the brutal reality of trying to save a life. The phrase, "No one tells you how bad giving CPR sucks. No one tells you that you have to hurt people to save them," encapsulates the profound emotional and physical toll of such an experience. The question, "But at what cost, and for how long?" underscores Harper’s lingering uncertainty and fear about the implications of her actions and her grandmother’s survival.
The Unsettling Manifestation of Power
The tension in the convenience store escalates as the cashier’s suspicion morphs into outright accusation. The cashier’s prejudiced remarks, fueled by her perception of Harper as a potential thief based on her race and behavior, reveal the pervasive undercurrent of racism in the small town. Harper’s internal reaction to this discrimination is a potent mix of confusion and rage. She recognizes the injustice of being judged solely on her appearance, with her identity reduced to a stereotype. The cashier’s threat to call 911 and her dismissive command for Harper to "go back to wherever the hell you come from" ignite a primal fury within Harper.
This intense emotional state triggers a significant magical event. Static electricity burns at Harper’s fingertips, a raw power cracks open at her core, and her vision blurs with a cacophony of murmuring voices in countless languages. This disorienting experience is abruptly interrupted by the activation of the store’s sprinkler system. The sudden deluge of water seems to extinguish the burgeoning magical surge, leaving Harper feeling empty and disoriented, as if a part of her has been lost.
Despite the unsettling experience and the lingering sense of emotional dissipation, Harper leaves the store with a pragmatic, albeit cynical, resolve. She procures her snacks, pays, and leaves, but the experience leaves a lasting impression. The ringing of her phone as she exits the store, likely a call from her mother regarding Gigi’s condition, serves as a reminder of the urgent realities she faces. Her final thought, "I should’ve just stolen the shit," reveals a complex mix of defiance, resignation, and a burgeoning understanding of her own power, suggesting a shift in her willingness to adhere to societal norms when faced with injustice and personal struggle.
The excerpt from "Bound by Fury" masterfully sets the stage for a captivating young adult fantasy novel. It introduces a protagonist thrust into a world of inherited magic and ancestral vengeance, while simultaneously exploring contemporary issues of grief, identity, and prejudice. The narrative’s strength lies in its ability to seamlessly blend the fantastical with the relatable, promising readers a journey filled with mystery, danger, and the profound exploration of a young woman’s destiny. The dual timelines, the historical echoes of the 1926 tragedy, and the palpable tension of Harper’s present-day struggles create a rich tapestry that draws readers into the heart of Black Mountain Academy’s secrets and Harper’s fight for truth. The novel promises to be a compelling exploration of how the past informs the present, and how one young woman’s courage can unravel centuries of darkness.
