Lita Burke

Strange Case of the Half-Boy Half-Dog Baffles Scientists: A Clever Wizard Explains

Interviewers have a knack for getting Lita to confess all sorts of things. Here is more tittle-tattle about Clockpunk Wizardry. In a recent interview, Lita chatted with the folks over at Authors’ Cave. After an exhaustive interrogation that required a pound of fine chocolates for medicinal purposes, out came the truth. The details may surprise…

Book of the Dead: Ghost Amulet

The Book of the Dead explains the nature of Church magic in the Enchanters of Sye world. ghost amulet [gōst amyələt] noun, c.900, OE gāst < ME goost; c.1550 amalettys < L amuletum; also spirit fetish or periapt. A ghost amulet is a charm no larger than a woman’s fist. Its purpose is to house…

Review: A Gathering of Twine

A Gathering of Twine (The Spirals of Danu) by Martin Adil-Smith is an epic fantasy about Freeman, a writer who tells a most dangerous tale. The elderly Freeman hurries to a meeting with his book publisher. He totes a briefcase stuffed with incriminating papers concerning his next story. Three shadowy mystery men trail him, people…

Bestiarum Vocabulum: Grassland Satyr

The Bestiarum Vocabulum is the wizard’s encyclopedia of faerie beasties and mundane crossovers living in the lake and forest near Lita’s castle. grassland satyr [gras lənd sey ter] noun, 1325-1375; ME < L satyrus < Gr sátyros; also centaur. Denizen of the Clockpunk Wizard world. One of two types of magical sentient creatures who are…

Necronomicon Enchanter: Clergy Secrets

Within the pages of the Necronomicon Enchanter book in Lita’s library, the curious may learn the Enchanters’ magical matters. Beware, for the knowledge might drive the reader mad with bitter desire and luscious regret. Previously: Magical Chaos Theory and Old Forest Enchanters’ Magical Discipline Essence Kiss Five Schools Uslar Rings Church Magicians Greatest Sorrow Sye’s…

Enter Here for Madness

Not all enchantments are fairy glitter and unicorns. In some fantasy worlds, it is always half past dark and Halloween time. Today is Samhain. Let the screams begin. Every October, the Autumn People come to town in a field near Lita’s castle. First we hear screaming train whistles in the dead of night, and then…

Review: Doctor Sleep

Doctor Sleep by Stephen King is a supernatural thriller about a recovering alcoholic, Dan Torrance, and his fight to save a young girl named Abra Stone from a group of RV-hauling vampires that eat the paranormal powers of children. Dan began his fight with malevolent spirits at the age of five, when he joined his…

Dramatis Personæ: Sumer

The Dramatis Personæ is the roster of conjurers and sentient magical creatures staying in the many rooms, grottos, and byways of Lita’s castle. Here is the guest book for the Enchanters of Sye Tower. Sumer [ˈsu mər] proper noun, c.3300 BC; Sumerian < Akkadian; also Sumernor’mylnburne Profession: Ghost Race: Human, male, deceased Appearance: Brown eyes,…

Review: The Blue Amaryllis

The Blue Amaryllis by Sonia De Leon is a contemporary romance about Leia, a young woman who flees into the Amazon rainforest to heal her grief. Chicago native Leia is heartbroken from the recent death of her mother. Her college professor invites Leia to visit the Amazon Matis tribe. Each backcountry checkpoint strips away layers of…

Necronomicon Enchanter: Alternate Essence

Within the pages of the Necronomicon Enchanter book in Lita’s library, the curious may learn the Enchanters’ magical matters. Beware, for the knowledge might drive the reader mad with bitter desire and luscious regret. Previously: Magical Chaos Theory and Old Forest Enchanters’ Magical Discipline Essence Kiss Five Schools Uslar Rings Church Magicians Greatest Sorrow Sye’s…