A Tale of Magic...

A Tale of Magic...

Company type	Novel
Industry	Publishing
Founded	October 1, 2019 (2019-10-01)
Founder	Chris Colfer
Products	Fantasy novel

A Tale of Magic... is a 2019 fantasy novel authored by Chris Colfer, the mind behind the The Land of Stories series. Serving as the inaugural installment in the A Tale of Magic... collection and acting as a prequel to The Land of Stories, the narrative centers on Brystal Evergreen, a young woman living under oppression in the Southern Kingdom who uncovers her ability to wield forbidden magic. Recognizing her potential, Madame Weatherberry brings Brystal to a sanctioned royal institution dedicated to magical education.

Released on October 1, 2019, in the United States, the novel debuted at the top position on The New York Times Best Seller list and sustained its presence there for 17 weeks. To promote the book, Colfer embarked on a week-long tour featuring signings across eight cities nationwide. Critics commended the work for its exploration of themes such as acceptance and inclusion, alongside its well-developed characters.

Plot

Magic is outlawed throughout four kingdoms, with capital punishment imposed for its practice. In the Southern Kingdom, fairy Madame Weatherberry secures King Champion's consent to establish a school for magic, advocating that such an institution could help resolve the ongoing "northern conflict." The king authorizes her to enroll two children.

Within this kingdom, women are deprived of basic rights including literacy; nevertheless, 14-year-old Brystal Evergreen risks severe consequences to read. Employed as a maid in a library, she discovers forbidden magical texts and realizes she possesses magical abilities. After being apprehended, she is sent to Bootstrap Correctional Facility but soon after recruited by Madame Weatherberry. Alongside Brystal are fellow students Xanthous Hayfield, who manipulates fire and unintentionally caused his father’s death, and Emeralda Stone, raised by dwarves and gifted with gem magic.

At the academy, they encounter apprentices Tangerina Turkin and Skylene Lavenders as well as new student Lucy Goose. Initially struggling to harness her magic, Brystal receives a wand from Madame Weatherberry that aids her control. Following a near-fatal incident involving Brystal, classes on protection commence. Madame Weatherberry discloses that she combats the Snow Queen responsible for blizzards in the Northern Kingdom and intends for Brystal to succeed her should she perish. When Madame Weatherberry departs again, Brystal informs her companions and they embark on a mission to support her.

After falling into an enormous flower garden, they meet Rosette and her sorceress aunt who reveals that choosing to be a witch or fairy is voluntary—contradicting Madame Weatherberry’s teaching that fairies embody good while witches represent evil. Utilizing the "tree of truth," they verify that this division is fabricated to facilitate social acceptance. Subsequently, they assist Northern Kingdom soldiers in battling witches allied with the Snow Queen.

Brystal confronts the Snow Queen atop a mountain—who is unveiled as Madame Weatherberry herself, transformed by years of bitterness stemming from discrimination. She engineered magical disturbances that only fairies could resolve. Brystal convinces her to retreat to northern mountains where she produces northern lights and occasional blizzards; their absence signals the Snow Queen’s return.

The fairies demand legalization of magic, equal rights for all citizens, and removal of restrictions on creativity in exchange for repairing damage inflicted by the Snow Queen. At the Celeste Weatherberry Memorial Academy of Magic, numerous fairies gather to cultivate their talents.

Background

Originally conceived as a simple introduction to a prequel series named The Land Before Stories, Colfer's vision for A Tale of Magic... evolved significantly. Fueled by frustration and a sense of powerlessness regarding worldwide issues, he redirected his efforts toward creating an original narrative designed to guide younger generations toward improved futures, moving beyond the initial prequel framework.

Influences

Colfer's experience with the trauma of the September 11 attacks at age 11 profoundly shaped the novel. The story’s depiction of magical beings facing persecution serves as a metaphor for the struggles associated with being gay. Drawing inspiration from J. K. Rowling’s work—especially the finale of the Harry Potter series—Colfer characterized his book as a deeply personal "manifesto for compassion" and described it as his most challenging project to date. His intention was to equip parents and educators with a resource to navigate difficult conversations, while offering an engaging "magical adventure," underscoring how fiction can promote empathy and understanding even when readers feel marginalized.

Publication

Released on October 1, 2019, by Little, Brown and Company, the book debuted atop The New York Times Children's Middle Grade Hardcover Best Seller list on October 20. It maintained this leading position for four consecutive weeks before gradually descending in rank. The title briefly reclaimed number one during its 14th week and sustained its presence on the list for a total of 17 weeks, demonstrating enduring popularity within the middle-grade audience.

Promotion

The cover art was unveiled in March 2019 through Entertainment Weekly. To promote the release, Colfer embarked on a traditional book tour from October 1 through October 8, making appearances and signing copies at bookstores across New York City, Northvale, New Jersey, Naperville, Illinois, Sykesville, Maryland, Decatur, Georgia, Frisco, Texas, Tempe, Arizona, and Los Angeles.

Reception

Publishers Weekly commended the novel for its emphasis on themes such as chosen family, embracing one’s identity, and altering societal views by normalizing diverse experiences. The review highlighted its allegorical treatment of marginalized groups alongside well-developed characters. Mary Eisenhart from Common Sense Media awarded the book four out of five stars, noting its portrayal of complex and relatable characters who confront adversity and danger to foster a safer environment for magical beings, while also acknowledging the presence of frequent violent elements. In 2020, the book received the prestigious Parents' Choice Gold Award.

Sequels

Following this installment, A Tale of Witchcraft... was published on October 6, 2020, entering The New York Times Best Seller list and remaining there for 17 weeks. The third book in the series, A Tale of Sorcery...'’, was released on September 28, 2021. As of October 2021, Chris Colfer suggested that a fourth volume is "very likely," although it has not been officially confirmed.