Between sarcastically telling futures and feeding domesticated dragons, The Living Dead Girl plans her escape from the traveling carnival where she is the star attraction. A boy, who can’t tell himself apart from his identical brothers, dreams of the world outside the sterile laboratory where he was created. And a miniature-schnauzer with PTSD looks for a new family. These three find each other aboard a pirate ship crewed by werewolves and become friends when they are harassed by an insane ghost to finish her unfinished business… oh, and maybe save the world.
Paul Goat Allan, a reviewer Publishers Weekly, The Chicago Tribune, Kirkus Reviews (and my thesis advisor at Seton Hill University) describes my novels as: “a masterwork of imagination that is simultaneously a jaw-dropping all-ages fantasy, an apocalyptic thriller, numerous poignant coming-of-age tales, and a heartrending romance, but is essentially, four story lines braided into a wondrous, completely unpredictable narrative.” And I was very pleased with that.
The world of Tovar is a little different than other portal fantasies because the gateway between a futuristic New Jersey and the magic-filled Tovar is open for trade. With monsters (like paisa-birds) and magic (the power of naming things and song) based on Indigenous American culture, Jewish fairytales, and non-western myths, the fantasy elements are unique and unexpected. Witch Ghost Dog Clone tackles themes of overcoming toxic families, found family, fighting isolation with trust, and choosing joy.
L.J. Longo 