Bacon Finnegan and the Relics of Merlin

The fantasy genre is rapidly growing as seen with the giant success of authors like Eoin Colfer, Suzanne Collins, Jenny Nimmo, Christopher Paolini, J. K. Rowling, and Jonathan Stroud. Young adults all over the world are returning to fantasy stories like C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkein's classic tales that capture our imagination and transcend generations.

The success of the genre is evident in the popularity of Artemis Fowl, Charlie Bone, Eragon, Gregor the Overlander, Harry Potter, The Bartimaeus Trilogy and The Chronicles of Narnia. According to Martin P. Levine, an accomplished publishing executive, "The Juvenile book market is a $1 Billion plus market in sales." According to an article in the Timesonline dated June 30, 2005 titled Think you can write a children's bestseller? by Catherine O'Brien, "Children's authors consistently top the bestseller lists. The number of children's books sold each year stands at 44 million, an increase of nine million in the past four years."

Bacon Finnegan and the Relics of Merlin
Book One: The Sword of Elements

Bacon Finnegan and the Relics of Merlin: The Sword of Elements is a Young Adult fantasy fiction series that chronicles the adventures of Merlin’s grandson through space and time. It is complete at 85,000 words and features fifteen-year-old Bacon Finnegan. Like these books listed above, BACON FINNEGAN AND THE RELICS OF MERLIN has all of the ingredients for an instant success.

How will this book appeal to children?

This book will connect with children on many levels. However, four main aspects make Bacon Finnegan and the Relics of Merlin: The Sword of Elements appealing to children.

ASPECT #1: CHARACTER DYNAMICS

The first aspect children will enjoy is the dynamics of the characters. This book will have one android, two male, and three female main characters. Their interactions are engaging and believable and their diversity will appeal to a wide audience crossing genders and age barriers. The main protagonist, Bacon Finnegan is strong yet immature. He has lived alone in the cargo hold for ten years. Accidentally teleporting the other children with him, he is thrust into a situation where he has to learn how to socialize, interact, and work with the other children.

ASPECT #2: INTERESTING ADVENTURE

The second aspect that will appeal to children is the interesting adventure. A great adventure takes our minds off our own ordinary lives, and places our imagination in the unbelievable settings, exotic scenes and outlandish circumstances that the protagonist faces. This book will interest all age groups with a plot woven from many different popular adventures. Crafted in an interesting futuristic setting with many historical overtones, the high-concept storyline is complete with Indiana Jones like adventure, mixed with the mystical worlds of The Chronicles of Narnia and Star Wars. Add to that a sprinkling of Charlie Bone , a pinch of Eragon , and a spoon full of the hit U.S. television show Quantum Leap, and the reader gets a myriad of various past and current literary influences, intertwined with the most popular myths, legends and magical creatures of all times. Simply put, children and adults alike, will enjoy Bacon Finnegan’s adventure as he is whisked off to a distant planet, discovers his magical powers, battles an alter ego, searches for lost treasure, faces enchanted creatures, and plays a key role in the greatest legend of all times—the legend of Merlin. On some level, we all want the mundane in their lives replaced with the most exciting adventures we can think of.

ASPECT #3: THEMES

The third aspect, that will attract the attention of children, is its themes. This book crosses into many themes and bounds limitless between: Literary Satire, Mystery, Adventure, Social Satire and Children’s Fairy Tales. It brings forward historical accounts, legends and tales from various cultures mixing them with a new fantasy world. Children will enjoy the mixture of creatures from ancient civilizations and fairy-tales mixed with modern technology and futuristic lifestyles fusing it with a search for magical relics throughout the universe. The use of historical overtones, ancient civilizations and mythological references produces a well-rounded dynamic storyline. The storyline mixes the mystery of the seven relics along with the adventure of Bacon having to find them. It conforms to the “Good vs. Evil” struggle that great epic tales and legendary stories incorporate. Bacon has to fight off supernatural evil forces while his mental fortitude and strength of character are challenged. Through this epic quest, friendships are cultivated and rivalries are forged.

ASPECT #4: COMMONALITY

 The fourth and final aspect that will appeal to children is commonality. Children identify with characters that are like themselves. Common situations and personal encounters create connectivity with the reader. Children will tap into their own feelings, with the use of strong emotions like danger, hatred, friendship, fear, love, courage, teamwork, death, selfishness and jealousy. As the story unfolds, readers will feel for Bacon, empathize with him, understand him and they may even come to hate him at times. On an emotional and intellectual scale, children will connect with the other supporting characters, and the events that happen. Girl readers will also identify with the three supporting female characters and their interaction with Bacon Finnegan.

AT THE END OF THE DAY

Bacon Finnegan and the Relics of Merlin: The Sword of Elements will connect with young adults and children emotionally and intellectually with the use of a dynamic protagonist and supporting characters, a fantastical adventure, genre crossing themes, and commonality.

The success of authors like Eoin Colfer, Christopher Paolini, Jenny Nimmo, Jonathan Stroud, J.K Rowling and C.S. Lewis is evidence that a well thought out children's action adventure stories with identifiable characters and plenty of imagination, mystery and magical powers are a formula for success.

For More Visit:

www.BaconFinnegan.com