2024 Challenge: Creatures animated by magic

[Margaret]

Here is the place to discuss retellings, traditional tales, or books that contain creatures animated by magic. Examples include golems, Frankenstein's monster, Pinocchio, poppets, dolls, and more.

[Andy]

So looking forward to this challenge! :)

I like suggestion treads, so I will leave here some of the books I have read and liked that can fit this prompt! ;)

A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking
Nettle & Bone
Bookshops & Bonedust
The Golem and the Djinni
The Hidden Palace - I might read this one
Keeper of Enchanted Rooms

[Margaret]

I will add suggestions to each category as I have time!

[Ozsaur]

Thistlefoot - several creatures animated by magic, the main one being Baba Yaga's house.

Clean Sweep - another house animated by magic! A fun series.

Howl’s Moving Castle - Sensing a theme here?

[Andy]

Ozsaur wrote: "Thistlefoot - several creatures animated by magic, the main one being Baba Yaga's house.

Clean Sweep - another house animated by magic! A fun series.

"

I will consider Howl’s Moving Castle :)

[Ozsaur]

Andy, if you like the book, I suggest the animated movie. It's beautiful, and so charming.

[Margaret]

Ozsaur wrote: "Andy, if you like the book, I suggest the animated movie. It's beautiful, and so charming."

I love the movie so much! And the book, too. :)

[Andy]

Ozsaur wrote: "Andy, if you like the book, I suggest the animated movie. It's beautiful, and so charming."

Thank you! :)

[Asaria]

I will probably read Golem by Maciej Płaza about the Hassidic community in the area that nowadays belongs to Ukraine. Its description suggests the book is a historical novel with strong dash of magical realism. Fingers crossed for Golem to make an appearance.

As usual for Polish lit, no English translation is available.

[Netanella]

I am planning on reading Bari Wood's The Tribe for this prompt. It's 1970s religious-inspired horror, following the popularity of "The Omen" and "Exorcist", but it leans on Jewish mysticism and the kabbalah rather than Catholicism.

[Jalilah]

For this category I can’t recommend The Golem and the Jinni enough, as well as its sequel The Hidden Palace! They are fun and captivating books that, besides the Golem and Jinn are based on carefully researched history. Because there is a Djinn in it, it would also count for Fire creatures.
I’ve read both already so I don’t know yet what I’ll read.
Another good book the original Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi. It was delightful! I was only familiar with the Disney version and it is so much better! In fact if I don’t find anything I might reread it!

[Andy]

Jalilah wrote: "For this category I can’t recommend The Golem and the Jinni and its sequel The Hidden Palace enough! They are fun and captivating books that, besides the Golem and J..."

Depending on what you liked about Pinocchio, you might like A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking, I adored it, and it was surprisingly dark for somenthing like a Middle Grade!

[Margaret]

I don't have a whole lot of recommendations for this one!

Oh, I see we're counting houses. There are so many good house ones!!!

Some suggestions:
-The Night Eaters, Vol. 1: She Eats the Night by Marjorie M. Liu: A horror graphic novel. Be prepared for creepy dolls.
-Bad Dolls by Rachel Harrison: Speaking of creepy dolls...
-Starling House by Alix E. Harrow: Southern gothic, I love it.
-The September House by Carissa Orlando: Another great gothic.
-Lost in the Moment and Found by Seanan McGuire: it's the 8th in the series, but would count for this! It's my favorite in the series.
-A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik: A school that's alive!
-It's been a while but I'm pretty sure Ikenga by Nnedi Okorafor counts here. A MG superhero novel
-The Dollmaker of Krakow by R.M. Romero: a non-creepy doll! MG historical fiction.
-I think The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern counts. Even though I gave it 4.5 stars, it didn't stick with me...
-Burning Girls and Other Stories by Veronica Schanoes: There's a great golem novella in this.
-Doll Bones by Holly Black: More creepy dolls, but this time in a MG horror.

[Jalilah]

Finally I am using The Stolen Heir for this prompt. I originally was going to use it for either forest creatures or creatures made of ice and snow. It would work for both of those prompts as well

[Jalilah]

I just read the second book in the The Stolen Heir series, The Prisoner’s Throne
Both books have a character who is animated by magic

[Jamie]

I read Nettle & Bone and I loved it! The perfect standalone fairytale that’s just the right amount of spookiness and whimsical world-building. Bone dog (reanimated by magic) was so precious.

[Erin]

For this, I read Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier (YA fantasy set in the Pacific Islands) in which characters' tattoos leap from their skin into being. Rather a fresh and unique creatures animated by magic I think! I rather enjoyed this one.

I also enjoyed Helene Wecker's The Golem and the Jinni and recommend it but have previously read it so cannot count it this time.

[Margaret]

I need one more book for this category. I might read Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg, but are there any other suggestions? I've already read most of the other recommendations here.

[Andy]

Margaret wrote: "I need one more book for this category. I might read Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg, but are there any other suggestions? I've already read most o..."

I preferred The Paper Magician, which also works. I enjoyed The Winter Garden, but it was somewhat problematic.

Hope you find something good!

[Ozsaur]

A Sorceress Comes to Call - I just finished this, and it fits the category. It's also top tier T. Kingfisher.

[Margaret]

Ozsaur wrote: "A Sorceress Comes to Call - I just finished this, and it fits the category. It's also top tier T. Kingfisher."

Oh! I put that in un-alive creatures! I could move it over, because I have plenty for that category!

Andy wrote: "Margaret wrote: "I need one more book for this category. I might read Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg, but are there any other suggestions? I've al..."

Thanks! The Paper Magician looks good!

[Ozsaur]

Margaret wrote:Oh! I put that in un-alive creatures! I could move it over, because I have plenty for that category!

Actually, I think A Sorceress Comes to Call fits both un-alive creatures as well as animated by magic! All sorts of interesting things happen in that book...

IOW highly recommended!

[Margaret]

I already had 5 books in un-alive creatures, so I was happy to switch it over, ha!

I decided to read 3 books for each category.