Bacon's Quest

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."

Like these books listed above, BACON'S QUEST: THE SWORD OF VIRTUE has all of the ingredients for an instant success. Those ingredients are Setting, Plot, Characterization, Conflict and Theme.

Setting

The gravitating interest in fantasy stores is their ability to transform the reader into an, otherworld realm while capturing the reality of our own world. This other-worldliness possesses an unbelievable quality, a spirit of magic with creatures that are only imaginable in our world and powers that are supernatural. BACON'S QUEST: THE SWORD OF VIRTUE begins in the real world, in the cargo bay of a space ship, moving to the fantasy world through teleportation to the planet Rossulterra where Unicorns, Camelopeards, Gargoyles, Gorgons, Merfolk, Tree Barbarians, Demons and mythological personas like Poseidon and Merlin fill the minds of the reader. In addition, places with mystery like the dead city of Sitnalta and the Warlock's castle come to life.

Plot

Recklessly Bacon decides to transport from the Starship Ruby Darton taking with him four other kids and his trusted android companion. It is in this reckless moment that they learn that the only way off the planet is to right the wrong done to the inhabitants of the city of Sitnalta. Although this is the main plot of the story, several sub plots woven within. One sub plot is the revelation to Bacon that he is the grandson of Merlin the Magician, a great Decnalab Wizard. It becomes his quest to bring forth the prophecy that the quasar sun will collect seventeen articles of Merlin. These magical relics he will use to free Merlin from the Oak tree on Earth. Other plots develop between each character in the group as well as inside each character. Bacon's new found powers, his quest to find his real parents, his moral and ethical duty to his new friends all create strain and internal conflict for the main character.

Characterization

A true character is believable by the human traits and qualities that they portray. It is through the individual nature of the character, their moral qualities and ethical standards that determine the impression they make upon others. Each character is an individual. Bacon is a lonely kid who lives in the corner of the cargo hold. The St. Clair girls are privileged children of the ship's captain and are each unique in their own way while Reggie Flannery is nerdy, mousy and strives for attention. At the same time Bacon Finnegan, Michalka St. Clair, Inapsis St. Clair, Pru St. Clair, Reggie Flannery and the android IQ32 make up the symbiotic relationship of the group. It is the inter-dynamics of the group that make the story appear real and set up the convincing representation of the fictitious people. Each character plays a particular role within the group and we believe them by their actions, gestures, speeches, feelings and emotions. Their identifiable, real, human qualities make them leap off the page and grab the reader's attention.

Conflict

Where would a story be without antagonism or opposition? Conflict emerges many ways through the story. (Good vs. Evil) Bacon learns that he is a part of a greater supernatural group (the Decnalabs) that has been struggling against their evil counterpart (the Tacamoc) for thousands and thousands of years. Bacon comes face to face with his enemy, the evil Warlock Zamra-Teg and has to make a decision between the one he loves and the dark side of his soul. (Inner struggle) One example of this is, Reggie Flannery. He deals with the mental struggle arising from opposing demands and impulses placed on him by the dark magic of Zamra-Teg, who tries to turn him away from his friends. (Physical) Bacon has to use his powers to save his friends, chop off the head of the Gorgon who wants to turn him to stone. In the end, a great battle between good and evil ensues and Bacon will have to kill Zamra-Teg. The three sisters have their own family struggle. Michalka the oldest child and merely by age is the boss. Inapsis the middle child wants to be her own person and the boss. Pru the youngest is always tagging along creating problems and many times is really the boss of the other two.

Theme

The truths transmitted through the storyline relate to our world. The magic, mythology, and mystical creatures of BACON'S QUEST: THE SWORD OF VIRTUE brings forth unifying themes that readers experience in their own lives. The unifying and principal motifs; like adoption, friendship, facing your fears, love, hate and deciding between right and wrong draw together a parallel between fantasy and real life.

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.

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