A Study of Shattered Spells

Chintor Academy is celebrated as the place where the best music mages are forged. But beneath the surface, bullies rule with cruelty, teachers scheme against each other, and the student destined to save their nation is far from ready. 

Kalina didn’t know what she was getting into when she agreed to teach at Chintor. Now, as a first-year teacher, she’s tasked with finishing the training of this prophesied violinist. Their nation’s sworn enemies are nearing victory, and she has mere months to prepare him before their country collapses.

When Kalina uncovers the abuse of a vulnerable student, she’s thrust into a dangerous dilemma. Exposing the school’s underbelly means she’ll be fired and unable to prepare their hero. Keeping quiet means her students will suffer. 

The fate of the nation—and her soul—hangs in the balance.

Josiah DeGraaf taught high school English for four years in the small North Carolina town that inspired the Andy Griffith show. During that time, he learned what normal schools were like (he was homeschooled as a child) and how teachers didn’t quite act like Harry Potter suggested they did, which helped to inspire this book. 

After helping high schoolers enjoy Homer and Austen, he moved to small town Pennsylvania, where he currently resides as a writer and writing teacher. He is the Program Director of The Young Writer’s Workshop and the Features Editor for Lorehaven.