June & the Star
An illustrated fantasy novel for ages 11+. In progress.
June emerges from Limin Pond into a magical, dangerous forest. Guided by the light of a fallen star, she sets out to rescue three missing brothers, and finds a land where something is twisting minds and corrupting the landscape. To bring them home, she’ll have to see through the lies and trust her own judgment.
About Alanna
My journey as a writer began unexpectedly—what started as a children’s storybook idea evolved into a young adult novel, blending my passions for illustration and narrative. I’m currently working on my first novel, June and the Star, a fantasy adventure inspired by some of my favorite childhood books, like The Chronicles of Narnia and Coraline. Through June's journey, I aim to explore themes of empathy, critical thinking, and resilience in a world filled with complex ideologies and choices.
I believe that young readers today face unique challenges in a world shaped by digital media and information overload. My hope is that June and the Star will offer a lens through which they can learn to question, empathize, and discover their own inner compass.
If you'd like to join me on this journey, from storytelling insights to illustrations, feel free to subscribe to my newsletter.
I found Nolan's Odyssey highly annoying because its dialogue is flat and because it strips back the fantasy elements: Athena becomes a hallucination, Calypso’s enchantment becomes a drug habit, and the Sirens' song is reduced to Odysseus's regrets. Instead of leading us into Elfland, the film builds a highway to Poughkeepsie.