Ruby Coral Carnelian

by Mary Borsellino

Where do you hide if the forces out to destroy you can find you anywhere? For three students on the run from cruel sorcerers, discovering an answer to that question is a matter of life and death. Del, an apprentice mage, Kelsie, a natural leader, and Nicholas, a born survivor, are in way over their heads and time is running out.

A rich, engrossing fairy tale from celebrated indie punk writer Mary Borsellino.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Queer, Fiction

118 pages, Paperback

First published May 14, 2013

About the author

Mary Borsellino has written fiction and essays about sci-fi and fantasy, including a book of academia about Robin the Boy Wonder and a critically acclaimed novel about what the Devil likes about rock and roll. They live in Australia. 

Reviews

[Kit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Above all else, Ruby Coral Carnelian is a book that knows exactly how long it needs to be. It doesn't draw out the plot for longer than it needs to, nor does it leave the reader feeling unsatisfied or robbed of what could have been.

One of this book's great strengths is its world-building. It's delivered in tidbits here and there, and always in a way that flows well. There aren't any lengthy exposition dumps, and the closest things to them are still delivered in a way that fits with the story and with the characters.

Speaking of this book's characters, they are where Ruby Coral Carnelian shines the most. Each character feels vivid and alive - their motivations are clear, their voices are all distinct.

The plot flows very nicely from one moment to another, never feeling too slow or too fast. The ending is satisfying, and well-deserved for each of the main characters.

I also adore how Del being Rowan being Aria is handled. Because of course
it wouldn't be realistic for someone with his life and his particular brand of messed-up-ness to go running off to be a princess. (And as a sidenote: yay for good nonbinary rep!)

[Faye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished this - I will attempt not to use the word spellbinding, though I'm sure the protagonist, Del, would approve; engrossing? - YA fantasy by Mary Borsellino and I had to review it right away.

The book draws you in with a fantastical but grounded and believable world that has realistic hierarchies, classes and social structures and, importantly, a sense of its own rules. I've definitely read a number of fantasy books that had few consequences for magic, and even when not plot-relevant (or seemingly not), Ruby Coral Carnelian knows power has weight to it. (Drat, couldn't resist a pun. You'll have to read to find out why.)

So for people like me who love a good bit of worldbuilding, that will grab you from the first. It's the characters that kept me reading though. Protagonist Del is an unexpected blend of awkward, damaged and fiercely loyal as well as charming and funny, and his relationship with siblings Nicholas and Kelsie - and how it develops from envy and impatience to respect and chosen family - is very compelling. Likewise, the twins are fully fleshed out and the trio develop each other very well through their interactions without need for heavyhanded narration. Borsellino is super talented in the art of character study and many times I wished I could just hang around with these characters as much as watch the plot progress.

My only complaint, really, is sort of the mirror to that. While the protagonists are well developed and snag the reader, I found myself lacking a little bit of creeping persistent evil that I would have loved from the Coral Sorcerer - I just wanted to know a bit more. He, and Del's backstory, both were things I could have read a lot more about.

Still, I wouldn't say that's a bad thing. The book definitely left me wanting a sequel that might expand on the lives of the characters after the book, or a prequel. (If by some magic each portion of the story - Ruby, Coral, and Carnelian - were all extended into stories about this length, I would be pleased as ...a very pleased thing!) Borsellino's writing is simply a bit sad to put down.

(Edit: As a YA fan since before I was ...a YA...and after, I also think young readers would not necessarily expect as much detail as I craved. Maybe some fanfic is in order.)

RCC also has Borsellino's trademark inclusion of (gender)queer characters that aren't defined by their identity, and an awareness of and distaste for social stratification, as well as the positive portrayal of chosen families. I love this in all her work but it is incredibly refreshing in a genre that rarely represents minority groups. In fact, it would be a great way to introduce nonbinary gender to kids without fuss.

I would recommend RCC to anyone of any age, but particularly fantasy oriented teens looking for strong characters regardless of gender and relatable teens. I know it reminded me of my favorite YA books such as Diane Duane's Young Wizards as well as things like Tamora Pierce.

[jimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby Coral Carnelian by Mary Borsellino is a book, first and foremost about misused and emotionally neglected children fiercely and aggressively claiming their own personhood, and their own found family.

It’s a theme that resonates with me so much that it makes me want to weep.

It’s about body autonomy, about how sometimes the ugliness that life leaves you scarred with, also defines you, and how it doesn’t have to be a bad thing to be the walking wounded.

Del, a child orphaned and then somehow found his way into the clutches of a powerful wizard, is raised and used as a magician’s apprentice. It is not an easy or comfortable life.

He is fleeing the terrible conclusion of his situation, when his ex-master’s stepchildren need his help.

And he goes to their aid, out of a sense of nostalgia, which changes to duty, and then to familial love, as the three of them run from the magical forces and practitioners that hunt them.

Ruby Coral Carnelian is full of moments where I have to catch my breath because this is the story of three children who are in a world where there isn’t easy fixes or kindness behind every smile.

Nothing about Del, or Kelsie or Nicholas is easy. They aren’t instantly recognisable children archetype characters.

Kelsie is terrifying, a bright powerful spark of a person who can make brutal decisions easy, and though she might feel sad, she doesn’t regret.

Nicholas is volatile and emotional, quick tempered, and unable to keep from speaking.

Where his sister pulls her pain into her core and maintains a strong front, Nicholas wears everything on his sleeve, and it takes time to break through to him that yes, there can still be things to be happy about.

And Del. Del, self named, self contained, self freed. Del doesn’t understand why he cares but he does. Del’s story is someone who has never been allowed any value, any recognition as a human being, and then there are these children who love him, who are annoyed at him, who resent him, who care for and believe in him.

Kelsie’s power comes from a selfish, all encompassing love, love like only children who have been denied something crucial can possess. These are hers, her family, her own. Nicholas never questions it, Del can’t comprehend it, but they are her power.

This isn’t a very good review, I know. I just, wanted to try and get out how vital and beautiful and vicious this book is.

I want more, more in this world, with it’s unique, interesting magic set up. More with these characters, as they age and bloom and transform.

Ruby Coral Carnelian is a short book, it feels like a mouthful and then you end up sighing and wanting to eat more and more, but there’s nothing left on your plate.

At the same time, its a self contained story that sets up a rich, wonderful, world and people in it, and its the sort of story that ends with hope.

It’s a book I love now, and would have adored so very fiercely when I was a young teen.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

It would take a harder heart than mine to resist this short (novella-length) fantasy tale, combining as it does so many of my favorite things: apprentice wizards, lost princesses, plucky runaways, sinister boarding schools, and battles of wits with evil sorcerers. The plot in a nutshell: three teenagers flee from a pair of evil spellcasters (the Ruby Warlock and the Coral Sorcerer), and must learn to trust in each other and their own strengths in order to survive.

Ruby Coral Carnelian proceeds with the logic of dreams, which pays off in lovely moments like the one where the protagonists enchant themselves down to miniature size and catch a ride on the wings of a seagull. At the same time there's a modern, real-world sensibility at work in the treatment of themes such as abuse or nonconforming gender identity. Borsellino is a fine writer, and the plot unspools at a swift and absorbing pace.

The three protagonists are each likable in their own ways, and while the fantasy setting isn't very fleshed out, the magic system is given some unique and vivid touches. It's a world that could embrace expansion: the story is stand-alone, but rich enough to support sequels. A quick, fun read.

[Sarahisquiethere · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I enjoyed this book very much, I'm not sure if I can recommend it to other people, because I literally screamed with dismay when it was over.
I love and adore all the characters, even the 'evil' characters were written interestingly, but it was the main trio who really captured my heart.
They were very real to me as I was reading it and I always had a clear sense of the emotions they were feeling, which is a very valuable thing to me.
I feel like there was a lot of wisdom in this story, so many lessons to learn. And not in this super obnoxious way where the author makes a character say something smart and dogmatic and you're supposed to be grateful and take it to heart. The way the wisdom was 'dished out' here felt much more organic and I don't know, I just believe that these kids would be wisecracking it.
So yes, I enjoyed this greatly, I had heard of the superbe worldbuilding, and I have to say I agree wholeheartedly, it's very delightful.
The only downside was, that it was so short. You know when you're reading a good book and the number of pages left for you to read are dwindling and you hate everything? that's what happened here.
Many kudos to the author for writing a truly wonderful, heart-wrenching and also heart-warming book.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! On the surface it's a fun read, with the perfect amount of adventure to keep you engaged and guessing! However, underneath all that, it's a wonderful portrayal of what real family can be. I loved the characters, and I would definitely love to read more of their adventures together! Definitely a great fantasy story, without any needless complexity or fluff.

[Lauren Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby Coral Carnelian kept me turning the pages until the very end. Engrossing, tightly written, where everything that happens happens for a reason, it's a novel I'd recommend for all ages. Del in particular is one of the most intriguing characters I've read about recently; Mary has a knack for writing memorable, colourful characters.

[Narrelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

You may have read before how very much I love the work of Mary Borsellino. Well, here’s some more of that love heading your way.

Borsellino’s latest is a shortish YA fantasy called Ruby Coral Carnelian. The title is a reference to this world’s wizards, the kind of magic they use and their willingness (and success) in using blood magic.

The story sees Del, assistant to the Ruby Warlock, discovering the wizard intends to sell him on to another wizard and realizing that this isn’t going to end well. As Del plans to run, he discovers that one of the Ruby Warlock’s twin step-children, away at boarding school, is in trouble and that the other plans to rescue him. Del ends up helping, and he, Nicholas and Kelsie end up on the run, escaping from powerful people who mean them harm.

So far, so straightforward, and it gets difficult to provide details without also providing spoilers. As always with Borsellino’s work, there is more going on than a simple plot explanation can reveal. The characters are flawed yet sympathetic, the story taking some unexpected turns as they learn about themselves and each other.

Ruby Coral Carnelian initially reminded me of my old favourite Diana Wynne Jones. Like many of Jones’s books, here’s a tale that partly explores what happens when kids learn that the adults in their life aren’t necessarily dependable, and are possibly even dangerous, and must fend for themselves and grow up at the same time.

Adding texture to this are themes relating to gender identity, concepts of privilege, the assumptions we make, and even notions of disability and wholeness.

In trying to capture the flavour of this book, I told a friend ‘imagine Diana Wynne Jones pencilled the art, but then it was inked by a Vertigo artist’.

So that’s sort of it. The core of a story that feels as traditional and as sound as a book by the late great Jones, but with its own freshness (and darkness) that explores new territory and reaches different conclusions.

There are many reasons why I think Mary Borsellino is one of the great underappreciated genre writers this country has to offer. The way she combines horror and compassion. Her capacity to create detailed, believable worlds full of cruelty and beauty. Her splendid characterisation. Her queer sensibilities and sure sense of creating people with real flaws and imperfections that are somehow both very real and simply perfect.

Frankly, I know the hyperbole is a lot for a writer to live up to, but also frankly, I have never yet been disappointed by one of her books. I struggle more to tame my praise than to find enough adjectives to add.

If you’re not sure you want to tackle Borsellino’s longer works like The Wolf House or The Devil’s Mixtape, give Ruby Coral Carnelian a try to see if what makes me pretty much get a literary boner speaks to you too.

[Denoramae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a solid 4-1/2 star junior/ya chapter book. The story follows the adventures of Del, a sorcerers apprentice and his sort of step siblings Kelsie and Nicholas. Their adventures are full of twists and painful discoveries along the way. Del has not much practice in dealing socially with others. Kelsie is very good as a leader because she always has a clear goal in mind. Nicholas, her twin, loves his sister but has 3 B traits - brave, bold and bratty.

Mary Borsellino has written a well organized and plotted book. It pulls the reader through quickly. It is short enough to keep a young reader going and long enough to give them satisfaction of having read a true book. I liked the characters and felt like they were well fleshed out without being bored. There are some questions that the reader has to answer for themselves and some speculations that make you wonder what could possibly happen next. I would happily pick up another book by this author anytime.

[Mercurybard · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the first paragraph, you know this isn't just going to be a re-hashing of fairy tale tropes--the narrator, Del, has too much insight for something as limited as that. (His insight is that of an isolated outsider watching people like they are another species, confusing and alien.)

The magic, though, is that of Grimm--swapping body parts (and how amazing is that? We talk about giving people our hearts or lending hands or seeing through another person's eyes, but these children can literally give someone their hand--which turns into a crucial plot point--or switch eyes) and shrinking down small enough to fly on the back of a seagull. A quick read that stuck with me for days after I put it down.

[Leon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short but very engaging story. Memorable characters, so long as you put some work into understanding the subtleties of each character. With it being so short, a lot of character development is more implied than explicitly stated/shown. But if you look for it you can see how each character has grown and changed by the end of the story. The book also has some interesting bits about gender, and gender fluidity. I won't go into too much detail on that, but as a genderqueer/non binary person, I very much appreciated that.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys stories with fantastical elements, so long as they understand it is a short read. I'd quite happily read a much longer book about these characters, or perhaps a series of books.

[Belinda Rule · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Mary is a bud of mine.)

This is awesome and I read it in one sitting. Very like a dark moment of Diana Wynne-Jones. If I have a complaint it's that I thought the final confrontation was with the wrong villain, and left the protagonist's character arc unresolved.

[Ngaio · Rating 3 out of 5]

A deceptively simple story: a runaway with magical skills, aiding siblings to save themselves become a surprisingly complex story of identity, chosen family, and the sacrifices to be made.