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One local writer makes her debut with aMesoamerican fantasynovel,and anothergoes to agalaxyfar,far away

BY SETH COMBS

For me,2021was the year Irealized just howmany amazing novelists called San Diego home. From “Sideways”authorRex Pickett, who publishedhis first mysterythisyear,tothe seemingly countlessnumber of crimeand thrillernovelists wholivehere, there just seemstobesomething in thewater.But 2022seems like it’s goingtobea year of fantasy andsci-fi.Hereare twothatI’m most looking forward to

“The Lost Dreamer” by Lizz Huerta

The first in aplanned young adult fantasy duology, “The Lost Dreamer” (Macmillan) is the years-in-the-making debut novel from local writer Lizz Huerta. Extensively researched and based on ancient Mesoamerican cultures of Central America, the story centers on the fictional kingdom of Alcanzeh, alargely utopian, matriarchal society that is upended by the return of King Alcan, who declares that he wants to put an end to the city’s traditional ways. While the book largely revolves around two protagonists, Indir and Saya, Huerta does an amazing job at building, piece by piece, afantastical world filled with magic, clairvoyance and mythology. What’s more, with its feminist themes and reverence for the Indigenous cultures of the Americas, it’s a much-welcomed departure from the predominantly White characters that make up most fantasy and YA stories. And while the book isn’t being released until March 1, there’s already alot of buzz about apossible TV or film adaptation. Full disclosure: Iconsider Huerta to be afriendand colleague, but having already read the book, Iwould recommend it even if that weren’t the case.

“Star Wars: Padawan” and “Hide” by Kiersten White Speakingofbuzz, many readersare hoping 2022 will bring the third book in local author Tomi Adeyemi’s “Legacy of Orisha”trilogy or, at the least, the Lucasfilm adaptation of the first book (2018’s“ChildrenofBlood and Bone”). Just as exciting in my opinion, is local fantasy writer Kiersten White being tapped by Disneytowrite “Star Wars: Padawan,” anew Star Wars novel about a young Obi-Wan Kenobiand set to be released in June. White, who lives in Carlsbad, is probably best known for her bestselling YA fantasy novels such as the “And I Darken”and “CamelotRising” trilogies. Since Disney alreadyhas astandalone Obi-Wantelevision series plannedfor 2022, White’s

COURTESY PHOTO book will be anice primer. If that weren’t enough White will also be publishing her firstadult novel, “Hide,” in May. Athrillerwith supernatural elements, the novel centers on agame of adult hide-and-seek where,if someone is caught, the consequencesare deadly.

“I can only work on one book at atime, but Iwork very, very quickly,” White told U-T columnist Diane Bell back in October. She certainlydoes Combs is afreelance writer.