The Curse of Shadows by AK Wilder is a gripping and atmospheric young adult fantasy novel. Set in a world where magic is both feared and coveted, the story follows the journey of a young girl named Sable who must unravel the mysteries of her past and confront an ancient curse. Sable is a Shadowchaser, a skilled warrior who hunts and destroys rogue shadows that threaten the balance of her world. But Sable has always felt an unexplained connection to shadows, and her unique abilities make her both feared and ostracized by the people she is sworn to protect. When a powerful shadow prince emerges from the depths of darkness, Sable's life is forever changed. As Sable sets out on a dangerous quest to uncover the truth about her heritage and the curse that haunts her, she joins forces with a group of unlikely allies.
As Sable sets out on a dangerous quest to uncover the truth about her heritage and the curse that haunts her, she joins forces with a group of unlikely allies. Together, they navigate treacherous landscapes and confront terrifying creatures. Along the way, Sable discovers the true power of friendship, the strength of her own magic, and the importance of embracing her shadows.
New owners bring their own magic to Magic Mugs
Chloe Hanenkrat and Derek Morgan plan to keep the best of Magic Mugs while adding new specialty items and creating a space to relax and enjoy live music.
When Lee and Shelly Beitzel opened Magic Mugs in downtown Dover just three years ago, they couldn’t have realized they would face so many unexpected challenges, not least of which was a global pandemic.
The coffee shop was successful nonetheless and has now been passed to a new pair of owners, Chloe Hanenkrat and Derek Morgan. They bring plenty of experience to their new business, and Magic Mugs has continued the steady traffic that has been the norm since the beginning.
“We started Oct. 1 with a sort of soft opening, then opened fully the following Monday,” Hanenkrat said. “Lee and Shelly really set us up for infinite success. They made sure things were fully stocked. They made sure their regular customers knew about the transition and were excited, so it was really seamless.”
“We’ve both worked in coffee shops for years,” Morgan said. “I have to say there have been no real surprises. It’s gone very smoothly.”
The couple met three years ago and have lived in several cities since.
“Having a coffee shop has been the plan since the beginning after we met,” Hanenkrat said. “I worked here when Magic Mugs first opened 3 1/2 years ago, and when Lee posted that the business was for sale, my mom sent us a message and asked if we would like to move back home if they helped us buy the coffee shop, and we were excited about that right away. I really didn’t want to see it go to a new owner who would get rid of the magic of the place.”
The pair have been planning to bring their own magic to Magic Mugs, with lots of plans for additions and expansions. “We are in brainstorming and training mode of course, but we plan to add a lot more food to the menu and bring some live performers in,” Hanenkrat said.
“Yes, we’ll definitely want to add music. That is one of my own main focuses is to bring live music to Magic Mugs, and that can be shows with touring bands and local musicians,” Morgan said, “but also do live sessions which would go to a YouTube channel. We definitely want to be a place for artists to come.”
“We love the specialty drinks that have been here all along, and we are keeping those,” Hanenkrat said, “and we are also starting to work on our own specialty offerings. We want to add a panini menu, and we’re looking into getting a license so we can have special events with beer and wine a couple times a month. We want to create a brunch menu and add that. We both served as bartenders for brunch offerings so that’s something we’re excited about doing. We’re starting slow with soups and sandwiches, but we have capacity to add more.”
“We’ll start small and build from there. We’re here to stay and want to get things running to their full potential,” Morgan said.
The couple met in Akron when Morgan was playing with a band there while living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Hanenkrat is a Dover native while Morgan grew up in the Toledo area. Finding each other on social media after a brief introduction, they began dating.
“I asked after the concert if there was anything I could help carry. He answered, ‘Well, you can carry me.’ So I did, all the way up the stairs. Of course, he had to come right back down to get the equipment and carry it himself,” Hanenkrat said.
Meanwhile, the interior space at Magic Mugs is getting a little tweaking. “We spotted a couple of couches, one of which we are having reupholstered. It’s straight out of the ‘60s,” Hanenkrat said. “We want to add more comfy seating and have a bookshelf in one corner. We definitely want it to be a place where you want to come and hang out and relax a little.”
Magic Mugs is at 237 W. Third St. in Dover and on Facebook.
“Having a coffee shop has been the plan since the beginning after we met,” Hanenkrat said. “I worked here when Magic Mugs first opened 3 1/2 years ago, and when Lee posted that the business was for sale, my mom sent us a message and asked if we would like to move back home if they helped us buy the coffee shop, and we were excited about that right away. I really didn’t want to see it go to a new owner who would get rid of the magic of the place.”
The Curse of Shadows is a beautifully written and imaginative novel that explores themes of identity, belonging, and the impact of personal choices. AK Wilder paints a vivid and richly detailed world, filled with complex characters and high-stakes adventure. The story is filled with twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. What sets The Curse of Shadows apart is its exploration of the concept of shadows as both literal and metaphorical. Wilder skillfully weaves in themes of light and darkness, good and evil, and the blurred lines between them. The protagonist's struggle with her own shadows mirrors a deeper societal conflict, making the story feel timely and relevant. Overall, The Curse of Shadows is a captivating and thought-provoking read that will appeal to fans of fantasy and young adult literature. AK Wilder's masterful storytelling and heartfelt characters make this novel an unforgettable journey into the power of embracing one's true self, shadows and all..
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