''Fireworks and Darkness'' is a 2002

young adult In medicine and the social sciences, a young adult is generally a person in the years following adolescence, sometimes with some overlap. Definitions and opinions on what qualifies as a young adult vary, with works such as Erik Erikson's stages ...

novel by

Natalie Jane Prior Natalie Jane Prior is an Australian writer of children's literature and young adult fiction. Biography Prior was born in 1963 in Brisbane, Australia, where she also currently lives with her husband and daughter. She is best known for her inte ...

. It follows the story of Simeon Runciman who is a firework maker and former dark magician who is caught up in murder and magic when his enemy reappears. It is followed by a companion book entitled ''Star Locket'' which was published in 2006.

Background

''Fireworks and Darkness'' was first published in Australia on 1 May 2002 by

Angus & Robertson Angus & Robertson (A&R) is a major Australian bookseller, publisher and printer. As book publishers, A&R has contributed substantially to the promotion and development of Australian literature.Alison, Jennifer (2001). "Publishers and editors: A ...

in trade paperback format. In 2006 it was re-released in

mass market paperback A paperback (softcover, softback) book is one with a thick paper or paperboard cover, also known as wrappers, and often held together with glue rather than stitches or staples. In contrast, hardback (hardcover) books are bound with cardboar ...

format. ''Fireworks and Darkness'' won the 2003

Davitt Award The Davitt Awards are literary awards which are presented annually by the Sisters in Crime Australia association. The awards are named in honour of Ellen Davitt (1812–1879) who wrote Australia's first mystery novel, ''Force and Fraud'' in 186 ...

for best young-adult novel and was a short-list nominee for the 2002

Aurealis Award for best young-adult novel ''Aurealis'' is an Australian speculative fiction magazine published by Chimaera Publications, and is Australia's longest running small-press science-fiction and fantasy magazine. The magazine is based in Melbourne. History and profile ''Aurealis ...

but lost to '' The Hand of Glory'' by

Sophie Masson Sophie Masson is a French-Australian fantasy and children's author. Early life and education Sophie Masson was born in Indonesia of French parents who are of mixed ancestry (French, Basque, Spanish and Portuguese). Masson, the third in a f ...

Synopsis

It follows the story of Simeon Runciman, who is a firework maker and former dark magician who is caught up in murder and magic when his enemy reappears.

References

2002 Australian novels Australian young adult novels Young adult fantasy novels Australian fantasy novels 2002 fantasy novels Angus & Robertson books {{2000s-ya-novel-stub