Meghan Nesmith's debut novel, A World Apart, brings a vivid blend of magic and romance to Victorian London, inspired by a friend's request for an engaging story. "Write me something fun," they said, leading her to develop the tale of Kit and Wil. Nesmith shared over a video call from Boston that she never initially intended to write a novel, viewing it as a distant dream. Instead, she aimed to create something joyful rather than succumbing to the pressures of the traditional writing process.
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A World Apart is described as a historical fantasy romance rich with magic, love, ancient fae, and adventure, reminiscent of Freya Marske's The Last Binding trilogy and Maiga Doocy's Sorcery and Small Magics. The narrative alternates between two young men, Kit and Wilfrith, known as Wil. Kit, the Honourable Christopher Edward Finchley, is a magician in Victorian London under the tutelage of Lady Mansfield. His fascination with magic, considered a mere pastime by his family, leads him to uncover a world where belief in magic can alter reality. Nesmith writes, "Kit… saw the world as it truly was, awash in magic, if only you had the willingness to seize it."
In his quest to master a harmless charm, Kit accidentally discovers a portal to another realm, where farmhand Wil has been trapped for over 800 years since the Norman invasion. The love that develops between Kit and Wil deepens as Kit grows more powerful in his magic. However, their love story faces challenges from the faerie queen, a cunning supernatural being who guards her domain fiercely.
Nesmith’s journey back to writing fantasy came after years of exploring magical realism, prompted by a desire to rekindle the joy she felt in childhood. She recalls that a challenging time in her life led her to remember the joy and purpose of storytelling. The contentment she found in revisiting her childhood passions fueled her to write A World Apart, which she hoped would resonate with readers who might feel disheartened by external views on artistic endeavors.
The novel’s early chapters are infused with humor and the notion that the world is filled with unseen magic. As the story evolves, it delves into darker themes where the tension between magic and power grows, culminating in Lady Mansfield's warning: "No matter how powerful you feel, magic will always have the upper hand."
Nesmith expresses a fascination with what she terms "thin places," where the boundaries between worlds are blurred. She prefers stories where an unseen world exists alongside our own, waiting to be discovered. In her personal life, the narrative of A World Apart was influenced by her journey through motherhood, as she began writing before her first child was born and continued during her children's early years.
The faerie queen in the book embodies both terror and protectiveness, reflecting Nesmith's own experiences of motherhood. Readers can expect more stories featuring Kit, Wil, and the faerie queen, as the narrative unfolds, leaving fans eager for the next installment. A World Apart celebrates the beauty of storytelling and the magic that is possible when one dares to believe.