I am writing a story where it first starts following a child. He starts going to a "magic school". So, the first impression readers get is hogwarts-ishy. But the problem is I want them to treat it like a serious story and a story that is not for children. Not much later, there is a scene that is darker. It is a scene with violence used against a child by a "teacher". But until they reach that scene, they may get a wrong impression and have different expectations for the story. At first it may feel Harry Potter-ish.
Some may say that The Magicians was the same but that is not quite true because The Magicians was already darker from the beginning.
What do you think? Should I try to make it more obvious from the beginning? What would you recommend?
Some may say that The Magicians was the same but that is not quite true because The Magicians was already darker from the beginning.
What do you think? Should I try to make it more obvious from the beginning? What would you recommend?