Craving more adventure than his small Russian village can give him, Vasily goes to war. He promises his girlfriend, Valasha, that he'll be back by winter, but winter comes and goes more than once. By the time he returns, Valasha has been dead for a year, and she's become one of the Rusalky--soulless, death-bringing maidens residing in the river, whose souls are imprisoned by the merciless Vodany and whose visits to the village fields for moonlight dancing are said to bring good luck. When a spying Vasily sees Valasha dancing under the moonlight, he realizes that he cannot move on without her. Despite temporal cues (e.g. a story involving a traveling university student) this fantasy feels as timeless and classic as the tale of Russian witch Baba Yaga. De Rosa's effective use of detail creates a rich cultural tapestry that enhances the story beyond its plot and haunting images. Featuring creatures from Russian mythology and a bit of Christian lore, this chilly first novel and well-produced ebook original is a real find for fantasy and adult fairy tale readers.
"It makes you smile, and then it makes you cry. It sends a shiver up your spine and puts a warm feeling in your heart at the same time. ...Wonderful."
I was entranced and riveted. Never a dull moment throughout the story. A fairytale for grown-ups, the stuff legends are made of.
This is a beautiful book that, in olden times would have been bound in scarlet and gold. A treasure to be read over and over when the cold winds blow and the fire burns low in the hearth. Just reading it brings on those feelings of enchantment and wonder. It is a book of dark deeds and passion that will keep you reading long into the night. Cenizas de Rosas is an author worth remembering!
Note: I have a short story archived at this site, "On Silver Wings", dedicated to those who lost their lives on that day in September.
"For those who have perished on September 11, 2001, may their stars shine brightly for all of us in the coming days. Perhaps it will be said that they have joined Amelia's star and will shine for all the "silver birds" in the sky and guide them safely home."
What LoTR Character Are You?