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The Witcher meets Naomi Novik in this fast-paced fantasy rooted in Slavic folklore, from an assured new voice in genre fiction.
As a witch in the walled city of Chernograd, Kosara has plenty of practice treating lycanthrope bites, bargaining with kikimoras, and slaying bloodsucking upirs. There's only one monster she can't defeat: her ex, the Zmey, known as the Tsar of Monsters. She's defied him one too many times and now he's hunting her. Betrayed by someone close to her, Kosara's only choice is to trade her shadow―the source of her powers―for a quick escape.
Unfortunately, Kosara soon develops the deadly sickness that plagues shadowless witches―and only reclaiming her magic can cure her. To find it, she's forced to team up with a suspiciously honorable detective. Even worse, all the clues point in a single direction: To get her shadow back, Kosara will have to face the Foul Days' biggest threats without it. And she's only got twelve days.
But in a city where everyone is out for themselves, who can Kosara trust to assist her in outwitting the biggest monster from her past?
1
It was nearly midnight on New Year's Eve, but the city inside the Wall didn't celebrate. The people there knew the birth of a new year was—like any birth—difficult, painful, and dangerous.
Only one pub, nestled in the snowdrifts between Chernograd's tall spires, was open that night. It was packed but hushed. The patrons huddled close together, rubbing shoulders as they lifted their glasses. The corner table, hidden in a cloud of pipe smoke, was particularly quiet. It was Kosara's turn to bet, and she took her time.
Being the best at cards wouldn't be enough to win tonight: she had to be the best at cheating. And to cheat, she needed that damned fireplace to burn brighter.
"Well?" Roksana said, plum rakia dripping down her chin. It landed on the table, glistening in the dim electric lamplight like droplets of amber. The two golden beads tying her thick braids glinted, contrasting against her tanned skin. Her fingers drummed on the deck of cards, ready to deal. "Are you in?"
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