Where the Dark Stands Still

Growing up in the fictional country of Orlica, where magic practitioners are seen as dangerous heretics, 17-year-old Liska Radost has spent her life desperately trying to suppress her powers. After a particularly disastrous magical outburst, Liska sets out for Driada, a perilous spirit-infested forest, to find a way to rid herself of magic. Liska soon encounters the Leszy, the monstrous warden of the wood who vows to grant her wish in exchange for a year’s servitude to him. Liska settles into her new life and begins forging a strange friendship with the Leszy’s crumbling manor, a talking cat-shaped spirit, and even her surly, enigmatic steward. As something even older and more dangerous than the Leszy stirs within Driada, Liska is forced to delve not only into the dark secrets surrounding her host, but also confront her own traumatic past in hopes of saving those she loves most. Interweaving harrowing scenes of demon hunting terror with quiet moments of domestic life simmering with romantic tension, Poranek employs lush prose to craft a Polish folklore and culture–influenced fantasy realm through which the debut author capably examines themes of trauma, repression, and the healing power of unconditional acceptance. Liska has olive skin and the Leszy is described as “ashen.” Ages 14–up. Agent: Victoria Marini, Irene Goodman Literary. (Feb.)