Princeton is a long way from Bulgaria, but Thea Slavin is
determined to follow her dream. Her talented skills with
the piano have opened doors for her but the differences
in the two cultures are a bit overwhelming. However, her
focus changes when an enigmatic stranger shows up at her
first piano performance and now Thea finds herself
delving into the mythical world of the samodivi (also
known as wildalones) and her own past history. What
secrets will Thea find lurking beneath the surface of the
Princeton college campus?
WILDALONE is the first book in a new series that delves
into Bulgarian and Greek mythology. I love the way Krassi
Zourkova combines the mythologies and makes the story of
Orpheus seem fresh and new while introducing us to the
Bulgarian tales of the Samodivi. The brooding atmosphere
of WILDALONE is perfect for the storyline as Krassi
Zourkova has a gift at crafting an eerie, haunting
ambiance.
However, the romantic angle of WILDALONE is for a far
different audience than me. I found myself getting
frustrated with Thea and her determination to always make
the more dangerous choices. There is a romantic triangle
and I commend Krassi Zourkova for putting an interesting
twist on it. Unfortunately, as a social worker I kept
fussing at Thea for all the "red flags" I saw in the
relationship and therefore wasn't able to enjoy the
romance. Fortunately, her friend and residential college
advisor, Rita, also points out the red flags and this
kept me reading as I hoped against hope that Thea would
listen to Rita.
WILDALONE is a lush, beautifully written tale that weaves
together Greek and Bulgarian mythology. Krassi Zourkova's
eloquent use of language evokes all of the senses as she
crafts a tale that haunts the reader. I will probably
read the second book in hopes that we will see Thea
maturing and learning to differentiate between healthy
and unhealthy relationships.
In this enchanting and darkly imaginative debut novel full
of myth, magic, romance, and mystery, a Princeton freshman
is drawn into a love triangle with two enigmatic brothers,
and discovers terrifying secrets about her family and
herself—a bewitching blend of Twilight, The Secret
History,
Jane Eyre, and A Discovery of Witches.
Arriving at Princeton for her freshman year, Thea Slavin
finds herself alone, a stranger in a strange land. Away
from
her family and her Eastern European homeland for the first
time, she struggles to adapt to unfamiliar American ways
and
the challenges of college life—including an enigmatic
young
man whose brooding good looks and murky past intrigue her.
Falling into a romantic entanglement with Rhys and his
equally handsome and mysterious brother, Jake, soon draws
Thea into a sensual mythic underworld as irresistible as
it
is dangerous.
In this shadow world that seems to mimic Greek mythology
and
the Bulgarian legends of the Samodivi or “wildalones”—
forest
witches who beguile and entrap men—she will discover a
shocking secret that threatens everything she holds dear.
And when the terrifying truth about her own family is
revealed, it will transform her forever . . . if she falls
under its spell.
Mesmerizing and addictive, The Wildalone is a thrilling
blend of the modern and the fantastic. Krassi Zourkova
creates an atmospheric world filled with rich characters
as
fascinating and compelling as those of Diana Gabaldon,
Deborah Harkness, and Stephenie Meyer.
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