““Foul Days” by Genoveva Dimova is a fast-paced fantasy novel rooted in Slavic folklore. The story follows Kosara, a witch in the walled city of Chernograd, who faces lycanthropes, kikimoras, and bloodsucking upirs. Her ex, the Zmey (known as the Tsar of Monsters), hunts her, and she must trade her shadow—the source of her powers—for a quick escape. Unfortunately, she develops a deadly sickness that only reclaiming her magic can cure. To find it, she teams up with a suspiciously honorable detective. The novel combines monsters, magic, and a parallel supernatural realm, offering a fresh perspective on Bulgarian folklore.
Main Characters
Certainly! In “Foul Days” by Genoveva Dimova, the main character is Kosara, a witch living in the walled city of Chernograd. Here are some key details about her:
- Kosara:
- A skilled witch who tames rusalkas, fights kikimoras, and brews lycanthrope repellent.
- Defied her ex, the Zmey (known as the Tsar of Monsters), one too many times.
- Forced to trade her shadow—the source of her powers—for illegal passage across the Wall to Belograd.
- Develops a fast-acting version of the deadly wasting sickness that affects shadowless witches.
- Teams up with a suspiciously honorable detective to trace her shadow and reclaim her magic.
Plot
Certainly! In “Foul Days” by Genoveva Dimova, the story unfolds in the walled city of Chernograd during the Foul Days, which are the 12 days after New Year’s Day. Here are the key plot points:
- Kosara:
- A fire witch living in Chernograd.
- Her ex, the Zmey (known as the Tsar of Monsters), has hunted her since she left him seven years ago.
- Kosara’s only hope is to trade her shadow—the source of her powers—for illegal passage across the Wall to Belograd, where monsters can’t follow.
- In Belograd, she develops a fast-acting version of the deadly wasting sickness that affects shadowless witches.
- To reclaim her magic, she teams up with a suspiciously honorable detective investigating a smuggler’s death.
- Clues lead to a crack in the Wall, and Kosara’s magic is now in the Zmey’s hands.
- The clock is ticking, and she must outwit the Monster who has haunted her for years
Settings
“Foul Days” by Genoveva Dimova is a dark fantasy novel rooted in Slavic folklore. Let me immerse you in the atmospheric world of this captivating story:
- Setting:
- Chernograd: A walled city where the story begins. Kosara, our fire witch protagonist, resides here. Each year during the Foul Days, which span the 12 days after New Year’s Day, Chernograd faces attacks from terrifying folkloric monsters. Among them is Kosara’s ex, the Zmey (known as the Tsar of Monsters), who has hunted her relentlessly since she left him seven years ago.
- Belograd: The city beyond the Wall, where monsters cannot follow. Kosara seeks refuge here, but life takes a dark turn. She develops a fast-acting version of the deadly wasting sickness that affects shadowless witches. To reclaim her magic, she must trace her shadow and team up with a suspiciously honorable detective investigating a smuggler’s death.
- The Wall: The barrier separating Chernograd from Belograd. Clues lead to a crack in the Wall, and Kosara’s magic falls into the Zmey’s hands.
Theme
“Foul Days” by Genoveva Dimova weaves together timeless qualities of dark fairy tales with contemporary sensibilities. Here’s the theme in a nutshell:
The novel explores Bulgarian folklore against the backdrop of a walled city and the twelve days after New Year’s Day, known as the Foul Days.
Conclusion
Certainly! In the conclusion of “Foul Days” by Genoveva Dimova, Kosara faces a race against time. Here’s what unfolds:
- Kosara’s Dilemma:
- Kosara, the witch who traded her shadow for escape, now suffers from the deadly sickness that plagues shadowless witches.
- To reclaim her magic, she must find her shadow within twelve days.
- Unfortunately, all the clues lead in one direction: She must face the Foul Days’ biggest threats without her shadow.
- Trust and Survival:
- In a city where everyone is out for themselves, Kosara grapples with whom to trust.
- Her ex, the Zmey (known as the Tsar of Monsters), relentlessly hunts her.
- The stakes are high—her life and magic hang in the balance.
- Imaginative and Ominous:
- “Foul Days” weaves Bulgarian folklore into a fast-paced fantasy adventure.
- Dark fairy tale elements blend with contemporary sensibilities, creating an atmospheric and captivating read.
