Cirrus@Austlit

In the tradition of Sergei Lukyanenko’s Nightwatch, ‘Cry of the Firebird’ draws on the dark, bloody fairy tales of Russia and the wild magic of the Kalevala.

'After her grandfather’s gruesome murder, Anya is visited by Tuoni, the Finnish God of the Underworld, who tells her that for centuries her family has protected the gates to Skazki, the Russian Otherworld. If Anya doesn’t sober up and awaken the dormant magic inside of her she will be dead within the year, the power of the gates seized by ancient enemies seeking to unleash the horrors of the Otherworld into modern day Russia.

'Drawn unwillingly into a deadly battle, the only person Anya can trust is the mysterious Yvan, a Skazki Prince who is forced to share his body with a powerful firebird.

'Hunted through perilous Skazki Anya tries to control her unstable magic as black magic users, ancient cannibalistic witches and horrific beasts seek to destroy her.

'Can Anya harness the magic inside of her in time to protect the gates? Or will her new allies betray her for a place in the new world?

'Finnish-Australian writer Amy Kuivalainen debuts an urban fantasy novel that draws you into a world of reinvented myths, potent magic and fighting the darkness that lingers in us all. ' (Publication summary)

'Shaman. Gate Keeper. Rogue.

'Anya's magic is keeping Russia safe but not without a price. Her mind broken from the last battle with the dark magician Ladislav, Anya is trapped in the Land of Dreams and is fighting like hell to get back to her body.

'Branded as Rogues and hunted by the supernatural world Anya's friends take her unconscious body to Budapest, a place of new allies where they will be safe. They begin the search for Yanka, Anya's ancestor and the only person in history with enough power to change the tide of the brewing war.

'But something stronger than all of them is prowling the streets of Budapest, something not quite human and trained to kill.' (Publication summary)