Belladonna meets Norse mythology in this "sinuous dark fantasy" (School Library Journal) that follows a teen who accidentally awakens an imprisoned draugr and must follow him into a deadly magical forest to rescue her grandmother.
Never go beyond the stave church.
Within Tiveden Forest, bloodthirsty monsters known as draugr lurk behind every tree, and secrets run through the soil like twisted roots. When her grandmother vanishes into the forest, Astrid won't let Crohn's disease get in the way of finding her. But in searching for her lost loved one, Astrid soon uncovers an even greater mystery:
A conflict that's haunted her village and family for generations.
An ancient blood oath her ancestor made to protect them.
A deadly draugr imprisoned for centuries…who Astrid accidentally awakens.
Newly revived, Soren first mistakes Astrid for her ancestor, his ex-lover turned enemy. Astrid can't tell if he would rather kill her or kiss her. But Soren knows the forest better than anyone, and Astrid quickly realizes that she'll need his help to rescue her grandmother.
The deeper they venture into Tiveden, the closer Astrid gets to the cold, alluring Soren and the truth behind her grandmother's disappearance. To save her home, a dark ritual must be performed before Midwinter-and only Astrid can fulfill her ancestor's blood oath…or break it.
That is, if Soren-or the forest-doesn't break Astrid first. Crystal Seitz is the author of 89 Seconds to Midnight, Beast Becomes Her, and Inheritance of Scars. After being diagnosed with Crohn's disease, she set out to write the representation she needed: fantasy and dystopian stories starring disabled heroines. She lives in Boston, where she spends most of her time designing websites, crafting stories, or consuming too much coffee. Visit her online at CrystalSeitz.com or on social media @CrystalsWriting.
