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Slavic Supernatural: An Anthology of Slavic-Inspired Speculative Fiction
From the past to the future, across various Slavic cultures and throughout several European regions, this anthology brings you short speculative fiction stories inspired by Slavic folklore and mythology.
Darkness and light, grief and hope, gods and humans mingle on these pages as they take you on the supernatural journey of a lifetime.
As you travel through the Slavic lands of magic and mayhem, take special care—beware of the rusalka and of the creatures lurking in the woods, don’t mess with the thing sleeping in the cave, and whatever you do, don’t cross the goddess Morana… or your frozen corpse will be found, come next spring.
Dive into these eleven stories of seasonal changes, life, and Slavic wonder!
Darkness and light, grief and hope, gods and humans mingle on these pages as they take you on the supernatural journey of a lifetime.
As you travel through the Slavic lands of magic and mayhem, take special care—beware of the rusalka and of the creatures lurking in the woods, don’t mess with the thing sleeping in the cave, and whatever you do, don’t cross the goddess Morana… or your frozen corpse will be found, come next spring.
Dive into these eleven stories of seasonal changes, life, and Slavic wonder!
253 pages, Paperback
Published February 28, 2023
1 person is currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
Vesna Kurilić
26 books44 followersVesna Kurilić is a Croatian writer and werewolf-loving editor of speculative fiction.
Her recent release is the sapphic retrofuturistic mystery series Ranger Paraversum, which starts with Johnny's Girls.
She reads a lot of romance, some mystery and the occasional SF/F series. To find out more, including the up-to-date status of the various sequels she's currently procrastinating over, get in touch through her official site.
Her recent release is the sapphic retrofuturistic mystery series Ranger Paraversum, which starts with Johnny's Girls.
She reads a lot of romance, some mystery and the occasional SF/F series. To find out more, including the up-to-date status of the various sequels she's currently procrastinating over, get in touch through her official site.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 18, 2023
"People used to scare children with that haunting tune. Nowadays, it was remembered by a few, old village women, storytellers and keepers of the old lore. Withered old crones, as she herself was called. Yet she was no crone, let alone withered. But she was old. Old as the world itself."
Petra Valković, "Morana's Song"
I'm definitely in my Slavic mythology phase and this beautiful anthology was a great addition to my current reading craze. I love that we get different perspectives and angles of Slavic mythology, some from the deities' perspective (Morana's Song by @petrisa_valko is by far my favorite in this book) and some from the perspective of the people who revere the old Slavic customs and beliefs (Where the Birch Trees Sing is a beautiful one from this group).
Some stories are full of mysterious Witcher-style action (The Deep Woods and Kresnik and Zlatorog are quite enthralling) and some are a mix of everything (I did not expect all the twists and turns in The Gentleman's Hat and From the Swamps, but I loved it). There is something for everyone.
As diverse as the collection is, there is this dark and twisted undertone in all of them, binding them together. You can almost smell the dark and rich soil and vegetation and old magic, and you get the chilling touch of deep winter from time to time. It will definitely keep you entertained and enveloped in the foggy and rich Slavic mythology world.
It is also educational, since there are some lesser-known deities and legends that are put in the forefront of the story, which is especially rewarding. And the best thing is, they are all in English, so more accessible to a wider audience.
Btw, can we also discuss how gorgeous the cover is?
Petra Valković, "Morana's Song"
I'm definitely in my Slavic mythology phase and this beautiful anthology was a great addition to my current reading craze. I love that we get different perspectives and angles of Slavic mythology, some from the deities' perspective (Morana's Song by @petrisa_valko is by far my favorite in this book) and some from the perspective of the people who revere the old Slavic customs and beliefs (Where the Birch Trees Sing is a beautiful one from this group).
Some stories are full of mysterious Witcher-style action (The Deep Woods and Kresnik and Zlatorog are quite enthralling) and some are a mix of everything (I did not expect all the twists and turns in The Gentleman's Hat and From the Swamps, but I loved it). There is something for everyone.
As diverse as the collection is, there is this dark and twisted undertone in all of them, binding them together. You can almost smell the dark and rich soil and vegetation and old magic, and you get the chilling touch of deep winter from time to time. It will definitely keep you entertained and enveloped in the foggy and rich Slavic mythology world.
It is also educational, since there are some lesser-known deities and legends that are put in the forefront of the story, which is especially rewarding. And the best thing is, they are all in English, so more accessible to a wider audience.
Btw, can we also discuss how gorgeous the cover is?
June 4, 2023
This book found itself on the top of my neverending reading list ever since I saw it teased on social networks by the publisher ("publishing cottage"), Shtriga Books. Flipping through the pages now, I am realizing it is quite different from what I've expected, for the better.
Each story is distinct in its own way, and yet tonally it remains quite consistent throughout the book, especially those stories exploring Morana and her place in the Slavic mythos.
I would very much like to recommend this anthology to anyone finding themselves in need of fiction inspired by Slavic folklore and mythology, which I personally often struggle to find. I may have personal preferences and stories I liked more or less, but that is usually the case with story collections, and it should be seen as a strength, not a weakness. Published appropriately in February 2023., nearing the end of winter and Morana's reign, this book and its themes will stay in my mind for quite some time, as I'm sure it will be the case for other readers as well.
Each story is distinct in its own way, and yet tonally it remains quite consistent throughout the book, especially those stories exploring Morana and her place in the Slavic mythos.
I would very much like to recommend this anthology to anyone finding themselves in need of fiction inspired by Slavic folklore and mythology, which I personally often struggle to find. I may have personal preferences and stories I liked more or less, but that is usually the case with story collections, and it should be seen as a strength, not a weakness. Published appropriately in February 2023., nearing the end of winter and Morana's reign, this book and its themes will stay in my mind for quite some time, as I'm sure it will be the case for other readers as well.
November 9, 2023
I had the honor of being present in a room with quite a few people involved in this book during SFeraKon and it was so fascinating hearing about their processes of writing the stories, but also designing the cover! I learnt something new about various aspects of slavic mythology and for that I am grateful! I'm hopeful to see more books similar to this one get released in the future 😊
August 31, 2023
There are some really cool stories in this anthology. Some were creepy, some I didn't get at all but most were very interesting. I liked all the different versions of Morana. Also, the cover is beyond awesome!
June 4, 2023
I love a good story collection and was excited to finally pick one up regarding Slavic mythology.
This is definitely an interesting, enjoyable and intriguing book filled with 11 short stories all special and unique in their own way.
I loved how most stories were almost a direct commentary on people's connection with nature and how important it was, and still is today, to regard the surrounding environment with enough honor, respect and even fear.
I found some stories a bit weaker than the others (therefore, the slightly lower rating), but all in all I am very satisfied with what this collection offered me!
This is definitely an interesting, enjoyable and intriguing book filled with 11 short stories all special and unique in their own way.
I loved how most stories were almost a direct commentary on people's connection with nature and how important it was, and still is today, to regard the surrounding environment with enough honor, respect and even fear.
I found some stories a bit weaker than the others (therefore, the slightly lower rating), but all in all I am very satisfied with what this collection offered me!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews