My Books

Lost in a dark world, Anja, a former thief, finds unexpected love and purpose, and discovers that beauty can live even in death. Four survivors of a shipwreck awaken on the shore of a strange, dark island illumined by a red moon. They are driven by shadowy, hostile figures to a nearby castle, where an armored figure introduces itself as Death and reveals that they can never leave. In denial, Anja and her fellow thieves search feverishly to escape, but they only encounter obstacles and danger: sentient grass drawn to their warmth, forests of stone, bottomless chasms, and all the pitfalls of total darkness. As they realize they are trapped, the others seek purpose in exploring the shore, and Anja begins to bond with a mysterious, white-robed man who watches over the castle’s flowers—sentient vines with whom he has an unusually close bond. Maion is gentle and compassionate, but uncannily calm, too much at ease in the dark world. Though they are both drawn to each other, Anja cannot help thinking that he is hiding something. When they learn there is a way to go home, her friends celebrate while Anja hesitates, conflicted over leaving the world she has come to love. Her companions plead with her to stay with them, and Maion too insists she return to live out her life. Then, as the dark secret of his identity is revealed, Anja must choose between an ordinary life under the sun or a love that can transcend death.