There are also two more plots - as the book itself is mainly told from POV of the three female characters, Miryem, Irina and Wanda. Irina is marrying the tzar who appears charming and beautiful but is actually possessed by a fire demon. Wanda is on the run with her little brother, escaping their abusive home life. I liked the different perspectives, though one thing that bothered me is that the chapter titles don't clearly indicate whose perspective we're switching to - instead it uses symbols that you have to distinguish if you want to know who's talking immediately.

    After word spreads that Miryem can turn silver into gold, the Staryk King comes for her and sets her to work. She is imprisoned and forced to make all his silver into gold, this real life ability of hers being turned magical so she does it with a mere tough of her hand. The three women are very easy to care for: faced with continuous danger, they have to rely on their wit, strength, diligence, and determination to overcome their adversity. These are characters who genuinely care about their respective families (and nations), and they will do everything in their power to help those who matter to them.

    I really loved the blend of real life - Miryem's Jewishness being a source of contempt from others and the reason her family is isolated, Wanda's pragmatism in face of a horrible home life, Irina being treated as a commodity and a currency for her father - and the magical world of the Staryk and Chernobog.

    The novel is distinctively eastern European in feel, and is a mixture of fairytales that are fleshed out and twisted into a complex and compelling story. It is not a novel wholly about love (though there is an abundance of it); it is a story of survival in a cut-throat world where the rich and powerful exploit the poor, weak and helpless. People have to do what they must and there are no heroes in the sense we're used to - no one does the good and moral thing all the time, otherwise they'd die. And the idea of not judging people by their appearance and way of life is crucial here as well - Miryem is judged by those around her but she also judges the Staryks on the same basis. A wonderful read and a book I will come back to at some point.