Dymitr is on a personal mission, and it starts with facing the mythical leszy who鈥檚 guarding the fern flower as it blooms for the summer solstice.
鈥淲hen Among Crows,鈥� a novella by of the 鈥� dives into the world of Slavic mythology. A tapping into Polish roots, Roth places nightmarish and intriguing creatures alike in the modern-day city. Whether it鈥檚 the woodland leszy, the tragic wraith or the vampire-like strzyga, they鈥檝e each found their place among the mortal humans in the bustle of daily life.
It鈥檚 a world where debts create magic, and Dymtir is about to send a lot of scales tipping. Before long, he has a motley crew of unexpected allies.
There鈥檚 a Polish saying that opens the book: When among crows, you must caw as one. As Dymitr faces various trials, moving closer to his ultimate, secret goal, the curtains are parted and we see just how many non-crows are hiding among us in plain sight. Their roles in the world are almost as intriguing as Dymitr鈥檚 plotline, and could easily make for their own stories, but the novella keeps its focus. When we finally do find out what he鈥檚 after, it means so much more for the bonds he鈥檚 forged to get there.
Gruesome yet cavalier, 鈥淲hen Among Crows鈥� has action, romance, family drama, fantasy, and a healthy helping of mythology. Best devoured in one or two sittings, the story is tight, the lore inviting and the characters fun. Roth knows how to cleanly fit an arc in under 200 pages without feeling rushed. It鈥檚 the perfect length for the story, precisely because it leaves you wanting more.
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AP book reviews:
Donna Edwards, The Associated Press
