When facing death, there is only one way to go.

War has come to Ukraine. Ever since the first blasts of Russian bombs hit the frontline city where they live, Carmina and Agnieszka face death daily. Their lives have been changed forever. Instead of posting selfies on social media or reading fantasy books, they hide in their basements and count their breaths.

To escape the scorching grip of war, they venture deep into the Carpathian woods and stumble upon a shadow creature who calls herself Mara. Soon, they discover she is Baba Yaga, a guide to the world of Beyond. But something is wrong.

The war-tortured dead are no longer able to see Mara, and instead, they are trapped on Earth as ghosts. Unable to lead them to the Beyond, Mara has been catapulted to the world of the living–a world she's never understood. But after meeting Carmina and Agnieszka, she begins to grasp that life is worth fighting for.

However, when death comes for the girls, there is only one way to go. Unless they ask their new friend for a favour…

Etgoma's incredible debut novel is a fantasy twist on their experiences of the ongoing war, featuring two ace teens, Slavic folklore, and the importance of friendship and belonging in the darkest of times.

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