The Bright & the Pale: Volume 1

Debut author Jessica Rubinkowski delivers the thrilling
first book in an epic Russian folklore–inspired fantasy duology filled with
page-turning romance, tragedy, magic, and monsters. Perfect for fans of Leigh
Bardugo and Sara Raasch!

Seventeen-year-old Valeria is one of the only survivors of
the freeze, a dark magical hold Knnot Mountain unleashed on her village.
Everyone, including her family, is trapped in an unbreakable sheet of ice. Ever
since, she’s been on the run from the czar, who has set out to imprison anyone
who managed to escape. Valeria finds refuge with the Thieves Guild, doing odd
jobs with her best friend, Alik, the only piece of home she has left. That is,
until he is brutally murdered.

A year later, she discovers Alik is alive and being held captive.
To buy his freedom, she must lead a group of cutthroats and thieves on a
perilous expedition to the very mountain that claimed her family. Only
something sinister slumbers in the heart of Knnot. And it has waited years for
release.