" Set in medieval Moldova, this weaves the spellbinding stories of two young women separated by social status, but connected by a wood-dwelling wise woman, and their irrepressible love."
A rich reimagining of an Eastern Europe and Balkan legend, Stela Brinzeanu’s Set in Stone has modern day resonance. Told in engaging, lucid style, this tale of female defiance of male authority in medieval Moldova reels with rebellion, the wit of wise women, and the wondrous love between its memorable female leads.
Elina is the privileged daughter of a boyar, as aristocrats are known in Romanian, worlds apart from her neighbour, Mira, a potter’s daughter with her own talent for the craft. Both prisoners in their own worlds, bound by the constraints of their sex and their respective positions in society, the two women meet through their connections to Rozalia, a wise woman who some regard as a witch. As Mira becomes Rozalia’s apprentice in the ways of herbs and healing, the young women fall in love. In order to live that love, they must defy the church, their families and patriarchal constraints, while Elina battles to have her status changed so she can inherit her father’s land.
As the women face grave perils and dilemmas - not least because the very thing that will free Elina is likely to imprison Mira - a page-turning story of love and survival unfolds. With a tangible sense of female strength and folk tale magic, this also comes recommended for young adults who love feisty historic romance.
| Primary Genre | Historical Fiction |
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