Book Review: Rusalka Moon by Cenizas De Rosas

Book Review by Dawn “Belladonna” Thomas

The author shares this Ukrainian story of the mystical creatures. It starts with an old woman telling a story of when she was a young girl. The story is about her sister-in-law Valasha and her love Vasily. It is written in a time when the Czar was still the ruler of the land. Vasily is intrigued with the idea of joining the Czar’s army and becoming an important and man – the glory of war. He and two friends leave with the misguided idea that they will be famous and wealthy when the return in six months. What they find is a harsh life full of hardships and hunger. They long to return to their families and farms. The six months soon turn into years. Not all of them return when the war is over.

Valasha, heartbroken and full of fear that Vasily is dead, becomes despondent and throws herself into the river. The Vodany traps her soul to keep her as his bride and becomes the Rusalka. In the autumn, the Rusalka dance with the wheat to ensure a good harvest. Vasily must try to release Valasha from the Vodany so that she can be free. This is a story of many types of love.

This was an enjoyable book to read. It was easy to visualize the characters and the farms they lived on. I look forward to reading more from this author.