Foul Days The Witch's Compendium of Monsters, Book 1 BY Genoveva Dimova

In this thrilling fantasy steeped in Slavic folklore, Kosara, a seasoned witch in Chernograd, navigates a treacherous world where mythical creatures and human betrayals abound. Known for her skill in dealing with supernatural beings, Kosara's greatest nemesis is her ex-lover, the Zmey, feared as the Tsar of Monsters. After defying him once too often, Kosara is hunted relentlessly. Betrayed and desperate, she sacrifices her shadow—her font of power—to escape, only to contract a deadly illness that afflicts shadowless witches.

Her only chance at survival lies in reclaiming her shadow. To do so, Kosara reluctantly teams up with a surprisingly honorable detective, their uneasy alliance leading them through a labyrinth of dangers in Chernograd's dark streets. Time is against them; Kosara has a mere twelve days to retrieve her shadow, a task made more perilous as clues point to formidable adversaries waiting to exploit her vulnerability.

In a city where self-preservation reigns supreme, Kosara must navigate shifting alliances and hidden agendas, unsure whom to trust. Every step brings her closer to confronting her own fears and the specter of her past, all while facing the most formidable challenges of her life.

This gripping tale, resonant with elements of folklore and magic, unfolds against a backdrop of moral ambiguity and relentless suspense. As Kosara grapples with her own vulnerabilities and the looming threat of the Zmey, she discovers that true power may lie not just in reclaiming her shadow, but in forging unexpected alliances and embracing the complexities of her own identity in a world where darkness lurks at every turn.