Where the Dark Stands Still By A. B. Poranek

In this gripping young adult fantasy reminiscent of "An Enchantment of Ravens" and "House of Salt and Sorrows," Liska, burdened by her dangerous magic, strikes a perilous deal with a demon. Seeking freedom from her monstrous power, she ventures into the demon-inhabited spirit-wood to acquire a mythical fern flower, capable of granting her wish. But the wood holds sinister secrets, claiming the lives of those who dare to seek the flower.

Caught by the demon warden, known as The Leszy, Liska bargains her servitude for the coveted flower. Transported to The Leszy's eerie manor, she uncovers a chilling truth—she's not the first to strike such a deal, and all who came before her vanished mysteriously.

As Liska navigates the treacherous labyrinth of secrets within the manor, she confronts both literal and figurative ghosts from The Leszy's past. But a greater threat looms in the woods, stirring fear even in The Leszy's heart.

To survive and reclaim her freedom, Liska must unravel the enigma of her host's past while confronting the darkness within herself. Embracing her inner monster may be the key to defeating the deadly force awakening in the woods.

In a tale of danger, deception, and self-discovery, Liska's journey tests her courage and resilience as she confronts her deepest fears and fights for her chance to break free from the shackles of her own magic.