First published 2016
Jevick grows up hearing tales of Olondria from his tutor, a faraway empire where books fill every corner while his own island home barely knows written words. His mother warns him about this Ghost Country, but when his pepper merchant father dies, Jevick must take over the family trade route. He arrives in Olondria and finds everything he dreamed of. The cities overflow with literature, and he joins the wild Feast of Birds celebration. Then disaster strikes. The spirit of a young girl who never learned to read begins following him everywhere. Desperate for help, Jevick turns to the local priests, but they drag him into a bitter conflict between two competing religious orders. The entire country edges toward violence as these cults battle for control. Jevick realizes he cannot escape his supernatural torment until he discovers what the ghost wants from him. He must uncover her story and find a way to give her peace. His ordeal forces him to question everything he believes about books, storytelling, and the power of the written word.
Genres: literary-fiction, fantasy, supernatural, magical-realism
Vibes: atmospheric, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, supernatural-mystery
Setting: Olondria
MP3 CD · Audible Studios on Brilliance Audio