Article contributed by Holly Angus
Set in a winter wonderland, Rena Rossner writes a magical story following the lives of two sisters, Liba and Laya. When their parents receive news of a dying family member in a distant town, the sisters are left to survive on their own during the winter season in their small village, Dubossary. Surrounded by vast mountains and snow-covered trees, little do the teenage girls know that their forests hold deep secrets of deception and mystery. The girls soon learn that their mother comes from a family of swans and their father, a family of bears, each having the unique power to shapeshift. When a band of strange brothers wander into the village, the girls’ secrets are threatened and their true identities are going to be revealed. As Laya becomes enchanted by one of the mysterious men, Liba struggles to save her sister and their village from the secrets that lurk deep in the forest.
This novel is told in two different formats, a regular narrative from Liba’s point of view, and a series of prose, from Laya’s perspective. This book is magical and haunting, keeping the reader guessing about the dangers of trusting strangers and the unique power of a strong family dynamic.
The story is also heavily influenced by Judaism and the sisters find themselves questioning the religion and family traditions versus their ability to spend their lives with their true love, instead of marrying a Jewish man, chosen by their father. It is a beautiful account of passion and hope mixed with underlying serious tones of antisemitism and hate crimes, as their family is facing prejudice for their beliefs.
This magical realism story is both character and setting driven, but not so much plot driven. Therefore, if you are a reader who needs a lot of action packed chapters, this book is not for you. You’ll find yourself loving the sister/family dynamic highlighted throughout. The idea of shapeshifting as ‘becoming your true self’ was beautiful. Everything about this book is beautiful, from the cover, to the word choice, prose, and setting.
The Sisters of the Winter Wood is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
Raised in a small village surrounded by vast forests, Liba and Laya have lived a peaceful sheltered life – even if they’ve heard of troubling times for Jews elsewhere. When their parents travel to visit their dying grandfather, the sisters are left behind in their home in the woods.
But before they leave, Liba discovers the secret that their Tati can transform into a bear, and their Mami into a swan. Perhaps, Liba realizes, the old fairy tales are true. She must guard this secret carefully, even from her beloved sister.
Soon a troupe of mysterious men appear in town and Laya falls under their spell-despite their mother’s warning to be wary of strangers. And these are not the only dangers lurking in the woods…
The sisters will need each other if they are to become the women they need to be – and save their people from the dark forces that draw closer.
