The Bright & the Pale

Debut author Jessica Rubinkowski delivers the thrilling first book in an epic Russian folklore–inspired fantasy duology filled with page-turning romance, tragedy, magic, and monsters. Perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Sara Raasch!

Seventeen-year-old Valeria is one of the only survivors of the freeze, a dark magical hold Knnot Mountain unleashed on her village. Everyone, including her family, is trapped in an unbreakable sheet of ice. Ever since, she’s been on the run from the czar, who has set out to imprison anyone who managed to escape. Valeria finds refuge with the Thieves Guild, doing odd jobs with her best friend, Alik, the only piece of home she has left. That is, until he is brutally murdered.

A year later, she discovers Alik is alive and being held captive. To buy his freedom, she must lead a group of cutthroats and thieves on a perilous expedition to the very mountain that claimed her family. Only something sinister slumbers in the heart of Knnot. And it has waited years for release.
An Epic YA Fantasy: Featuring a village frozen in time by a terrible curse, a heroine on the run, and a quest into the heart of a cursed mountain.A Tragic Romance: Valeria thought she lost Alik forever. Now that he’s alive, she’ll risk a perilous journey back to the source of her nightmares to save him.Found Family: To save her friend, Valeria must lead a team of thieves and cutthroats who might be her only allies—or the ones to betray her when she least expects it.Magic and Monsters: A dark power slumbers in the heart of Knnot Mountain, one that has been waiting patiently for release and might just be the source of the deadly freeze.