Wildalone: A Novel

“Ancient Greek mystery religions, culture clash, and college romance form a heady blend in Zourkova’s poetic, striking debut.” — Publishers Weekly

In this enchanting and darkly imaginative debut novel full of myth, magic, romance, and mystery, a Princeton freshman is drawn into a love triangle with two enigmatic brothers, and discovers terrifying secrets about her family and herself—a bewitching blend of Twilight, The Secret History, Jane Eyre, and A Discovery of Witches

Arriving at Princeton for her freshman year, Thea Slavin finds herself alone, a stranger in a strange land. Away from her family and her Eastern European homeland for the first time, she struggles to adapt to unfamiliar American ways and the challenges of college life—including an enigmatic young man whose brooding good looks and murky past intrigue her. Falling into a romantic entanglement with Rhys and his equally handsome and mysterious brother Jake, Thea is soon drawn into a sensual mythic underworld as irresistible as it is dangerous.

In this shadow world that seems to mimic Greek mythology and the Bulgarian legends of the Samodivi or “wildalones”—forest witches who beguile and entrap men—she will discover a shocking secret that threatens everything she holds dear. And when the terrifying truth about her own family is revealed, it will transform her forever . . . if she falls under its spell.

Mesmerizing and addictive, Wildalone is a thrilling blend of the modern and the fantastic perfect for fans of dark academia. Krassi Zourkova creates an atmospheric world filled with rich characters as fascinating and compelling as those of Diana Gabaldon, Deborah Harkness, and Stephenie Meyer.

For every world, there is an underworld

Arriving at Princeton for her freshman year, Thea Slavin finds herself alone, a stranger in a strange land. Away from her family and her Eastern European homeland for the first time, she struggles to adapt to unfamiliar American ways and the challenges of college life—including a young man whose brooding good looks and murky past intrigue her. Drawn to the elusive Rhys and his equally handsome and mysterious brother, Jake, she ventures into a sensual mythic underworld as irresistible as it is dangerous.

In this shadow world that seems to evoke Greek mythology and the Bulgarian legends of the 2, or "wildalones"—forest witches who beguile and entrap men—Thea will discover a family secret bound to transform her forever.

From debut author Krassi Zourkova comes the beginning of a lush, darkly imaginative saga of a world where dead doesn't always mean gone, and love doesn't always distinguish between the two.

“Ancient Greek mystery religions, culture clash, and college romance form a heady blend in Zourkova’s poetic, striking debut.” - Publishers Weekly

“Readers who love fantastical romances and mythology are apt to fall under the spell of Zourkova’s debut, and once they reach the final page, they will hope that Thea and the Estlin brothers’ adventures continue in future books.” - Booklist

“Zourkova pens a wonderful debut that intertwines love, mystery and Greek mythology in its pages. Readers will eagerly journey alongside Thea as she tackles an atypical freshman year of college. [...] her story is one that cannot be missed.” - RT Book Reviews (4 1/2 STARS)

“A clever, dark romance steeped in mystery, with a bittersweet thread of melancholy and keen sense of place. Fantasy and romance lovers, as well as those who liked Donna Tartt’s The Secret History or Pamela Dean’s Tam Lin should enjoy this.” - Library Journal (starred review)