THE CURSE OF MADAME PETROVA

Cursed twins attempt to escape their predicted fate in this title translated from Dutch.

Silke and her twin brother, Janis, were raised apart, out of their parents’ fear of a horrible prophecy made by the enigmatic Madame Petrova, who said they would kill one another. Now orphaned and brought together by greedy cousins who hope to claim the family home, they fake their deaths and flee into the woods, determined to defy their fate. Exposed to the elements and forced to poach and forage, the siblings find that surviving out in the wilderness is no easy task. To make matters worse, the adults they encounter don’t always have the best intentions, and everyone has something to hide. Who can they truly trust—and can they even trust each other? Set in historical Europe, the story is reminiscent of classic fairy tales. It succeeds in capturing the harsh realities of disadvantaged people who are struggling to make ends meet. This title is a sequel to Hof’s Lepelsnijder, which hasn’t yet been translated into English. Although this story makes sufficient sense as a stand-alone work, some context and depth seem to be missing. The characters and their histories feel flat, and their motivations aren’t easily understood; the pacing also leaves something to be desired. The author excels in creating immersive scenes, but the prioritization of worldbuilding sometimes results in a meandering plot that often loses tension and momentum. All characters read white.

An interesting premise that falls flat in execution.