Is it easy to be a witch? Who can, and more importantly, who would want to understand her: this evil otherworldly creature, the symbol of promiscuity and whimsy? The symbol of the Woman? Is it easy to be the Great Inquisitor? Who can, and more importantly, who would want to understand him, a heartless executioner, carrying out the will of the Inquisition? What would happen if the souls of these two, as incompatible as ice and fire, come into contact? The novel THE AGE OF WITCHES contains several winningly rare combinations: that of a thriller, detective and melodrama, Western traditions and Eastern European textures. The epic scope of events and tension go hand in hand with the intense psychological twister representing the characters’ inner lives. An element of mystery allows for a new approach to the ancient questions. What makes the novel unique? The dense atmosphere of a modern city is invaded by the poetry of folk demonology. The characters abide by the cruel laws of nuclear society, and by those of a mythical world. This is a book about love, but also about the price of freedom, and the meaning of life. It is about what can save our world from being suffocated by contradictions and hate. Praise for THE AGE OF WITCHES The book, first published in 1997, has endured 9 republications in Russia, and has been translated to many foreign languages. It was named the best book of the year in Ukraine (the “Raduga” award), Russia (the “Great Zilant” award), and Poland (the “Sphinx award”). The authors, renown Russian writers, have written 28 novels, dozens of novelettes, short stories, children's books and film screenplays, and are the winners of many international awards. They have earned the title of the best fantasy writers of Europe (Glasgow, Scotland, European Science Fiction Society, 2005). In English, the Dyachenkos have published the novels SCAR (Tor Publishing House, New York), and VITA NOSTRA (e-book). The novels THE RITUAL and THE VALLEY OF CONSCIOUSNESS have been translated and are being prepared for publication. “Rich, vivid, tactile prose, with a solid yet unpredictable plot—and an extraordinary depth and intensity of character reminiscent of the finest Russian literature.” – Kirkus Reviews (starred review about THE SCAR). International Press Wrote “For many years the Dyachenkos have been writing about the strange metamorphosis human souls undergo at the elusive point between chaos and order, between freedom and law.” – “Knizhnik-review” “They create an astounding world, sometimes chilling and frightening, sometimes shockingly beautiful and bizarre. The combination of two drastically different people – different in age, temperament, and previous occupations (Marina was an actress, Sergey – a psychiatrist) gives us a chance to touch the reality of miracles.” – The Viva Magazine “The secret of the Dyachenko’s success is the high-quality writing, primarily realistic in style, with one – and the only one per novel – fantasy assumption that allows them to solve complex content issues so far (or, possibly, forever) unattainable by realistic genre”. – Znamya Magaizne