Genre: Fantasy
Author: Kateřina Tučková
Translator: Andrew Oakland
Year Published: 2012
TWs: Violence, Persecution, Death
Rating: 4/5
When I picked up this book, I was expecting a story about herbalism and quiet village life in the White Carpathians, but it turned out to be so much more. This book dives into history, magic, and generational trauma, all while keeping you hooked with some crazy twists.
“Human faith in whatever, provided it is strong and unshakeable faith, is tremendously powerful”
Synopsis (spoiler-free, always)
Dora Idesová is an academic determined to uncover the truth about her family’s past and the ‘goddesses’ of her hometown, women rumored to heal and curse through divine powers. Dora’s research takes her deep into the archives, where she uncovers the brutal persecution her ancestors faced. From the witch trials of the 17th century to Nazi Germany and Communist Czechoslovakia, the story weaves together Dora’s modern-day journey with centuries of fear, superstition, and resilience. As she pieces together her family’s history, Dora stumbles upon secrets that change everything she thought she knew about her lineage and herself.
“And then the secret burst, all by itself. It opened up like an overripe pod and discharged all its contents at once”
My Thoughts
This book was nothing like I expected, in the best way. Instead of a calm, folklore-heavy story, I got a gripping mix of history, dark magic, and family drama. The first half of the book is slower because it’s full of fictional letters, archives, and police reports that set up the backstory. At first, I wasn’t sure I’d stick with it, but once Dora starts connecting the dots, things really take off.
Tučková does an amazing job of blending fact and fiction. The persecution of the ‘goddesses’ mirrors real witch hunts and the oppressive regimes of Nazi Germany and Communist Czechoslovakia. It feels so real, it’s almost unsettling. I loved how the story brought in actual history, like the Nazi obsession with pagan traditions, to make the goddesses’ story feel grounded.
The book is also full of contrasts: it’s beautiful and haunting, comforting yet unsettling. One moment, you’re reading about lush Carpathian landscapes, and the next, you’re learning about the horrific ways these women were persecuted. Dora’s journey is both inspiring and heartbreaking as she discovers the weight of her family’s legacy and the secrets hidden within it.
And the ending? Completely blew me away. I had an idea of where things were headed, but Tučková still managed to shock me. It’s the kind of twist that makes you sit with the book for a while, just processing everything.
It’s not a light read, but it’s worth it for the way it weaves folklore, history, and family drama into such a beautiful story.
Happy Reading!
About the Author
Kateřina Tučková is a writer and art curator from Brno, Czechia. She holds a Ph.D from the Institute for the History of Art of Charles University in Prague.
She is known for her meticulous research and for shining a light on hidden parts of history, especially stories about women. Her first and only other novel translated into English is ‘Gerta’, which delves into another aspect of Word War II in Czech history.
You can find more on her Goodreads page!
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