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April 25, 2024 24 mins
In this episode we present the first chapter of Dark Woods, Deep Water, a dark fantasy tale inspired by Slavic folklore written by Jelena Dunato and narrated by Charlene Sanderson and Barnaby Edwards.
Love this chapter? Buy the full audiobook here.
Want to know more about the author? Check out their website here.

In the depths of a remote forest, an enchanted castle preys on unwary travellers.

The servants of the Goddess Morana sacrifice to their dark mistress every soul who crosses the castle’s threshold. One terrible night, three people who should never have met find themselves trapped there: a spoiled lady escaping an unwanted marriage, an aging warrior-prince on a deadly mission, and a resourceful rogue caught up in a botched heist. As their destinies entwine and the dawn approaches, the solution to the castle’s riddle becomes clear: if they want to escape, one of them must die.

A dark fantasy tale inspired by Slavic folklore, Dark Woods, Deep Water is the debut novel by Croatian author Jelena Dunato. Set in an intricately imagined world that staggers the line between fairytale and brutality, this novel will appeal to fans of Katherine Arden and Naomi Novik, as well as lovers of classic Gothic fiction.

Dark Woods, Deep Water by Jelena Dunato
Narrated by Charlene Sanderson and Barnaby Edwards
Published By Spotify
Release date: March 19, 2024

Hosted by George Turner, First in Fantasy is brought to you ad-free by In Shambles Productions.
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