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We are excited to announce that Romanian rights to Maresi (Schildts & Söderströms 2014) by Maria Turtschaninoff,which won the Finlandia Junior Prize earlier this month, have been acquired by Editura Univers. Among other titles published by Editura Univers are works by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, J.D. Salinger and Jostein Gaarder.
“Reminiscent of The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley, Maresi draws its inspiration from real problems encountered by real women today. The story is captivating and empowering, and contains some of the most likable and endearing female characters we have seen in a YA book in the last decade. The reader feels like hugging these girls and protecting them to make sure that no-one ever hurts them again. This book also addresses the magic of reading and knowledge – a message we should send to teens.”
– Editor Diana Crupenschi, Editura Univers
Please contact the Agency for a full English text of Maresi!
“Fierce and gentle, violent and tender, poetic and full of action – not one or the other, but both. Maresi instills a sense of will, hope and optimism in a reader and encourages her to walk towards the light without fear.”
– Director and writer Johanna Vuoksenmaa in the Finlandia Junior Prize announcement
About the Red Abbey Chronicles by Maria Turtschaninoff:
Maresi, Book I: The Red Abbey, located on the island of Menos, is a refuge and a community for women and girls. At the Red Abbey everyone is given the freedom to pursue and develop their own talents and areas of interest. Maresi, the main character and narrator, has realized that reading and learning are the two things closest to her heart.
One day Jai, a frightened girl, arrives on the island. It is gradually revealed that Jai is running from her father’s senseless fury; she has seen her sister get buried alive for speaking to a young man, and now her father and a crew of thugs are after her. The bravery of Maresi and her friends is put to the ultimate test when they have to fight to defend both Jai and their community.
A prequel to Maresi, Book II (Schildts & Söderströms) will tell the story of the First Sisters, and how they came to flee a harem in the faraway Eastern Lands and eventually establish the Red Abbey.
A sequel to Maresi, Book III (Schildts & Söderströms) will follow Maresi after she leaves the Red Abbey and sets out to establish a school in the oppressed province of Rovas.
RIGHTS SOLD: Maresi
Original publisher: FINLAND, Schildts & Söderströms
DENMARK, Turbine
FINLAND, Tammi
ROMANIA, Editura Univers
SWEDEN, Berghs
Reading materials: The Red Abbey Chronicles
Book I, Maresi:
Full English text
Swedish edition
Book II, sequel to Maresi:
English synopsis
Contact: info@ahlbackagency.com
