THE WITCH OF SARDESIA won the Tähtifantasia 2026 Award!

We are incredibly happy to share the news that the Tähtifantasia 2026 Award has been given to J. S. Meresmaa and THE WITCH OF SARDESIA! The award, given by the Helsinki Science Fiction Society, honors the best fantasy book published in Finland during the previous year.

This is what the Tähtifantasia jury says about The Witch of Sardesia:

Meresmaa’s novel enchants with the joyful originality and richness of its language and world. The plot effortlessly draws the reader along. The story contains suspense, romance, and humor alike. Readers can enjoy intriguing ideas and authentic characters. The narrative makes room for the characters’ thoughts and emotions, allowing readers to empathize with the experiences of young people who are growing up and struggling with uncertainty. The novel features the mysterious atmosphere of ancient forests, details inspired by folk traditions, the everyday life of villages, and the exploration of a steampunk-inspired city. The story also touches on timeless themes of controlling the world and exploiting other people. [–]

The Witch of Sardesia is an intelligent novel for readers of all ages. At its heart is the human experience, set against a backdrop of humanity’s relationship with nature. It celebrates creativity, language, and care for others.

Congratulations to the author and publisher!

GET MATERIALS FOR THE WITCH OF SARDESIA HERE

A magical and emotional story about a young pearl whisperer who seeks out a powerful witch to find a cure for her sister, who has been stricken by a deadly sleep sickness

Soon to turn seventeen, Noa is the daughter of a pearl whisperer. She lives with her older sister and her mother, who has been crippled by a bear attack, in a house on Shady Pine Ridge, deep in the forest. The family cultivates pearls in their farm in the river, selling them to jewelers in the city. But the pearl farm is in trouble. No new pearls have been whispered for years. Noa’s mother has lost her ability to pearl whisper, and it was recently revealed that Noa’s sister Midja has no gift for pearl whispering either. Their father is serving a debtor’s sentence in the city of Paulava. Noa is their only hope.

When Midja falls ill with a deadly sleep sickness, the family faces a harsh reality: she can only be cured by the most powerful witch in Kernos—the Witch of Sardesia. Noa must venture out into the world for the first time, find the witch, and bring back a cure. Otherwise, her sister will die, their pearl farm will be doomed, and their father will never leave prison.

Together with a sly, wise toad and an enigmatic young man named Vesper who joins in the journey, Noa encounters dangers in the city and in her own heart.