The Manticore

A graphic novel and supernatural thriller that turns a young girl’s emotions into a magic-realistic fantasy adventure – can her new stepmother be trusted or is she a dangerous ancient monster?

The Manticore is a middle-grade graphic novel. This supernatural thriller is told from the perspective of an unnamed protagonist who starts suspecting that her stepmother is in fact a Manticore, an ancient monster intending on devouring the protagonist and her baby brother. She realizes that no one can help her because no one would believe her. So as the Manticore starts fattening up the children, the protagonist hunts for a way to defeat her. She soon realizes that the only way to kill a Manticore is with a mythical object: the horn of a unicorn. But where can she possibly find one?

Maria Turtschaninoff is a multiple award-winning fantasy author, published in 30 countries, and Peter Bergting is the author and/or illustrator of over 50 books of fantasy, sci-fi and horror.


Inherited Land

Inherited Land is an episodic work of literary fiction depicting human relationships with nature across generations.

The roots of people and forest are intertwined in the depths of the earth.

Inherited Land tells multiple enchanting stories about short human lives on a small farmstead in the north of Finland with its golden cloudberries and the mythical woodland animals. The hub of the narrative is a marsh close to the farmstead, and nature is the constant while humans are like dragonflies: here one day, gone the next. Across four centuries, the people face wars, epidemics, and heartbreaks, but from the woods they find shelter and a place to be themselves

Inherited Land is a novel about the climate crisis without ever mentioning it by name. Instead, the novel explores what people have thought about their environment, how they have used it and why. The novel is a reminder of where we have come from, and what a relationship between humans and nature could look like in the future.


Maresi: Red Mantle

The Red Abbey Chronicles, Book III

Maresi: Red Mantle is the third novel in The Red Abbey Chronicles, a historically inspired fantasy saga, aimed at young adult audiences. Maresi (book 1) is a tale of friendship and survival, set in the Red Abbey, a refuge for women and girls that undergoes an attack. Naondel (book 2) tells the story of the First Sisters: how they fled from a harem and founded the abbey.

The third book is an epistolary novel that follows Maresi after she leaves the Red Abbey to establish a school in her oppressed home province of Rovas. The return to her Northern home, and fitting in, is not easy even with all the knowledge she’s bringing with her, but she is determined to triumph over the difficulties. However, she does not need to make it alone, for life has yet another surprise in store: love.


Rights sold: The Red Abbey Chronicles
Original publisher: FINLAND, Schildts & Söderströms (Book 1)
Original publisher: FINLAND, Förlaget (Books 2-3)
BELGIUM, Clavis (Book 1-2)
BRAZIL, Morro Branco (Books 1-3)
BULGARIA, Izida (Books 1-3)
CANADA (French), Editions de la Bagnole (Book 1)
CHINA (Simplified), Shanghai 99 (Books 1-3)
DENMARK, Turbine (Book 1)
ESTONIA, Varrak (Book 1-2)
FINLAND, Tammi (Books 1-2)
FRANCE, Rageot (Books 1-2)
GERMANY, Random House/Heyne (Book 1)
HUNGARY, Scolar (Books 1-3)
ITALY, Atmosphere Libri (Books 1-3)
LATVIA, Petergailis (Book 1)
NETHERLANDS, Clavis (Book 1-2)
NORWAY, Gursli Berg Forlag (Books 1-3)
POLAND, Wydawnictwo Debit (Books 1-3)
ROMANIA, Univers (Book 1)
WORLD SPANISH, Penguin Random House/Alfaguara (Book 1)
SWEDEN, Berghs (Books 1-2)
TURKEY, Altın Kitaplar (Book 1)
UNITED KINGDOM, Pushkin Press (Books 1-3)
UNITED STATES, Abrams (Books 1-3)


Naondel

The Red Abbey Chronicles, Book II.

An independent prequel to Maresi, Naondel tells the story of the First Sisters – founders of the Red Abbey. Imprisoned in a harem by a dangerous man, with a dark magic that grants him power over life and death, the women must overcome their mistrust of each other in order to escape. But they can only do so at a great cost, both for those who leave and those left behind.


Rights sold:

Original publisher: FINLAND, Schildts & Söderströms (Book 1)
Original publisher: FINLAND, Förlaget (Books 2-3)
BELGIUM, Clavis (Book 1-2)
BRAZIL, Morro Branco (Books 1-3)
BULGARIA, Izida (Books 1-3)
CANADA (French), Editions de la Bagnole (Book 1)
CHINA (Simplified), Shanghai 99 (Books 1-3)
DENMARK, Turbine (Book 1)
ESTONIA, Varrak (Book 1-2)
FINLAND, Tammi (Books 1-2)
FRANCE, Rageot (Books 1-2)
GERMANY, Random House/Heyne (Book 1)
HUNGARY, Scolar (Books 1-3)
ITALY, Atmosphere Libri (Books 1-3)
LATVIA, Petergailis (Book 1-2)
NETHERLANDS, Clavis (Book 1-2)
NORWAY, Gursli Berg Forlag (Books 1-3)
POLAND, Wydawnictwo Debit (Books 1-3)
ROMANIA, Univers (Book 1)
WORLD SPANISH, Penguin Random House/Alfaguara (Book 1)
SWEDEN, Berghs (Books 1-2)
TURKEY, Altın Kitaplar (Book 1)
UNITED KINGDOM, Pushkin Press (Books 1-3)
UNITED STATES, Abrams (Books 1-3)


Praise for Naondel from the U.S.

“…complex, multilayered, and wholly believable. […]  Feminists of all ages will appreciate this positive portrayal of a matriarchy.”  Booklist

“This volume is a tapestry of interwoven tales of the women. Each thread plays a role. Despite their often adversarial positions, they find strength, hope, and even friendship in one another. They unite to survive Iskan’s unspeakable cruelty and brutality. VERDICT: Highly recommended for all libraries serving older teens.” – School Library Journal

Praise for Naondel in the UK:

“A haunting fable.” Suzi FeayFinancial Times

Combines a flavour of The Handmaid’s Tale with bursts of excitement reminiscent of Harry Potter’s duels.”  Observer

Should appeal to fans of Ursula K. Le Guin… A lucid, layered, deeply engaging story.”  Metro

Stands out for its startling originality, and for the frightening plausibility of the dangerous world it creates. Telegraph

It’s rare to find a YA fantasy with such polished writing… Utterly satisfying and completely different. Booklist, starred review

Epic in its scope, intimate in its observation: if Maresi felt like encountering a rare and blazing talent, Naondel is here to brand the certainty under your skin.”  Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2017 winner The Girl of Ink and Stars

A prequel that introduces the founding sisters of the all-female Red Abbey… their interwoven stories told with unflinching clarity, rise to a vengeful climax with the glow of the red moon, and will stay with the reader long after the book is closed. […] Turtschaninoff weaves a hypnotic spell…at once contemporary and timeless.”– Guardian

An unforgettable feminist epic, shot through with hypnotic dark charm. […]Dark, powerful and original…it really stands out in a crowded YA marketplace. Thrilling, suspenseful and gloriously feminist.” – The Bookseller

A beautifully painted, fantastical setting like no other; this story will resonate with me for a long time to come.– Ben Alderson, booktuber

Reading it, I felt empowered. I felt proud to be a woman, and of who I am.  Once Upon a Bookcase

5 Words: Power, control, feminism, survival, magic.”– Tea Party Princess

I cannot recommend this book enough, whether you’ve read Maresi or not. If you enjoyed The Handmaid’s Tale or Only Ever Yours then you’ll love this. It’s tragic and painful and hopeful and empowering and I just loved it  Maia and a Little Moore

 

Praise for Naondel from Scandinavia:

“A suggestive depiction of a world where girls are oppressed but have the power to break free.” – Dagens Nyheter newspaper, Sweden

“Dark, painful, sublime. […] Naondel is Turtschaninoff’s most impressive work to date. – Kyrkpressen newspaper, Sweden

“Naondel is a strong fantasy novel, which in spite of its stark content offers an empowering read. The suffering women in the novel possess warmth and an edge, which move the reader. It’s easy to compare the book to the best of Ursula K. Le Guin’s later works.” –  Helsingin Sanomat newspaper, Finland

“A source of dark power. […] It’s not often that I devour a novel these days. Most books remain words and text; seldom do the worlds and bodies stay with me. Naondel pulled me in with a dangerous power and consumed me. I came out the other side a little shaken.” Yle.fi Svenska, Finland

“A unique brand of feminism in fantastic packaging.Hufvudstadsbladet newspaper, Finland

“In Naondel Maria Turtschaninoff keeps track of seven different voices – with verve.” Västra Nyland newspaper, Finland

 “Turtschaninoff is good, she is world class, which Naondel proves if you have not read her before.” – Enhörningen magazine, Finland 

“So, this book!! It’s like Game of Thrones, though so much better. And all from a woman’s perspective!”Prickiga Paula blog, Sweden

“It’s crazy good. It is like a good choir where all the voices are needed and it all rises to a whole new level. [I]love Naondel and really want to read more Maria Turtschaninoff…” Carolina Reads blog, Sweden

“Maresi is a straight forward and down to earth story, whereas Naondel is far more intricate and epic.” – Catahya blog, Sweden


Maresi

The Red Abbey Chronicles, Book I

The Red Abbey is a refuge for women and girls, where everyone pursues their own areas of interest. Maresi prefers to spend her time reading and learning. Everything changes when the frightened Jai arrives on the island. She has seen her sister get buried alive for speaking to a young man, and her father and a crew of thugs are after her. Maresi and her friends have to fight to defend both Jai and their community.


Rights sold: The Red Abbey Chronicles

RED ABBEY CHRONICLES
Rights sold or the series:

Original publisher: FINLAND, Schildts & Söderströms (Book 1)
Original publisher: FINLAND, Förlaget (Books 2-3)

ALBANIA: Dritan (Book 1)
AZERBAIJAN: Alatoran (Book 1)
BELGIUM, Clavis (Book 1-2)
BRAZIL, Morro Branco (Books 1-3)
BULGARIA, Izida (Books 1-3)
CANADA (French), Editions de la Bagnole (Book 1)
CHINA (Simplified), Shanghai 99 (Books 1-3)
CROATIA, Naklada ljevak (Book 1)
DENMARK, Turbine (Book 1)
ESTONIA, Varrak (Book 1-2)
FINLAND, Tammi (Books 1-2)
FRANCE, Rageot (Books 1-2)
GERMANY, Random House/Heyne (Book 1)
HUNGARY, Scolar (Books 1-3)
ITALY, Atmosphere Libri (Books 1-3)
LATVIA, Petergailis (Book 1-2)
LITHUANIA, Aukso pieva (Book 1)
NETHERLANDS, Clavis (Book 1-2)
NORWAY, Gursli Berg Forlag (Books 1-3)
POLAND, Wydawnictwo Debit (Books 1-3)
ROMANIA, Editura Univers (Book 1)
WORLD SPANISH, Penguin Random House/Alfaguara (Book 1)
SWEDEN, Berghs (Books 1-2)
TURKEY, Altın Kitaplar (Book 1)
UNITED KINGDOM, Pushkin Press (Books 1-3)
UNITED STATES, Abrams (Books 1-3)

FILM, Film4