A frozen island.
A monastery turned political prison.
A cipher inked in blood.
When anarchist poet Katya Efremova is transferred to the prison colony on Solovetsky Island, she finds an enigma among her returned possessions - a blood-stained book containing a cipher left by her murdered mother, written on the day she died.
Following her mother's clues, Katya begins to unravel a centuries-old mystery woven into the history of Solovetsky Island. Finding the island's legendary power might be the key to overthrowing the Bolshevik regime, but Katya wasn't sent to Solovetsky by chance. The head of the government's spy network is watching, and there will be no hope of a free Russia if he takes hold of the magic hidden beneath the White Sea snow.
I'm delighted to be hosting the blog tour for The Whisper of Stars by Cristin Williams today. Many thanks to Gollancz and Tracy Fenton Fenton from Compulsive Readers for inviting me and for sending me a copy of the novel.
Russia's rich folkloric tradition and its bloody history makes it the ideal setting for The Whisper of Stars; Cristin Williams melds historical fiction with fantasy and the result is a lyrical, immersive read that captivated me throughout. The novel is set in an alternative post-Revolution 1920s Russia where Lenin's Bolsheviks have seized power but while the ruthless treatment of those considered enemies to the cause and the convoluted affiliations and plots are historically accurate, the storyline here is enhanced further through the fascinating inclusion of an imaginative world of magic.
The narrative is split between three characters; Katya, Dima and Natasha. Their distinct voices are realised superbly as are the stark differences and similarities that lie behind their actions. Katya is the main protagonist and is a wonderful character. When we first meet her, she has endured months of cruel imprisonment where her attempts to resist having her magical abilities used to experiment on others has left her near starving, weak and traumatised. Her mother was a notorious anarchist who raised Katya to share her beliefs but left her feeling secondary to the cause. Nevertheless, she instructed her daughter in both politics and magic before being murdered, and her teachings drive Katya to seek the truth when she is sent to Solovetsky Island. She finds a mysteriously blood-stained book among her possessions and quickly realises her mother has left her a message in the form of a cipher. Katya is brave and determined but clearly damaged and has erected a protective wall around herself.
It's ironic, therefore, that she is gradually persuaded by her fellow prisoners to open herself up to human connections and to risk being loved. She is surprised to receive kindnesses from the former aristocrats she considers her enemies but slowly realises they have more in common than she thought. The relationship that develops between Katya and Dima, a once-privileged Cossack disconcerts her at first but ultimately frees her in ways she could never have imagined.
If Katya is the guarded heart of The Whisper of Stars, Dima is its empathetic, courageous soul. Dima understands that his previous nobility means he has no chance of leaving Solovetsky Island alive but still determines to remind the other prisoners of their humanity through the arts. He also has a magical ability which has become more of a curse and without giving anything away here, is the perfect metaphor for Russia itself. Dima finds an ancient manuscript written by an ancestor and is inspired to join forces with Katya as they seek the answers which will allow them to revolt against tyranny and to ultimately free Russia from Bolshevik oppression. In spite of their differences, both Dima and Katya are empowered by poetry and the romantic tension which develops between them is by turns heartwarming and poignant.
The third voice is that of Natasha, who is arguably the most complex character in the book. Like Katya, she has also been imprisoned due to her magical abilities but she has taken a different path and as the storyline progresses, her objectives are intriguingly opaque. Natasha is a powerful witch but in choosing to collaborate with her captors, she is also a reminder of the tense webs of collusion and surveillance encouraged by the regime.
The Solovetsky Islands really were the site of a special prison in the White Sea and Cristin Williams captures the dangerous atmosphere of the remote, frozen gulag brilliantly. The sense of isolation is excellent but so too is the spirit of camaraderie and the prevailing nature of the human spirit. In spite of everything that occurs here – and the brutality of those in control is never in doubt – hope is never fully extinguished.
Cristin Williams' in-depth research is evident throughout and ensures The Whisper of Stars remains an authentic read even with its magical elements. The fantasy parts of the book are so well-realised they complement the historical story to create an exciting, engaging and moving tale of fortitude and love, even at the darkest of times. Highly recommended.
The Whisper of Stars is published by Gollancz and can be purchased here.
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