Liya Arden’s Fantasy World
The fantasy world of Mara and Morok is a blend of Slavic mythology and mysticism that unravels as a tragic love story. It has become a real phenomenon among readers in Russia and the CIS. Over the years, the trilogy has sold over 1 million copies, and the name Liya Arden has become synonymous with modern Russian fantasy.
Mara Agatha, the main character, is marked by the goddess of death, Morana. Agatha and her six sisters once had their own path and magical powers, but after the betrayal of Prince Serat, the maras perished. Two hundred years later, Agatha is brought back to life. She sees her new life as a chance to take revenge and gain freedom. Her new ally is Morok, a dark entity feared even by the gods. This is a story of love, betrayal, and the price of rebirth.
About the Author
Liya Arden is a Russian writer, author of the series Death and Shadow, Descendants of the First, and other bestsellers. Her books combine folk motifs, dynamic writing style, and cinematic storytelling. The total circulation of Arden’s works has already exceeded 1 million copies. The author actively engages with her audience: she has a blog about books and Asian culture where she also shares her writing plans.
«The news about the foreign rights being sold to China reached me back in 2022. It was very unexpected but incredibly gratifying that a Chinese publishing house took interest in Mara and Morok. Given the current popularity of Chinese literature on the Russian market, I hope Mara will be well-received in China and pave the way for more Russian authors to reach Asian readers.»
Liya Arden
Comment from Eksmo Publishing House
«Agatha and Aaron’s story was my first read from the Chernym-Belo imprint. The characters instantly captivated me, and it has been a joy to see Liya Arden ascend to the top ranks of Russian fiction. The sheer scale of the journey she and our editorial team have shared fills me with wonder. Our successful entry into the Chinese market is also a victory for our devoted readers, whose excitement I see at every book fair and online. Thank you all! I look forward to seeing more of our stars achieve global recognition»
Olga Zarubina, the series editor