“They call me Mother and say I am the one who holds us all together. I do not believe this is necessary. The life force from Anji and Iona’s offering is what binds us together. But I let them be. I devote my time to organizing and interpreting Iskan’s secret scriptures, to writing down all that has happened and encouraging the others to do the same. So that nothing is forgotten. This is what I have told them.”

Kabira, Garai, Estegi, Orseola, Sulani, Clarás, Iona and Daera. These are the names of the women of Naondel, the second book of the Red Abbey Chronicles by Maria Turtschaninoff.  The story begins like a fairytale, a young woman (Kabira) from a notable family falls in love with a young man (Iskan), son of the vizier, that lives in the palace. She falls in love with his eyes while he acts as if he is not interested in her, rather in her younger, prettier sister. One night, she discovers he loves her back and lets go as teenagers do. Being the eldest daughter, it is her duty to keep watch of the family’s secrets and sacred source of power – Anji, the spring. Love blinds her and she shares her secrets with Iskan. From that moment on, the tragedy unravels and the voices of the rest of the women are heard until they all come together in the end.

Each chapter is named after the narrator that tells that part of the story. Although the entries are in chronological order, some details are left unsaid as the narrator changes at the end of each chapter. Kabira is the first narrator and longest entry, the readers learn about her family, her traditions, her love and her doom. She establishes her voice in this first chapter and sets the tone and the setting for the rest of the novel. Garai follows as narrator establishing a clear difference between Kabira and herself. In the beginning, she is strong and wise, but as time passes the “old Garai” hides under the “new Garai” who succumbs to Iskan’s power.  Both women will appear again as the story unfolds. For me, these two entries are the backbone of the story and the parts I enjoyed the most. It is always challenging to have so many voices tell a story, and I felt I could only connect to the first two women.

Towards the second half of the story, Orseola, Estegi, Sulani, Clarás, Iona and Daera are introduced and woven into the story line. Each with a special power, a singular story and a different background, yet they all end up in Ohaddin submersed into Iskan’s power. I enjoyed reading the different powers and internal forces of the women. I enjoyed discovering their intimate connection with nature (rivers, springs, sea, trees, motherhood and dreams), yet I felt I wanted to know more details about the stories and powers of these women. In the end, the voices of the women become one as they stand together for a single purpose, freedom.

About Maria Turtschaninoff

Maria Turtschaninoff was born in 1977 in Helsinki, Finland. She writes fantasy for young adults with strong girls and women as her main characters. The first book in the Red Abbey Chronicles, Maresi, is currently being made into a movie.

Other books written by Finnish women

Which book do you recommend? Please let us know in the comment section!

Finnish initiatives and projects that support and empower girls and women

In 1906, Finnish women were allowed to vote and run for election. It was the first country in the world to give women this right. Learn all about it here.

In 2017, all Finnish students were given the book “We Should All Be Feminists” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie to read in 9th grade.

In 2017, the Prime Minister’s Office launched the International Gender Equality Prize. The first recipient of the prize was Chancellor Angela Merkel. Check out the prize here!