Kosa
by John Durgin

In a secluded mansion hidden away from the outside world, young Kosa lives under the strict and overpowering rule of her enigmatic mother. For Kosa, the rules set by Mother are the guiding principles of her life, shaping her beliefs and actions. She has been sheltered from the truth about the world beyond the confines of their home, conditioned to fear the darkness and malevolence that supposedly lurks outside.

However, as Kosa grows older, she begins to question the reality she has been presented with. Doubts eat away at her, fueled by a deep-rooted curiosity and a burgeoning sense of independence.

But Kosa possesses a mysterious and powerful ability that Mother desperately needs to sustain her own existence. Mother, a figure shrouded in shadows and secrets, will stop at nothing to ensure that Kosa’s power remains potent and under her control. The sinister grasp that Mother has on Kosa becomes increasingly suffocating as she tightens her grip, isolating Kosa further from the truth that exists beyond their home.

In this dark and captivating tale, Kosa’s journey unravels the intricacies of control, the strength of one’s convictions, and the true nature of the world beyond the shadows. The choices she makes will not only determine her fate but also influence the fate of those around her.

5 out of 5 fairies

This was dark, intriguing, and downright chilling. Things start a little slowly, but quickly ramp up. There’s a tension that pulls you through, cover to cover. The descriptions make it feel like you’re watching a movie unfold, instead of simply reading a book. The characters are unique, and interesting, and watching them react and change as things progressed really added to the depth of everything. The cast is completed with a new twist on the fairy tale archetype of the evil witch, but it’s not a caricature, which would’ve been easy to slip into. (It honestly feels like it may have been inspired by a mix of fairy tales involving evil witches). The story itself has a smooth, fairly even pace until you’ve passed the halfway point, then it just flies towards the end. Perfect for dark, gorey, horror filled book lovers.

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