Secret of the Kremenchuk Sea: FANTASY NOVEL for children and adults

"The Stone Key. Secret of the Kremenchuk Sea" is a fairy-tale and mystical story about children's courage, power of friendship and the magic that lives in every corner of the Ukrainian land. The book combines real historical events with the enchanting world of legends, giving children and adults an exciting journey through time where light always has a chance to overcome even the deepest darkness. A girl named Zoryana lives in the heart of Ukraine, among the quiet streets of a small town. Her childhood is filled with simple joys: helping her mother, playing with friends, and observing nature. But when she turns twelve, fate takes an unexpected turn: she inherits a magical stone key that unlocks the secrets of her lineage and the magic of the land. From that moment, Zoryana becomes the Keeper - the only one who can protect her homeland from dark forces. The story unfolds in the 1950s when the townspeople learn of their homes and fields are planned to be flooded for a hydroelectric power station to be constructed. A large reservoir is to be built on the site of the settlement - the Kremenchuk Sea. People accept this as inevitable, but Zoryana feels that there is something more behind this than technical progress. In the depths, an ancient darkness awakens, seeking to devour the souls of living beings. Its name is Viy, soul eater, whose power grows along with the expansion of the dark waters. Zoryana is not alone in her struggle. She is accompanied by a wise cat Tymofiy who knows more than it might seem and a golden flying dog Semargl, a faithful guardian and friend. Together they embark on a dangerous journey each step introduces new challenges in: the search for the legendary fern flower that unveils the hidden, and gaining the Crystal Spark, a source of light capable of defeating darkness. On her way, Zoryana must overcome fear, learn to trust her friends and her own heart. Her fight with Viy is not only a struggle for her hometown, but also for the memory of her ancestors, for the right of people to live on their native land.