Maria Turtschaninoff

Living on the island of Menos, at the Red Abbey - a religious community consisting solely of women and girls, one devoted to the worship of First Mother, a sort of tripartite goddess figure - thirteen-year-old Maresi leads a life of safety and serenity. A life entirely separate from the outside world, and from men. Then, just as Maresi is ready to leave behind her role as a Novice, a traumatized young girl named Jai arrives on the island. Fleeing from a terrible situation, she brings danger show more with her, and when her past catches up with her, it brings terrible tragedy to the Abbey...

Originally published in Finland as Maresi: Krönikor från Röda klostret, this powerful young adult novel made quite an impression upon me when I read it a few years ago, and I raced through it, alternately entertained and horrified by the events of the story. The society in the Red Abbey is fascinating, as is the goddess-based religion that its residents practice. I was left wanting to know more about the history of both, by the end of the book. The scene in which one of the Sisters sacrifices herself, to spare the younger girls violation, was truly horrifying, even while it transfixed me. I read this when it was the only book in The Red Abbey Chronicles to be translated, but I see that subsequent titles have now been translated. I will have to revisit Maresi, in order to read the sequels! Highly recommended to readers of young adult fantasy fiction. show less

Maresi (The Red Abbey Chronicles 1) by Maria Turtschaninoff, translated into English by A.
A. Prime (5 stars)

‘Hear her story.
Never forget.’

Maresi is about 13 years old and has been at the Red Abbey for around 4 years when a new girl
arrives, Jai. Jai is a little older than Maresi but she latches onto Maresi - they are two of the
oldest girls at the abbey who have not yet been apprenticed to sisters as novices. Maresi has a
kindly nature and takes care of Jai who arrives frightened, show more physically scarred and silent, and over
time they become friends.

Most of the girls and women on the island have been sent by their families to escape famine or
persecution and a patriarchal society. In a world where girls and women aren’t allowed an
education or to follow their own path, this island of learning and magic is a haven and a sanctuary.
Jai however has been sent to the island against her violent father’s wishes. She knows he will
hunt her down one day….

I hesitate to apply labels because this book is so much more, but essentially a Finnish feminist
dystopian fantasy for young adults and adults. Turtschaninoff uses traditional female magic lore to
create an incredible community of women and girls; a learning community, protected from the
male-dominated outside world by their island defences and their folklore and mysticism. It’s an
incredible story of friendship, community, courage, education, resilience and kindness. A future
classic I hope. A feature film is in development by Film 4. show less

A review I wrote in 2020:

Naondel (The Red Abbey Chronicles 2) by Maria Turtschaninoff, translated into English by A.
A. Prime (5 stars)

This second volume of The Red Abbey Chronicles looks backwards to the founding of the Red
Abbey island community and the stories of the women who travelled together across the ocean to
find a safe place they could call home.

First we meet Kabira, the first mother, a woman who was tricked into an abusive marriage when
she was young and whose independence, family, show more home and spiritual gifts were all taken from her.
She becomes the first woman enslaved in the palace of Ohaddin but by no means the last. The
women must do as the Master tells them, or face impossible consequences.

But the women are not without resources of their own and when the time is right they will seek
their revenge and try to escape their cursed prison.

A stunning sequel / prequel to Maresi. This book stays with you long after you’ve finished it. show less

Translated from Finnish, this book is a combination of the horrifying possibilities in The Handmaid's Tale with ancient pagan tales. It's a wonderfully feminist, empowering, dark teen novel. Maresi is a 13 year old novice at the Red Abbey. The Abbey is located on a remote island and only women are allowed. They worship the goddesses and are completely self sufficient from men. Everything changes the day that Jai comes to the island. Maresi takes the scared girl under her wing and shows her show more the wonders and beauties of an island filled with only women. Little does Maresi know that she may have to take on role as savior for the Abbey and stop hiding behind her books and her new friend Jai. Very fairy tale-esque. show less