Novel by Marianna Ruks

The Fantasy Saga

The Murky Swamps

Visual storytelling by krzysztofparda.art  ·  Music by Alex Grey

Enter the Swamps ↓

Trailer

Storyline

Placeholder copy — replace with the official synopsis

Beyond the last village, where the mist never lifts and the trees remember older names, lie the Murky Swamps — a realm the maps refuse to show. It is said that whoever enters wearing red will be seen by the Swamps themselves… and the Swamps do not forget a face.

“Per aspera ad astra — through hardships to the stars.”

When an unusual heroine crosses the threshold between her world and the enchanted realm, she discovers that nature is not scenery but a living force — wind, rain and storm each carrying a voice, each keeping a secret. To find her way back, she must first find out who she truly is.

The first volume of The Fantasy Saga leads young adult readers into a world of atmospheric mystery, captivating characters and magic that grows from the forest floor itself.

Characters

SAdd portrety/saga.jpg Saga

Saga

The Chosen One · Protagonist

A dreamer with her head in the clouds and grey eyes fixed on the mysterious. Brave, stubborn, ready to fight for a noble cause.

Meet Saga →

JAdd portrety/julian.jpg Julian

Julian

The Guardian · Protagonist

A mysterious loner who never smiles. Sarcastic towards Saga, yet quietly concerned for her — a captain who knows his destination.

Meet Julian →

DAdd portrety/diana.jpg Diana

Diana

Saga’s Best Friend · Companion

Afraid of ghosts and full of concerns — yet behind the panic hides a mind that draws surprisingly wise conclusions.

Meet Diana →

MAdd portrety/maurice.jpg Maurice

Maurice

Saga’s Best Friend · Companion

A timid antihero who considers himself a hero — his curiosity about the world keeps outweighing his cowardice.

Meet Maurice →

MAdd portrety/marcel.jpg Marcel

Marcel

Julian’s Best Friend · Companion

Cheerful, gallant, always smiling — a very positive soul whose identity nevertheless remains a mystery.

Meet Marcel →

EAdd portrety/eleonora.jpg Eleonora

Eleonora

The Amazon · Sister of the Queen

A horsewoman with emerald eyes, calm and composed — caretaker of the palace animals of Fantasy Land.

Meet Eleonora →

MAdd portrety/matilda.jpg Matilda

Matilda

The Princess of Flowers

Fiery red hair, emerald eyes and a cold heart — Saga’s rival, who sprinkles Gold Dust on the palace gardens.

Meet Matilda →

FAdd portrety/fantasia.jpg Fantasia

Fantasia

Queen of Fantasy Land

White-haired and timeless, full of wisdom and dignity — she believes in Saga’s power more than anyone.

Meet Fantasia →

CAdd portrety/clare.jpg Clare

Clare

The Mystery of the Palace

Raven-black hair, gothic and ghost-like — she never smiles, speaks little, and often appears at Julian’s side.

Meet Clare →

Passages

Immerse yourself in the magical world of imagination…

"You look pale. And there are dark circles under your eyes..." he said, scrutinizing her face.

"What are you hinting at?" Saga smiled bitterly. "Go on, ask your question."

"I have a feeling something happened." He kept looking at her.

"I had a hard night. You know, nightmares and so on," she replied half-jokingly.

"I get it. What a relief. Just the nightmares," Maurice sighed audibly.

"And that's it?" Saga feigned indignation. "Freddy Krueger quartered me brutally, then threw pieces of me to the sharks, and you sigh with relief?"

✦ ✦ ✦

She even put her ear to the cool wall, trying to pick up any strange sounds. All around was silence. What if there is something standing there, listening with me, on the other side of the wall? she thought. At one point, she really had the impression that something was there, waiting motionlessly. She pressed her ear even closer to the wall. She barely breathed. Suddenly she began to hear some sounds, something like someone's breathing. So soft that at first she thought it was just her imagination.

✦ ✦ ✦

"They... they are here again. They have come for us. They are lurking."

"Who is there?"

"Wolves... and who knows what else..." She put her finger to her lips.

Saga jumped to the windows and pulled the curtains with a decisive movement.

"I don't know if I can sleep at all under these conditions. We are surrounded. On all sides. Literally."

✦ ✦ ✦

Hugo replied in a growling voice that sounded like the grating of un-oiled hinges. The sound sent shivers down the spines of his friends.

"I'll give you some good advice. Don't stay here too long and don't stare into the forest at this hour. You will see something else out there. Wolves, goblins and other evil creatures. And their red eyes can deceive anyone who looks too closely. They will lose their minds. Or go mad."

Read Chapter Three

The moon was bright in the night sky and friendly stars were winking at Saga… Step into the story — download the full third chapter and cross the threshold of the Murky Swamps.

Marianna Ruks

The author who gave Saga… a face

Per aspera ad astra — through hardships to the stars.

I’m a dreamer with a vivid imagination; an individualist who finds her own way. I like to swim against the current.

Nature and its forces play an important role in my life. I love the mysterious and atmospheric side of nature and enjoy listening to the sounds of wind, rain, and storms. I’m interested in the cosmos and the universe, and I love walks in the forest.

As a writer, I explore enchanting realms and captivating characters in my debut series. Crafting magical narratives that resonate with young adult readers is my passion.

I lent my image to Saga… so me and Saga are one.

— Marianna Ruks