The Second Bell

“A lyrical tale of mothers and daughters, the lies we tell ourselves and the choking strictures of petty society. Gabriela Houston’s twist on Slavic folklore offers readers a mediation on the power, beauty and danger of the natural world, seen through the eyes of a rich cast of characters whose behaviour is all too manifestly human, despite their sometimes supernatural nature. Captivating, provocative and poignant – not to be missed.”
– David Wragg, author of The Black Hawks

“Houston has penned a confident and original page turner of a debut novel that reads like authentic folklore. This is well worth your time!”
– Gavin G Smith, author of The Bastard Legion series

“Houston projects her background of Polish mythologies and dark fairy tales onto this fanciful debut. Redemption, sacrifice, and generosity underpin this story about mother-and-daughter relationships. Fans of mythical yarns and medieval fantasies will enjoy this easy-to-read fable.”
– Library Journal

“Houston is able to mark the significance of daily events, highlight her characters, and comment on humanity’s capacity for othering. This intimate fantasy offers a heartfelt reflection on what it means to be human that is sure to please.”
– Publishers Weekly

“A claustrophobic but very human tale of bad decisions rather than (totally) bad people, with conflict and magic alike grounded in the rhythms of daily life and the landscape around it.”
– SFX Magazine

“A fabulous fairytale, beautifully written, full of very human darkness and not-so-human heart. There is magic and joy here, as well as struggle and sacrifice, with characters and a very personal story you won’t be able to stop thinking about long after the tale is told.”
– Dan Hanks, author of Captain Moxley and the Embers of the Empire

“Houston deftly handles both characterization and pacing as she creates a realistic, enchanting fairy tale with real-world themes.”
– Ginger Smith, author of The Rush’s Edge

“Prose that scintillates, characters that captivate, and a world that is at once enchanting in its magic, horrifying in its realism, and vice-versa. Houston has gifted us with a folktale that is both mythically resonant and all too human.”
– Tyler Hayes, author of The Imaginary Corpse