Three quarters to madness
E-book, Czech
Three quarters to madness
An adventurous arcanepunk novel about four dhampir siblings
The steam-magic revolution changed everything. Scientists discovered a way to combine magic and technology. The first locomotive, fuelled by the energy of gifted children, began to move. The old ways were rejected, their remnants used to solidify the new order. And for four dhampir siblings, the world opened up. Suddenly, they had a future.
Although each of them chose a different path in life, their stories remain intertwined. Frozína is studying at the Royal University of Steam-Magic. Apart from the occasional clash with her tutors, caused by her cheeky nature, she's doing well. Until one day her hapless brother, Rion, shows up with a very strange request. Frozína helps him without question. Family is family, after all. Though perhaps she should have asked…
Magnesia Litera for Fantasy 2026.
About the book:
Quarter to Madness pulses with an arcanepunk atmosphere and illustrates, through the story of four dhampir siblings, how different human fates can be. Thanks to its polyphonic composition, Jela Abasová has succeeded in combining several fantasy genres in one book, showing that the world itself can be the hero.
- Jiří Štěpán, editor
Jela Abasová
(born 1993) writes fantasy, primarily arcanepunk and artificial mythology, as well as poetry—especially haiku. In 2021, she co-edited the anthology Město králů (City of Kings) with Jitka Ládrová. She writes in both Czech and Slovak. Quarter to Madness is her debut novel. From the same world, she has also published the short stories 'If Only It Wouldn't Spin' (anthology Jiný kraj, 2023), 'One of a Thousand Eyes' (anthology Žena s drakem, 2017), 'For the Bitten' (e-anthology Prokletí betaverze, 2016), and 'Measured Value' (anthology FASCINACE 6: Ve stopách kořisti, ve stínu lovce, 2017). She works as a data analyst. She loves ancient Egypt, the Scottish Highlands, and the culture of Japanese geishas. She lives in Trnava, Slovakia, with her dog, Lomond.
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