Spring's Arcana

The Dead God's Heart, Book 1

By: Lilith Saintcrow

Narrated by: Barrie Kreinik

American Gods vs. Baba Yaga in this Russian-inspired contemporary fantasy Spring's Arcana, by New York Times bestseller Lilith Saintcrow.

Nat Drozdova is desperate to save a life. Doctors can do little for her cancer-ridden mother, who insists there is only one cure—and that Nat must visit a skyscraper in Manhattan to get it.

Amid a snow-locked city, inside a sleek glass-walled office, Nat makes her plea and is whisked into a terrifying new world. For the skyscraper holds a hungry winter goddess who has the power to cure her mother…if Nat finds a stolen object of great power.

Now Nat must travel with a razor-wielding assassin across an American continent brimming with terror, wonder, and hungry divinities with every reason to consume a young woman. For her ailing mother is indeed suffering no ordinary illness, and Nat Drozdova is no ordinary girl. Blood calls to blood, magic to magic, and a daughter may indeed save what she loves...

…if it doesn’t consume her first.

This is the way to the Dead God’s Heart.

A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Books.

©2023 Lilith Saintcrow (P)2023 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“This is a lush, sinister myth woven with modern thread, all the vicious magic of Baba Yaga mixed with the complex relationships between mother, grandmother, and daughter. A powerful fantasy with sharp teeth.”—Marie Lu, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Skyhunter

“Lilith Saintcrow’s contemporary incarnations of Old World avatars glint, slice and snarl in a supernatural scavenger hunt, vying for possession of a hidden jewel at the heart of a mystery. Grab your popcorn and settle in for a scintillating ride!”—Jacqueline Carey

“For readers who love the retelling of dark fairy tales, Saintcrow's series starter is a thrilling ride that will not disappoint.”—Booklist

loved it - heavy American God's vibe

This is only the first half of the tale. I loved the deities that appear along the way. The story is a slow burn but well worth it. Everything is earned. Looking forward to book 2


Narrator is wonderful.

Wonderful writing! Engaging and creative storytelling!

Simply exceptional. I love the language. Lots of evocative descriptive phrases and surprising metaphors. If you enjoy an unusual story, one that encourages the imagination to expand and appreciate, this is a great adventure. Alice in Wonderland meets Supernatural. Unique and luscious. Highly recommended.

A wonderfully creative book!

I've been a huge Saintcrow fan for years. i love the lyrical and inventive language, as well as the terrific characterization.

Nat is a fascinating character, and so is the bool's cast of American gods and goddesses. The world building is terrific, and the story sucked me right in. It never slows down as it romps through Saintcrow's dark, gorgeous world of hungry, backstabbing gods.

I love Barrie Kreinik's narration — she does a great job with accents and action. I can't wait for the next book — glad it's coming in August!

Enjoyable read

Looking forward to second installment of this dark fantasy with Divinities instead of the gods we normally encounter in fantasy.

Great First Half Story

This is my first Saintcrow book, and I absolutely loved it. The storyline is amazing, and the narrator is great. Loved the whole premise of the multiple Deities and all the crazy things they do.

2/3 of a book… and it’s all atmosphere

“The wolves ate better when the shepherd prepared the meal.”
At first I was captivated by the dark, twisty, modern fairy tale feel.
As the summary suggested, it had shades of Ice Queen meets American Gods.

“That which does not kill me shall tell Hell who sent them.”
But as the story continued without any humor, action, or explanation, my frustration built.
Nat goes on a quest to save her mother, even though nothing suggests her mother was remotely kind.
For that matter, what is there in Nat for us listeners to root for? Nat seemed every bit the rube her mother and all the other goddesses and divinities took her for, as she goes the entire book letting others lead her around while at the same time telling her absolutely nothing.

“The song stretched, the entire bar caught in hardening honey.”
Beautiful, broody prose and Russian-accented characters were not enough to carry the story.

“At least the stairs weren’t made of glass, and there weren’t twelve princesses with worn out shoes.”
I would have welcomed the appearance of twelve princesses- maybe then I’d have a better clue.
And argh! There’s the tiniest reveal (which I’d already figured out) and the book just stops.
There’s no penultimate battle, no cliffhanger, no hardened resolve or task completed.
There is zero reason for this 19 hour story to be divided into two “books” except for a money grab.
With this offered for sale, I still feel cheated at effectively spending 1.5 credits on 1 story.
I took a star off my rating just on principle.