Title: Two Worlds: Ritual

This time Karol Weber's universe is filled with characters from the world of legends, fantasy and mythology, and all the action is set in - more or less - a medieval setting. However, he is mistaken who would suspect such an atmosphere of stagnation. Throughout the story there is a lot going on, and a lot of it!

What isn't there in "Ritual"? There is a charming Witch, there is a mysterious rider, there is witchcraft - including, of course, the title ritual, there is a series of unexplained murders, there are cruel nymphs and even mysterious family connections. A lot of familiar literary topos here, a lot of freshness too, as familiar motives are played out in interesting ways. There is also over "The Ritual", despite its mythological shorthand, some shadow of gothic horror. In addition to spells, there is no shortage of shudder-inducing understatements, and, in keeping with the canon of the Gothic novel, there can also be no lack of a love plot. This one, in turn, seems to be more complicated than usual, because although Gothic literature is fond of impossible love, in "Ritual" we have a kind of love triangle in which the parties are unaware of the deadly love....

The motive of ritual itself is carried in literature, sometimes it is a rite of passage, maturation, growing up. In Weber's story, we are dealing with perhaps the most mysterious and hair-raising ritual, because of the ritual of resurrection. This activity has - of course - its price, which the father, longing for his dead daughter, will have to pay. For there must be a balance in nature: life for life....

However, since this is a review and not a spoiler, I return to the substance. A well-told, though rather convoluted story, it draws you in if only with its twists and turns, surprises you with the ambiguity of the characters, and intrigues you with the motive of the serial criminal. Excellent here is the cartoon by Artur Biernacki, who can create characters brilliantly, although his style is sparing, sometimes even conventional. This full of plasticity, black, white and dark chiaroscuro gives the winter setting of the story a special expression. Sketched by his talented hand, the furs and winter hats contrast wonderfully with the Witch's unquestionable beauty and her graceful hand reaching for dried forest herbs.

What deserves special attention in the story is the fascinating motive of the hereafter, from which, with the right knowledge and power, the dead can be summoned. You can even bring them back to earth, which already qualifies as not only magical, but also mystical activities. After all, how many human longings would such a Witch solve, being able to bring the dead back to life? Only would each requester be able to pay the highest price for the life of a loved one?

Dr. Milena Koscielniak