Reviews and opinions
An imaginative and well-crafted piece of provocative fiction
Charlotte Walker, LoveReading (UK)
Review on British book website LoveReading, June 2022
Listed in the section “Indie Books We Love”
A paranormal, adult tale of sensuality told in two parts. – ‘Morijana the Fortune Teller’ by Marion Terenko is a historical romance set in the 17th century. Split into two parts, ‘Morijana the fortune teller’ and ‘Morijana the Countess’ the narrative follows a knowledgeable, confident gypsy pedlar who, in the process of her search for customers comes across Bájnoky Castle and a squire, who was expecting her presence for more than a card reading and becomes seduced into a dark ritual that will change the course of her life.
The author’s use of the first person quickly draws the reader into the story, and the moody, scenic illustrations throughout the chapters create ambience. I was surprised when I reached the Acknowledgements to read that this book was not written in the author’s native language, as I found that it flowed very well throughout.
Readers beware, that although folklore and the paranormal play a large role in the narrative, it is used as a plot device for adult ends and so may not be to everyone’s taste.
This is an imaginative and well-crafted piece of provocative fiction that would appeal to fans of the genre.
You will want to dig your teeth right into the juicy bits
Aneesha Shewani, Reedsy Discovery (USA)
Review on US book website Reedsy Discovery, March 2022.
There is romance in the air, filled with magic and passion, when a gypsy woman finds herself in the intriguing spell of an enigmatic squire.
Peppered with magic and mystery, Morijana the Fortune Teller, is a fascinating story by Marion Terenko. Morijana is a bright, independent, fiery woman, who is unapologetically starry-eyed. She is street smart and savvy, and an epitome of strength in the face of widowhood, loneliness, and the daily struggles of survival. She makes her livelihood as a traveling gypsy who can offer magical remedies and healing spells.
When her vocation brings her to the mysterious castle of the Squire Oszvald, she is pulled into situations, both magical and diabolical. We see Morijana’s unabashed desires to be loved and to belong overshadow her fears. Her bravado and the strange happenings under the watch of a full moon night take her on a thrilling journey.
The plotline is interesting, and you will want to dig your teeth right into the juicy bits. The writer uses simple narration and conjures the right aura of threat and anticipation, mysticism, and erotic suspense to draw readers in. […]
There are some philosophical nuggets that hold your attention – “… never hand over your entire heart. Keep the delicate core to yourself.” ;…nothing is created beautiful without a price.”; “It’s the most sovereign act to give up one’s sovereignty.”
Then, there are some flashes of delicate prose – “Lady Luna resides as a silver plate in a halo amid heavy clouds…The forest on the hillside resembles a giant dark body, cowering behind the house.” […]
This is a good book for a weekend read or in-between heavy reading. You will want to wade through the secrets in the scrolls and unravel the mysterious bond between the squire and the gypsy. Elements of the supernatural, alchemy, ancient scrolls, and a connection with stories we may have heard before but uniquely rendered in this story make it an enticing read.
https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/morijana-the-fortune-teller-marion-terenko#review
Customer review on Amazon.fr, September 2024
Fast-paced, fun and sexy
This book transports you to a faraway place and time very convincingly. Indulge yourself into a fast-paced, fun and sexy fantasy journey with Morijana.
Customer review on Amazon, January 2024
Accurately researched descriptions of a time and place long gone
This one-of-a-kind novel transported me to a time and place little known to me to meet Morijana, an epic character who confronts her fears and doubts with vigor and passion. Morijana never backs down from any battles or difficulties that may come her way, mainly driven by love and compassion and pride of herself and her heritage. The first half of the book kept me in suspense and surprised me with its savage conclusion, leaving me wondering what would happen next. In the second half we see a Morijana that has internally grown in her new role as the lady of the castle, despite her upbringing… or maybe because of it, showing an infinite compassion to the people she’s bound to take care of, specially her love, Oszvald. I didn’t know what to expect from an adult fiction book, featuring “deviant sex” as described. I found the sex was at times nuanced and sometimes wild and as hot as it can get… that was really a pleasant surprise for me, not a usual reader of this particular genre.
The author seems to have great care and love for her characters and the place where the story happens. What I really liked was her beautifully and accurately researched descriptions of a time and place long gone. What especially amazed me was the author’s love of languages and their different idiosyncrasies. All in all this book is a very unusual and essential read.
Gorgeous illustrations, charming vignettes
Customer review on Amazon, January 2023
It is not easy to describe this book. Part historical novel, part magical realism, part quite saucy erotic fairy-tale set in the dark forests of Transylvania, it follows a cunning and crafty gypsy woman through a series of hair-raising erotic and occult adventures. I cannot recall having encountered a heroine like Morjana before. […] This is a gypsy woman talking, clever, but quite untutored, and the style lends her account an undeniable authenticity.
But what really makes this book shine is the wealth of historical, linguistic, and mythological detail that firmly anchors the story in its historical and geographic framework. Also, a lot of love has obviously gone into the production of the book itself, from the gorgeous illustrations to the charming vignettes. Highly recommended.
Dark, deep, kinky, and funny
Customer review on Amazon, March 2022
Quirky but great. Fun to read: dark, deep, kinky, and funny at the same time. Lots of surprising illustrations. I want to read more of this “crypto-feminist” literature, whatever that is supposed to mean.