The musical backdrop added a rich, artistic layer to the narrative, with Orson’s struggle and subsequent inspiration from Vira’s talent illustrating the transformative power of art.
— K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite®
The book feels like a graceful sort of organized chaos. Krummeck brings the plot points together in an orchestral manner, with all the pieces creating something larger and more beautiful.
— Danielle Ariano, Cobalt Review
The author has a strong background in writing about themes on immigrant lives and is a radio host for a classical music program... and this book shows off that unique combination and honors her strengths as a writer.
— Meghan Miller, @meghan_readsbooks
Displaced by the Russian invasion, Vira, carrying little but her precious viola da gamba, is a refugee in the Uniting for Ukraine program.
When she is physically attacked soon after her arrival in the United States, the terrifying experience prompts her to hide in plain sight by passing as her twin, Sevastyan, until he is able to join her.
Orson has been commissioned to write an opera for The Twelfth Night Festival, but he is suffering from composer’s block. Not only that, his muse, Isabella, has inexplicably withdrawn from all performing. During a chance meeting, Orson discovers the extraordinary musical talent of Vira, now passing as Sevastyan, and it gives him the jolt of inspiration he needs. Hoping that Isabella will be as intrigued as he is, Orson sends “Sevastyan” as his emissary to persuade Isabella to sing in his opera.
Vira’s deception incites a hilarious myriad of misconceptions, resulting in a tangled love quadrangle which becomes even more convoluted when the real Sevastyan comes looking for his sister.
