Willow Save me. The note lay crinkled on my covers, splattered blood adorning the blotchy handwriting. Today marked the one-week anniversary since Odette went missing. Last Friday, I dreamt I was at her funeral. This Friday, it became a reality. This had all begun in my tenth year at Bloomsbury Academy for the Gifted. The morning mist lifted as the sun’s golden rays painted the splendid sky, signaling the beginning of a new chapter at Bloomsbury – a prestigious boarding school burrowed in the heart of the British countryside. The school’s courtyard had once again become blanketed in a patchwork of golden, orange and fiery-red hues of falling leaves. The campus had been embroidered with the yearly festive decorations: coral-colored pumpkins of all shapes and sizes graced every corner of the hallowed halls and autumnal wreaths adorned the doors of every dormitory. The familiar screech of onyx-black crows resonated through the school’s grounds – signifying the start of a new day. “Good morning” Sana (my roommate and best friend) whispered as I hauled myself out of bed. “Morning” I replied through yawns. Each dormitory was split between four pupils. For as long as I could remember, it had been Annalise, Sana, Odette 17 and I – at least until October 13th – when Odette was found murdered three miles from the school’s perimeter. My mind wandered as I reached my dresser where a jug and basin were positioned for washing up. I let the cool water from the jug nip at my fingertips as I scrubbed my hands clean with strawberry scented hand soap. I then cupped a handful of water to wash my face with – hoping the shock of something icy would elicit a reaction to spark inside of me. There was – nothing, nothing at all. As predicted. It’s hard to believe that only a mere week ago we were all ecstatic about the upcoming autumn break and Halloween festivities; when our biggest worry was what costume we would wear, or what treats we would purchase – things that all seem so irrelevant now. I let my gaze rest atop what used to be Odette’s bed. The crisp, white bedding seemed to be in pristine condition: the alabaster pillows were perfectly positioned, and the bedsheets looked to be impeccably ironed. I sighed – Odette had always been the neatest of us all, and although I had never been one for a good clean; I did what I could to keep up with the academy’s top-notch standard of cleanliness – in terms of both conditions and appearance. However, in the days following Odette’s departure I completely let myself go: my once shiny, chestnut brown hair, was now knotted, twisted and tangled beyond repair, dark circles pooled under my swollen eyes and it seemed as if my face was now in a permanent state of puffiness; an evident mark left by my many midnight cries. Although Annalise and Sana attempted to hold back their darkening grief as much as they could, it was evident Odette’s sudden and tragic death was affecting them 18 greatly. Annalise’s golden brown locks, that were something she always took pride in no matter what, were now spun into something reminiscent of cobwebs and her tan-brown skin betrayed blotches of red. Sana seemed to be the only one out of us all holding it together even a little: but even her flawless, exemplary demeanor appeared to be failing her and the corners of her onyx black eyes were painted a bloodshot red. My eyes then flashed back to my own unkempt bed that lay in complete disarray – pillows were strewn all over the oak floor, half of my bedsheet lay suspended, and my blanket was nowhere to be seen. “Has anyone seen my blanket?” I asked in a dull tone that portrayed not even the slightest amount of interest. “No” Sana replied in a similar way that suggested my question was the last thing on her mind. “You could check underneath the beds” Annalise suggested trying to appear as if everything was normal, even though we all knew nothing about this was even remotely close to that. “Thanks, I will” I replied, my tone was so hushed, Annalise had to ask me to repeat myself, forcing me to raise my voice. I could barely make out her reply as I found myself pondering about the swirling thoughts in my mind. The only slightly positive note of the last week was that the residence had largely emptied since the beginning of fall break, and the number of students on campus had steadily decreased, giving Sana, Annalise and I more time to privately mull over the horrific event that occurred that fateful day in relative peace and quiet.
Today we talk about The Order of the Red Ribbon, a book by Malika Asilbekova and Mariam Asilbekova published with our publishing house Europe Books.
Europe Books had the pleasure of interviewing the authors, Malika Asilbekova and Mariam Asilbekova, to get to know them better, the moment that prompted them to write their book The Order of the Red Ribbon, as well as how their passion for Writing started.
Below you can find our interview. Take a seat and enjoy your reading!!!
- What was the moment that prompted you to the writing of your book?
As we sat around the kitchen table brainstorming different things we could accomplish while under quarantine, we suddenly had the brilliant idea to write a book. My sister and I always loved and excelled at writing in school, so in that moment- everything clicked!
- What characteristics should your audience have to appreciate your book?
If you’re curious, love boarding schools’ and their dark academic aesthetic and are into the YA genre, then this book is for you! Not to mention, it’s a very quick and easy read!
- How did your passion for writing start?
It all began in English class when we were required to complete creative writing assignments every day. That’s when we started to feel our passion bloom.
- How did it feel to see your debut book published?
Seeing my first book published was a dream come true. It was a moment filled to the brim with a combination of joy anxiety and exhilaration.
- Are you working on a new writing project you can tell us about?
We have begun working on an exhilarating novel, as a follow-up to this duology called The Society of the Silver Serpent.
Europe Books thanks the authors, Malika Asilbekova and Mariam Asilbekova, once again for taking the time and answering our questions. We are really pleased to have walked alongside them on the editorial path that led to the publication of their book The Order of the Red Ribbon. We wish them the best of luck for their future works.
To you, my readers, may this book amuse you and provide you with food for thought to apply in your everyday life
So, my dear reader, all I have to say is to enjoy your reading!
Your editor!