Following the success of Sepia and the Awakening of Ink Magic, the second volume of Theresa Bell's atmospheric fantasy trilogy, Sepia and the Conspiracy of Flohall, was released this spring. The story of the orphan girl Sepia, who discovers the secrets of ink magic in the city of Flohall, has proven to be an outstanding debut.
In the first volume, Sepia and the Awakening of Ink Magic, Theresa Bell crafts a richly atmospheric world where ink is more precious than gold, and the art of printing goes hand in hand with alchemy and magic. Bell writes vividly and precisely, with a keen sense of language, rhythm, and character development. Fantastic and historically crafted elements blend convincingly – particularly the depiction of printing is much more than a backdrop: it forms a vibrant aspect of the narrative. In Sepia and the Conspiracy of Flohall, the situation in the city intensifies: as Sepia prepares for her first printing exam, she becomes entangled in a web of intrigue. A mysterious creature with a rat skull appears in Flohall, a legendary book is set to be revealed at the masquerade ball, and traces of a once-feared alchemist suggest that his influence is not yet dispelled.
Once again, Theresa Bell skillfully weaves craftsmanship and fantastic motifs with a gripping conspiracy story. The Sepia series impresses not only with its narrative power but also with the stunning illustrations by artist Eva Schöffmann-Davidov. Alongside the expressive cover design, she brings to life lead lice, ash spirits, and paper creatures in numerous vignettes. Black-and-white and appearing as if drawn with ink, they visually capture the unique flair of the story.
The third and final volume of the series, Sepia and the Secret of the Ink Dragon, will be released in March 2026.
Theresa Bell
studied Japanese Studies and German Studies. She loves fantastic stories, coffee, and drawing. In her free time, she can almost always be found with a pen in hand at her desk, somewhere on the internet, or wandering around her adopted home of Hamburg. Her debut novel "Sepia and the Awakening of Ink Magic" was published in 2024.
Where: Library, Hotel Sonnenburg
Registration is possible at events@sonnenburg.at or at the Sonnenburg reception.
For guests of the Sonnenburg hotel and restaurant, participation in the reading is free. If you are only attending the reading, an admission fee of €5.00 per person will be charged. You can pay the amount directly at the Sonnenburg reception before the event.
