Reading with Theresa Bell

02.04.2026
17:00 O'CLOCK

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.

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Reading with Sarah Kuratle

Reading with Sarah Kuratle

11.12.2025

"Chimera"

A community of teachers and students on an island fights to preserve biodiversity. In hanging gardens and lively drawings, they try to save life and not drown themselves. Among them is Alice, who pretends to be Alois on the island. One day she leaves the island and wanders through the deserted expanse of the mainland. After years of oppression, she wants to perceive where she begins and ends, what she desires, and whom she can love. Meanwhile, Gregor, the friend and confidant, remains on the island. Harsh experiences take their toll; he carries a trauma that he tries to contain through drawing. A stranger who appears in the gardens slowly gains access to him. While Alice wanders through drained meadows and scarred forests, Gregor's world begins to shake.


Chimera tells with great poetic power of the pressing issues of our time, of the interconnection of all life and death. It touches deep within and resonates for a long time.


Sarah Kuratle

Born in 1989 in Bad Ischl, raised on both sides of the Swiss-Austrian border. She studied German studies and philosophy. Her poetry and prose have received numerous awards. With her debut novel Greta and Jannis. Eight Years or in a Hundred Years (2021), she was on the shortlist for the Text & Language Literature Prize 2022. For her current novel Chimera, she received the creation contribution from Pro Helvetia.


Where: Library, Hotel Sonnenburg


Registration is possible at events@sonnenburg.at or at the Sonnenburg reception.


For Sonnenburg hotel and restaurant guests, participation in the reading is free of charge. 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.

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