The Curse of Madame Petrova - by Marjolijn Hof (Hardcover)

About the Book

Since birth, Silke and her twin brother Janis have been separated. For a terrible prophecy, made to their parents by the mysterious Madame Petrova, predicted that the twins would one day be the cause of each other s demise. So, Janis was sent away to be brought up among the mountains, while Silke remained in the family home...until now. Silke and Janis's parents have died, and their devious cousins have brought them back together to carry out the prophecy so they can inherit the family home. But the twins are determined not to let that happen--and so they decide to run away. Faking their own death, they flee into the forest wilderness, meeting poachers, a harsh winter, a dancing bear, a mysterious medium, and...Madame Petrova. Can the two siblings stick together and unravel the prophecy before it manifests?"--

Book Synopsis

CCBC Choices 2025

Two twins, separated since birth by a terrible prophecy . . . until now!

Since birth, Silke and her twin brother Janis have been separated. For a terrible prophecy, made to their parents by the mysterious Madame Petrova, predicted that the twins would one day be the cause of each other's demise. So, Janis was sent away to be brought up among the mountains, while Silke remained in the family home . . . until now.

Silke and Janis's parents have died, and their devious cousins have brought them back together to carry out the prophecy so they can inherit the family home. But the twins are determined not to let that happen -- and so they decide to run away. Faking their own death, they flee into the forest wilderness, meeting poachers, a harsh winter, a dancing bear, a mysterious medium, and . . . Madame Petrova. Can the two siblings stick together and unravel the prophecy before it manifests?

Set in a charming blend of fairy-tale setting and historical Europe, The Curse of Madame Petrova bewitches and builds to a crescendo that feels genuinely unexpected and movingly shocking.

Review Quotes

[STAR] "Hof entices us with the winsomeness of folklore and offers canny humor and a valiant, persistent love that emerges from loneliness and neglect." - Horn Book (starred)

"Excels in creating immersive scenes... reminiscent of classic fairy tales." - Kirkus

[STAR] "Transfixing...the ideal uncozy mystery for middle-graders feeling a little premodern gothic this autumn." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred)

About the Author

Marjolijn Hof worked as a youth librarian for almost twenty years but eventually gave up her job to become a full-time writer. She has won many of the top prizes for children's literature in the Netherlands and has been translated into thirteen languages.

Author residence: Netherlands

Annette Fienieg is an illustrator of children's books and a printmaker/artist. She lives with her husband (also an artist and children's book illustrator) in Utrecht near their studio. For her pieces in The Curse of Madame Petrova, she worked on an etching press, cutting the images out of strong paper and then inking them.

Illustrator residence: Netherlands

Bill Nagelkerke is an acclaimed children's writer, translator, and former librarian. In 2013, he was awarded the Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal and Lecture Award in recognition of his dedicated contribution to children's literature and literacy in New Zealand.

Translator residence: New Zealand