Natalia Zhiltsova

Biography

Born in Moscow, where she still resides. Graduated from the Moscow City University of Psychology and Pedagogy with a degree in psychology, then worked as a psychologist for several years. In 2010 she gave birth to a daughter. She did not change her surname after marriage because she cherishes the memory of her ancestors.

The first stories Natalia began to write when she was a student. Passion for the occult and esoterics influenced the choice of creative genre - fantasy.

She made her debut in 2009 with a published novel "The Curse of the Necromancer. After publishing the tetralogy "The Shadow" and several other books, she moved to the Russian publishing house "Eksmo". The best known works published there are Midnight Castle (2014) and the Academy of Elements series (2014-2015).

After that, she moved to the publishing house AST with the popular series "Academy of Magical Law", which has survived several reprints.

More than once ("Morana's Tablet" "The Power of the Witch") has been reviewed in the authoritative magazine "World of Fiction".

Ranked 16th in total circulation of fiction published in Russia in 2015. It is in the top sales ranking of the e-book store Litres. Since 2016 he has been the "Lit Producer" of AST Publishing House, organizing literary contests and selecting novels for publication.

The magical detective novel "Gloria. Five Hearts of Darkness" is the only fantasy novel that made the list of 16 best books of the year by AST Publishing, and the final book of the series "Academy of Magical Law" - "Brunette in Combat" took first place in the top 10 fantasy books 2016 according to one of the largest libraries MyBook.

Natalia Zhiltsova's books are in the top sales of major stores, and the total circulation exceeded 200,000 copies.

According to the sales statistics for the last ten years from the largest e-bookstore Litres Natalia Zhiltsova is in the top ten most purchased authors among women.

Series and books by Natalia Zhiltsova

Betrothed by Blood.

Although the writer cannot be described as limited in genres, the bulk of her books are fantasy novels. "Betrothed by Blood" also takes place in a world with magic and magical creatures. Although the universe of the series is completely different from our world, the story is very compelling and somewhat believable.

The popularity of the series of books is evidenced by their popularity. The first print run was sold out very quickly, and in 2019 the publisher printed additional copies.

The protagonist of the story is Lady Ariana. Much of the narrative is told in the first person, and therefore we not only have the opportunity to follow the development of events, but also learn about the feelings, thoughts and inner world of the heroine.

Also an important role in "Betrothed by Blood" by Natalia Zhiltsova has given Damian. The future emperor, and for the time being the prince must choose a wife. But in the magical world, everything happens in a special way, and therefore the pretenders choose not the prince himself, but the goddess.

One of the brides the divine will make Ariana. The young sorceress realizes that this honor crosses all her plans. And at all this situation threatens the existence of her family. Not only will Ariana be unable to inherit her magical gift, but she is in mortal danger altogether...

The series includes 2 novels to be read in the following order:

Book One - "Selection". The first part of the story tells the story of Ariana's family. In her family, only girls are given the gift of magic. And here's the trouble: although becoming a future empress is not such a bad role, but, first of all, no one asked Ariana's consent, and secondly, in the royal family, only boys are born! In addition, someone very powerful decided to destroy the imperial family. And he decided to prevent the appearance of an heir, killing all the potential wives...

Book Two: The Choice. And now the danger has passed... Or has it? In any case, Ariana is only at the very beginning of her journey, and she tries to do her best not to meet the end! The important thing now is to stay alive and... not to win! After all, winning will bring a lot more difficulties than happiness. And these are just the difficulties that are already visible to the naked eye, and who knows what else fate has in store for Ariana's path.

Book One - Selection

The setting in which the events of the story unfold is a classic fantasy world. There is room in it for the things we are used to, as well as magic. But where there is magic, there is also room for the powerful forces of Chaos who want to turn the game around. So it was in the book by Natalia Zhiltsova "Betrothed by Blood. Selection." It is entirely devoted to the struggle of Lady Ariana. The girl herself is not without a magical gift, but even her talent is not enough to resist the might of mysterious villains...

Book Two - The Choice

The Choice novel belongs to classic low fantasy. The universe includes the basic elements of the genre, but Natalia Zhiltsova approaches the writing in a special way. The writer is trained as a psychologist, and therefore focuses on the inner world of the characters.

The universe of the cycle "Engaged by Blood" plunges us into a world of magic, but everything that happens seems real to us. The magical abilities do not rob the characters of human traits that we can recognize in ourselves.

The narrative tells us about Ariana, a young girl who nevertheless knows what she wants in life. In her lineage on the female side, everyone has a magical gift, which opens wide horizons for Ariana. However, the gods have decided to determine her own destiny. The girl ended up on the list of pretenders to the throne of the Empire. But the "brides" of Lord Damian began to die under suspicious circumstances. Which means that the protagonist of "The Choice" is also in danger.

Audiobooks

The Curse of the Necromancer

Morana's Tablet

Patterns of Darkness

Fury of Darkness

The Power of the Witch

Academy of Elements. Dance of Fire

Academy of Elements. Soul of Fire

Academy of Elements. Test of Fire

Gloria. Five Hearts of Darkness

Gloria. A trap for the fourth.

Midnight Castle

Antimage

Betrothed by blood. Selection

Betrothed by Blood. Selection

Heiress of the Wizard of Death

Black Dragon Academy. Dark Flame Witch

Black Dragon Academy. A witch's wager

The Well of Darkness

Faculty of Ghosts

Faculty of the Chosen