"The Blood Sorcerer" by Maria Danilova, summary Automatic translate

This book is the fourth installment in a sprawling fantasy saga, published in 2017. The protagonist, the young sorceress Vilu, searches for a reliable way to restore her panther friend’s human form and attempts to free her soulless Raven guard, Raven, from a dark curse, for whom she harbors deep feelings. This work is part of the popular "Enchantress" series and is the fourth book in the series. The entire series consists of seven parts: "Enchantress of Shadows," "Enchantress of Cold," "Enchantress of Lightning," "Enchantress of Blood," "Enchantress of Time," "Enchantress of Oceans," and "Enchantress of Storms."

Vacation and the Underground Library

The sorceress Vilu is spending the holidays at home, gradually recovering from her past magical battles. She desperately seeks a way to break the spell on her friend Rocky. A cruel magician previously transformed the defenseless girl into a giant black panther. Rocky lives in Vilu’s room and is constantly angry at his savior for her alarming slowness. Raven, an immortal servant of the Devil and Vilu’s personal guard, regularly transports his charge to a secret underground library. This abandoned library is lost deep in the hot desert sands. The structure’s glass dome lets scorching sunlight directly into the reading room.

During their latest search for a crucial ancient tome, they are attacked by an afrit. The afrit is an ancient guardian demon, guarding secret knowledge and mercilessly punishing mages who intrude. Ravin bravely engages in a bloody battle, but the demon temporarily blocks his useful ability to teleport. Vilu uses static electricity and lightning magic to knock down the aggressive demon. The heroes are forced to flee on a black panther through the labyrinths of books. Ravin warns Vilu that her ever-growing magical power will surely attract the unwanted attention of the true Raven Lord.

Humanizing Blake

Upon returning to the magic academy, Vilu encounters former allies and treacherous enemies. She meets the arrogant aristocrat Sebastian Blackthorn, the cunning seer Oliver, the ruthless blood mage Scarlet, and the mysterious half-demon Kian. She also crosses paths with Gray. Gray had previously mercilessly tried to kill her, but now he unexpectedly changes his prejudices. He uses heat magic and completely heals her bruises with the warmth of his palms.

Vilu is determined to act boldly and free the enslaved Crows. Raven guides the sorceress through the basic process: first, she must grant the dark creatures names. Vilu summons seven Crows to her cramped chamber. Using magical mana, she carves the name "Blake" into the chest of one of the silent servants. The Master’s ancient protective magic takes effect instantly and violently. Blake experiences severe physical shock and transforms into an ordinary mortal with warm, red blood — a standard side effect of lifting the curse. The remaining Crows vanish, telepathically obeying the call of their stern Master.

Raven hides the weakened and frightened Blake in a dark, distant library closet to prevent the unknown Master from discovering the dangerous truth. Vila is left to care for the young man. She patiently teaches the newly minted human to eat hot food, sleep under a warm blanket, and cope with his overwhelming emotions.

Time Loops and Ravin’s Secret

The other Crows telepathically contact Vilu and show her a detailed vision from the distant past. The sorceress is transported to an ancient sand city. There, she meets a fire mage who claims to be faithfully awaiting the Lord of the Crows. Suddenly, the mysterious Master appears and instantly kills the mage, mercilessly draining him of all his scarlet blood. Returning to the current reality, Vilu finds the academy library completely destroyed by a powerful explosion. In the smoky ruins, she accidentally encounters Daren, who in her linear timeline has long been dead.

Darren explains the mechanism of time loops to the shocked witch in simple terms. He sternly warns her of the grave danger of releasing the soulless Ravens. The Devil’s minions are objectively capable of destroying the entire world if they suddenly lose external control. Soon, the terrifying vision dissipates without a trace. The academic library returns to its normal state, as if the destruction had never occurred.

Meanwhile, Vilu notices disturbing oddities in Raven’s usual behavior. Raven displays unusual emotions, often gets angry, is intensely jealous of Vila’s relationship with Blake, and even takes care of his broken smartphone. It turns out that Sebastian Blackthorn from the distant future temporarily placed his bright soul into Raven’s empty body. Blackthorn sincerely wanted to protect Vila and demonstrate the utter insensitivity of the Ravens. Vila strikes the impostor with lightning and, in a scandalous manner, banishes Blackthorn, safely returning the real Raven.

Deadly Mental Trap

Scarlet secretly learns the young sorceress’s secret. A powerful blood mage sternly demands that she retrieve a rare book in the Larian language from the underground library, threatening to kill Kian if she fails. Vilu and Ravyn obediently set out into the scorching desert once again. They quickly retrieve the required tome and barely escape the evil afrit, who has returned.

Soon, Vilu, Kian, Scarlet, Gray, Professor Barrett, Alison the She-Devil, and Sebastian find themselves trapped in a terrifying parallel dimension within an illusory academy hall. A giant orb generates in the center of the isolated chamber, continuously emitting deadly black lightning. The enclosed space is filled with terrifying, fanged monsters. Raven literally tears the massive beasts apart with her bare hands, reliably protecting Vilu. The group bands together and desperately tries to break through to the exit.

Black lightning mortally wounds Gray, piercing his broad chest. Raven accidentally falls into a deep trap of rubble. To quickly save the rest of the group, Vilu actively uses her combat magic. She fearlessly approaches the pulsating black mass and infuses it with her own light lightning. The electrical energy quickly absorbs the destructive power of the giant ball, resulting in a deafening, powerful explosion.

Angel and the return to reality

Vilu’s fragile body physically succumbs to the colossal electrical voltage. Her bright soul leaves her physical shell and is instantly transported to the roof of the illusory academy. There, she meets the deceased Gray. Gray has acquired large, snow-white wings and has become a true angel. The young man tenderly bids the shocked sorceress farewell. He shows her in detail a telepathic vision from Sebastian Blackthorn’s early childhood.

The angel clearly demonstrates Blackthorn’s inner light, deep compassion, and genuine desire to selflessly help people. Gray insistently asks Vila to let the heartless Raven go. The angel shows her a possible happy future together, which they will never have now. After a warm farewell, Vila’s soul successfully returns to her wounded physical body.

The heroes break out of the collapsing parallel dimension and into the real academy hall. The loyal Crows help Vil’s suspended soul finally anchor itself in his body with magical symbols. But Meredith is patiently awaiting them in the main hall. Meredith reveals herself to be the true Crow Lord and the most powerful blood mage.

Blood Mage Fight and Potion

Meredith instantly paralyzes the survivors, mercilessly draining them of their scarlet blood. Kian dies suddenly before the eyes of his helpless friends. Scarlet, by sheer force of will, breaks free of Meredith’s control and bravely engages in a brutal, bloody battle with Meredith. The blood mages magically regenerate severed limbs, turn hard bones into powder, and literally shred each other to pieces. Meredith treacherously summons the black essence of one of the Ravens and deeply impales Scarlet.

Vilu clearly understands that Scarlet is inevitably losing the battle. Supported by the free Crows, the young sorceress actively uses the potion she brewed earlier and her bright lightning bolts. The Crows carefully help her sneak up on the evil Meredith. Vilu accurately throws a vial of magically charged potion straight at the Raven Lord. The weakened sorceress painfully doubles over and completely loses her fighting concentration. Scarlet instantly exploits this fatal delay and finally kills Meredith, turning her into a pool of blood.

Warriors of Light and Newfound Feelings

Having recovered from profound trauma and sincerely mourned her fallen friends, Vilu retreats to a safe, abandoned mansion with the seer Oliver, the panther Rocky, Blake, and Raven. The sorceress makes an incredibly difficult decision. She boldly removes the enchanted talisman from her neck, severing the ancient magical bond and granting the Ravens complete and absolute freedom. Because of her sincere sacrifice, the creatures of darkness are forever cleansed of their taint. They are transformed into noble Warriors of Light with piercing blue eyes.

The freed Crows gratefully kneel before Vilu as a sign of deep respect and peacefully disappear. Raven categorically refuses to leave his beloved girl. The Warrior of Light frankly admits that the tiny piece of the sorceress’s soul, imbued in the gift of the talisman, has forever granted him the unique ability to experience genuine human emotions. Now he can truly feel love and spiritual attachment. The Warrior of Light tenderly kisses the sorceress. Raven makes her his promise: "I will always be there." Thus, he finds long-awaited peace in her gentle embrace.