[ˈvro.ni]
VROH-nee
Ząb lub pazur
[ˈzɔmp ˈlub ˈpa.zur]
ZAWMP LOOB PAH-zoor
zmora
[ˈzmo.ra]
ZMOH-ra
żywokost
[ˈʐɨ.vɔ.kɔst]
ZHI-vaw.kost
(zh sounds like the s in treasure)
NOTES
†The words Ływern, Apofys, Lernęki, and Tannim are names of dragon breeds mentioned in the text, and are not of Polish origin.
The Anglan Ływern is a specific dragon slain by the Smokówi twins, while Ływern is actually a dragon breed. Ływern is a stylized spelling of “Wyvern,” which is a two-legged dragon-like creature of western European tradition. The Ływerni of Welona are distinguished from Faustian dragons by their size, their amphibious nature, and the absence of antlers or a mane.
Similarly stylized, the Apofys dragon is inspired by the ancient Egyptian deity Apophis (also: Apep), who was god of chaos and locked in eternal battle with the Sun God Ra. Although Apophis was traditionally represented as a serpent or crocodile, the exceptionally clever Apofys that Lukasz faces is known for its birdlike appearance and beautiful plumage.
Lernęki are the third stylized adaptation of a traditional mythical beast—the many-headed Lerneaen Hydra, defeated by Heracles using both fire and sword. Like their inspiration, the Lernęki of Atena prefer to nest in bodies of water, and they spontaneously regenerate when attacked with sword alone. Luckily for Kwiat, Lukasz has the inspiration to torch the Lernęki instead.
Finally, the Tannimi dragons slain by the four youngest brothers in Granica are also not of Polish origin. Adapted from the Hebrew tanninim, these mythical sea monsters symbolized chaos in Hebrew and Jewish tradition. In modern Hebrew, the word tannin means “crocodile.” The Tannimi of Welona are also very much like crocodiles, but with a spiral “tooth whorl” on their upper and lower jaws. They also rely on the consumption of wood to maintain their ability to breathe fire. Understandably, the Tannim’s arboreal diet wreaked havoc in the crowded harbors of Granica until the arrival of the Brothers Smokówi.
Acknowledgments
First and foremost, this book is for my family. This book is for my sister: you’re the reason why I started writing stories in the first place. This book is for my brother: I don’t think you realize it, but you’re the greatest coach and cheerleader in the world. This book is for my fav BIL: you are so funny and so ready to help with anything and everything—I don’t know how we got along without you. This book is for lil E: I can’t wait until you’re old enough to read this, and we can obsess over all the amazing books in the world together. Most of all, though, this book is for you, Mom. I could write a whole new book saying thank you. Actually, a lifetime of words wouldn’t be enough for you. Everything in these pages, and everything in every page yet unwritten, is because of you. I love you.
This book is also for my grandparents. I like to think you have access to a copy, wherever you are now. I have been blessed to come from a long line of intelligent, loving, and fiercely independent women, and each and every one of them inspired this novel. But you, Babi, have inspired it most of all. I miss you, and I hope you don’t mind that I named Ren after you. She is definitely the kind of person who would take good care of her plants and carry bugs outside instead of squishing them, so I think you would like her.
Over the last five years, this book has progressed in leaps of faith. Brent, thank you for your unflagging enthusiasm for this wild little book—sometimes I still can’t believe that this gets to be the first story I tell. Stephanie, thank you for seeing the heart of this novel even before I did, and especially for encouraging me to go wild with all the blood and romance. To the team at HarperTeen, especially Louisa and Renée: thank you for your eagle eyes when it came to copy edits, and especially for tackling that beast of a pronunciation guide. To the team at Charles & Thorn, especially Kelly Thorn, and to Chris Kwon: thank you for creating a cover beyond my wildest dreams. To everyone else who helped in any way with this novel, thank you so much. You have made my dreams come true.
The folklore and monsters described in this story were inspired by my personal recollections, along with a huge number of books and websites. However, I owe a massive debt to the phenomenal Polish Customs, Traditions, and Folklore, by Sophie Hodorowicz Knab (New York: Hippocrene Books, 1996). Her knowledge of Polish herbs and folk tradition is truly encyclopedic, and it informed much of Koszmar’s medical expertise.
Finally, I also want to thank you—the person holding this book. I am overjoyed to have met you—in some small way—through these pages. Thank you so much for picking up this unusual story from a foreign land. Thank you for holding on to the end. Now, sleep tight and don’t let the strzygi bite.
It’s a dark world out there, and we need the lights like you.
About the Author
Photo by Carly Yim
ALEKSANDRA ROSS lives in Vancouver, BC, where she works as a physician. When she isn’t writing stories, she enjoys spending time with her family and learning about obscure folklore traditions. Inspired by her grandmother and her Polish heritage, Don’t Call the Wolf is her first novel.
www.aleksandraross.com
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Copyright
HarperTeen is an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
DON’T CALL THE WOLF. Copyright © 2020 by Alexandra Roston. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
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Cover art © 2020 by Kelly Thorn of Charles & Thorn
Cover design by Chris Kwon
Digital Edition APRIL 2020 ISBN: 978-0-06-287799-4
Print ISBN: 978-0-06-287797-0
2021222324PC/LSCH10987654321
FIRST EDITION
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