The Ukrainian village of Zirka falls prey to the brutal forces of conflict. Yuri Ivanov, devoted parish novice and now unwilling Russian conscript. He struggles with his faith and his forced education in the dark arts of violence. Is he aided by divine intervention, or perhaps only by the pure friendships with his fellow Ukrainians that he develops along the way?
As he grapples with the horrors of war, Yuri must summon the strength to survive and protect the small band of friends who have become his family. Together, they embark on a perilous journey across the continent, their camaraderie their only shield against the overwhelming odds.
Through the trials and tribulations they face, Yuri’s transformation from an innocent adolescent into a hardened soldier becomes increasingly evident. He becomes more than the sum of his parts, more than just a Reluctant Sniper. Will he emerge from the ashes of war a hero or a monster?
Working together with a man who she learned had been deceiving her, and a mage who was once an enemy, she must put together the pieces of a puzzle that hold the answers to this dilemma. If they can't find a way to trust each other and work together, the world may freeze beyond recovery.
