“An unforgettable favorite. This story takes us deep into an unnamed village nestled in the Albanian mountains, a place so haunting, it casts a spell on the reader and on the characters who keep coming back, despite the violence, the Communist dictatorship, and blood-bound customs. This powerful, spellbinding novel explores how to find one’s place in a world that overwhelms and mistreats us, all through deeply personal stories that reach for the universal.” Julie, Librairie La Méridienne

“Absolutely head-over-heels for Marie Charrel’s new novel. I had high expectations after Les mangeurs de nuit, and I was not disappointed. The descriptions of nature are breathtaking. The author reveals a little-known part of Albanian history without ever weighing down the narrative—and it’s so beautifully told! A pure joy to read.” Céline, Espace Culturel Leclerc, St Gilles Croix de Vie

“I devoured Marie Charrel’s latest. And what a knockout! A novel of immense depth and power. Fascinating for what it reveals about Albanian history and mythology, and told with incredible rhythm and narrative skill. I think it’s even more accomplished than Les mangeurs de nuit. I can’t stop thinking about it.” Frédérique, Librairie du Tramway

“This is a novel where the storm doesn’t just rage. It breathes. The wind whispers through the pages, and Nature herself rises as a goddess. With poetic grace, Marie Charrel brings us into the heart of Albania, to a remote village steeped in culture, beliefs, and ancient legends. Through a dual timeline, we witness the grip of Enver Hoxha’s Communist dictatorship in the 1970s–1990s. The characters, often tragic, brave, and rebellious, make this a stunning, unforgettable book.” Clara, Librairie de L’Horloge

“This novel isn’t just beautifully written, it opened my eyes to an Albania I knew almost nothing about. Above all, it offers powerful, nuanced portraits of women that stayed with me long after turning the final page.” Mathilde Bodet, Librairie Decitre, Chambéry

“I loved everything about it: the plot, the writing, the structure, and above all the characters. Each one deeply moving. This unnamed village in the Albanian mountains, with its legends and ancestral codes; the impact of Enver Hoxha’s dictatorship and the resistance it sparked; stone slogans versus poetry; and Sarah’s quest for identity” Amandine Gotti, Librairie Des Livres et des Hommes

In the remote mountains of Eastern Europe, generations of women have fought to break free from a legacy of silence and tragedy. But the ancient law of blood is clear: every act has a price.

Sarah doesn’t know exactly what she’s searching for in Albania. From her mother she has inherited a crumbling house and a final, urgent wish: “Find Elora”, a woman that seems to be dead for years, according to the people that knew her. Still, Sarah sees something in their eyes: fear, caution, secrets. What really happened to the girl no one wants to talk about?

Years earlier, under the suffocating grip of Enver Hoxha’s communist regime, Elora and her friend Agon made a vow: they would stay together, no matter what. But Elora longs for a freedom that, her mother warns her, isn’t meant for girls.

In a world ruled by men and the Kanun, the brutal code of blood vengeance, even dreaming can be dangerous. Elegantly constructed and told with exceptional grace, We Are Made of a Storm is a powerful, family saga about rebellion, memory, and the hidden voices of women.