In this compelling prequel to Third Moon Passing, a saga of faith, murder, and friendship unfolds against the backdrop of war and religious strife.
Joseon Korea, 1866: Under the prince-regent’s brutal rule, a wave of Catholic persecution spreads fear across the country, fueled by whispers of French retribution. Amid this tension, Hwangbo Pyori, a young concubine, is found murdered on her wedding night. Her death seems to be just another casualty of the times, but when Pyori’s ghost returns to seek justice, her quest takes a supernatural turn. Her only ally? Narae, a damo and secret Catholic determined to bridge the growing divide between Korea and France.
Together, they unravel a mystery where each answer spawns new dangers, and where faith, loyalty, and survival come at a steep cost. As battles rage, both earthly and spiritual, Narae and Pyori must confront a harrowing choice: where does their loyalty lie—in their country, or their faith?
The Water Stricken is a sweeping tale of sacrifice, identity, and survival, weaving together vivid history and otherworldly intrigue in a gripping tale of love, loss, and redemption.