Legacy on the Bones

Legacy on the Bones is a Ukrainian psychological thriller by Yulia Cherninka that intertwines the present with the haunting legacy of the Soviet terror in 1941 Western Ukraine. The narrative follows journalist and art expert Markiyan Vyshnevetsky, who becomes entangled in a series of inexplicable events after encountering a mysterious triptych painting titled "Thresholds of Eternity." As he delves deeper, he uncovers connections to the Salina massacre, where thousands were executed by the NKVD.

The novel explores themes of inherited trauma, the persistence of evil, and the thin veil between past and present. Through a cast of diverse characters—including a 75-year-old TikToker, a yoga instructor, and a child sensitive to spirits—the story reveals how unpunished atrocities continue to echo through generations.

Cherninka's work serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of confronting historical injustices to prevent their recurrence.