The Herbalist is a novel by Natalya Bulanova in the genre of romantic fantasy, detective fantasy, and Russian fantasy.
Maya, a detective from the royal department of magic-crimes, was never taught how to live with an unusual gift—or, most importantly, how to avoid being exposed. She considers her ability a curse: it leaves an intricate pattern on her skin in the form of her birthmark, and she knows that the secret will be revealed at any moment. The time for the Winter Ball is approaching, and an open dress will put the girl’s mysteries on display. On her next assignment, fate brings her face-to-face with the Herbalist—a suspect who knows more about the lumia’s gift than she does. Maya is faced with a choice: take Tria(n) out of the list of suspects and remove the drawing from her skin, or turn the criminal over to her colleagues and risk being exposed. But then the Herbalist will drown—two people at once.