SOLVED About a baby raised by witch, and chicken legged hut [s]

[Ensu]

In the beginning a witch came to a house during winter storm or something, and ask for the newborn baby. She then went back to her place and began chanting, and the baby grow up into a young woman. They lived together in the witch's hut that have chicken legs underneath. The hut can walk and run and change places.

The girl was taught a lot of things, including how to travel in the afterworld. One thing I remember is that if they arrived in front of the gate, it means that they are guests, but if they suddenly are already inside, it means that they are dead.

And also something about a prince locked in a tower, and the young witch rescued him. She sang on the way to the tower, so that all who saw her wont remember her.

All help much appreciated. :)

[Tab]

It sounds like a twist on the Baba Yaga folklore (witch living in hut w/ chicken legs).

How many years ago did you read this? Was the book for adults, teens, or children?

Anything about the cover?

[Ensu]

Read it about 10 years ago. Its from a local library which relies on second hand books donations, so I cant really guess the publication year.

I think it should be a fantasy teen book.

[Tab]

The Ghost Drum

2 book descriptions:

In a magical place there is a cat, and this is the tale she tells. It is the story of Chingis, a Woman of Power, a most gifted shaman who lives in a house which runs on the legs of a chicken. It is the story of Safa, the Czar's son, who has spent his entire life in a windowless room and knows nothing of the sky or trees, or even the world of men. It is the story of how these two most lonely souls bond together to fight their most fearful and fearing enemies.

A scholar cat tells the story, interweaving the tales of Chingis, child of a slave woman, raised by a witch to be a Woman of Power; Safa, the Czar's son, locked in a tower room from birth(view spoiler)[ because his father and aunt fear he'll steal the throne; and the forces of evil: the Czar, the Czaritsa and Kuzma, a very powerful Shaman who fears the growing talents of Chingis. When Chingis rescues Safa, Kuzma allies himself to the Czaritsa Margaretta, who has ascended to the throne at her brother's death. He murders Chingis and imprisons Safa. Chingis, however, finds a way to escape from the ghost world to destroy Kuzma. The powerful climax places her in the Palace of the Czars, where she, in the body of Kuzma, engages in an epic and bloody struggle with Margaretta. (hide spoiler)]

[Ensu]

Thats it! Many thanks Tab! :D