Linguistic and Stylistic Features of Olena Ryzhko's Detective Novel "The King of the Darknet"

Abstract

The article analyzes the linguistic and stylistic features of the detective novel The King of the Darknet by contemporary Ukrainian writer Olena Ryzhko. The plot centers on two teenage lovers who become involved in the investigation of a criminal case. This narrative reflects the characteristic features of the detective genre, one of the most popular in children’s and young adult literature, which relies on dynamic plot development, suspense, and adventure motifs.

The study demonstrates that the distinctive use of language in the artistic-imaginative plane of The King of the Darknet is shaped by the genre conventions of the detective novel, the work’s orientation toward a teenage readership, and the author’s individual stylistic manner. The novel exemplifies a successful genre-narrative experiment in which traditional detective elements are seamlessly combined with traits of the teenage novel. This hybridization manifests in the artistic reproduction of psychological tension within the investigation, the depiction of contemporary youth environments, the inner world and experiences of the characters, and the exploration of social issues faced by adolescents, particularly cybersecurity, internet addiction, and moral decision-making in a digital context.

The study also identifies the linguistic means and their specific use in representing the world of contemporary adolescents. These include youth slang, computer-network terminology, traditional forms of names and their diminutives. The language of the characters functions as a tool for individualizing artistic images and reflecting the sociocultural context.

Special attention is given to the author’s use of a nomen in the title, which evokes an atmosphere of mystery and ambiguity. Characteristic stylistic features include carefully chosen vocabulary, rhetorical questions, concise phrasing, and simple sentences, all of which contribute to a dynamic and emotionally engaging text. Frequent shifts in linguistic register within the characters’ dialogues further enhance the authenticity of speech and the realistic portrayal of the artistic space.