When darkness and death loom over the land, one boy must discover the truth of his birth and the power creation bent itself to give him.
Born on the vernal equinox, his first breath drawn while he lay on blood-soaked soil in the mystic woods of Dunai, Andry's birth portends a destiny of heroism. His childhood begins peacefully, but when two soldiers arrive, fleeing the never-ending wars of an evil empress, everything changes.
Andry's home has at last been found by the empire, and the empress demands her due: Dunai's crops and food to feed her subjects, its men and women to fight her wars. Worst of all, the empress appoints the Mother of Kish-a sorceress whose thirst for blood and power knows no bounds-to oversee Dunai's conquest.
The Mother of Kish has her own dark designs, for she knows that the treasure of Dunai lies in its power to raise the dead, to create an eternal army capable of laying waste to all who stand against her.
Now, the fate of Dunai rests on Andry's shoulders. Will he be able to discover the truth of his birth in time to save his home?
The Son of the Deathless is the perfect read for fans of epic fantasy, Russian fairy tales, and sword-and-sorcery classics alike. If you enjoyed C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia and Till We Have Faces, or Katherine Arden's The Bear and the Nightingale, you'll love the adventure and intrigue of Nicholas Kotar's The Son of the Deathless! Buy now before the price changes!
"Fans of mythical epic fantasy, The Son of the Deathless is for you. Kotar's prose immerses you in the story, bringing this world vividly to life. It's clear Kotar's thought through the worldbuilding of Vasyllia and the myths and culture that have sprung up. The story does not get bogged down in details or overly lush prose, but remains readable while still addressing broader themes such as the struggle against temptation and evil, the tragic realities of occupation and war, and more." - Zoe Kaylor
"This short story immerses the reader in its world of wonder through marvelous imagery that engages all the senses. I have read through the story twice now, and I recommend reading it in one sitting" - Cade Meinel
"A wonderful beginning to what I'm sure will be an excellent new series!" - Marc
"This is a fairy tale for adults that will invite you into wonder and mystery." - Elijah Kennedy
"Combining ancient Russian folklore with modern storytelling, Nicholas surpasses his contemporaries in the indie market with his prose and mythological underpinnings. Buy this book and support the revival of storytelling in the mode of the Inklings." - Amazon Customer
"Y'all! This story is so satisfying and good. It's like a George MacDonald fantasy and a Russian Fairytale had a baby. With some hagiography sprinkled in. It has darkness and realism without being nihilistic. The light is always a realty as well. My very favorite thing is how comfortable author Nicholas Kotar is with this storytelling voice- so delightful! I've commonplaced lots of quotes from it. I'm laughing at the humor. I'm nervous at the danger. I'm wishing I had read it sooner and I want to share it with everyone." - Monica Olsen
"A satisfying entry point into the world of Vasyllia." - Elise
"Wow! The book's opening scene immediately drew me in. I am obsessed with the sunsets of Dunai! Kotar uses mystical and whimsical language that makes the imagery jump off the page. The flow of the story had me finish it in two days. If you are looking for fantasy that brings you into a new world that brings out the mystery in nature and the exploration of life eternal, then this is it." - Amazon Customer
"'The Son of the Deathless' wasn't supposed to keep me from making dinner or walking my dog, but when I sat down to read it, I simply couldn't get up again until I had finished it, by which time the sun had set. This book reads like a fairy tale in that there are multiple depths of reality in play at once: I'd like to read it aloud to my young nephews, and I know any adults in the room would enjoy it just as much as the kids. Each character is vivid, and even side characters have an iceberg of palpable motivations beneath every action. Best of all, this book feels refreshingly "out of time." While it's accessible to modern readers, it recaptures a pre-modern kinship between people and earth that is at once startling and perfectly natural.' - Anna
"The Son of the Deathless is another wonderfully entertaining read from Nicholas Kotar. Beautifully told, with wisdom like a tale of old, delightful and startling characters, and evocative images that will keep you enthralled as you journey through this magical story." - Nina Jodko Fitzgerald