A review by zvbooks
Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

I first came across the story of Koschei the Deathless through the Myths & Legends podcast by Jason Weiser. I was drawn in by the strange magic of Russian folklore, and Deathless felt like a long-awaited return to that world—equal parts lyrical, brutal, and mythic.

Catherynne M. Valente’s writing is undeniably beautiful, poetic in a way that almost dares you to read slowly. Her prose is layered and dense, filled with rhythm and symbolism that can feel heavy but rewarding. I could tell from the very first chapter that I was reading the work of a poet.

Set after the Russian Revolution, Deathless blends folklore with history, fantasy with politics, and fairy tales with ideological war. It’s almost a steampunk reimagining of the Koschei myth, but more grounded in moral ambiguity than mechanical flair. The characters are complex and constantly shifting. No one is entirely good or evil, and the story often asks: What if you're the villain in your own story?

This was a thought-provoking, slightly spicy read that challenged me with both its structure and its themes. A near-perfect blend of myth and meaning. Just dense enough that I had to pace myself.
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