Books

Q: What is the recommended reading order for the books in the Fifth God saga?
The Fifth God saga currently contains two books: the first, “Black Dragons” and the second, “Magic Of The Soul” . A third book, titled “The Gate” is in progress and coming soon. It is recommended to read them in this order, otherwise understanding the main plot and character relationships may be more difficult.

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Q: Is Fifth God a completed series or ongoing?
The Fifth God saga is ongoing. Two books have been published, and the third is in preparation. Will there be more installments afterward? There are hints. I have some ideas, but I still need to develop them.

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Q: Are there novellas or short stories/prequels I should read before the first book?
No, for now the Fifth God saga consists only of these books. That doesn’t necessarily mean I won’t write one or more books that could clarify certain aspects of the world of L’ven, where the saga takes place, but currently there are no additional books.

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Q: Can I read Book 2, Magic Of The Soul, without having read Black Dragons?
No. You technically can, but many things in the book won’t be clear. All books are interconnected because the story is simply too large to fit into a single volume.

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Q: Will the series have a definitive ending or remain open?
The third book, The Gate, will resolve many storylines that began in Black Dragons. This means the trilogy can be considered complete. However, the world of L’ven is vast, with many powerful individuals whose stories could continue… or begin. That remains to be seen…

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Q: What is the specific fantasy subgenre of Fifth God? (e.g., Epic Fantasy, Romantasy, Grimdark, High Fantasy)
The Fifth God saga is primarily epic fantasy with a strong presence of high fantasy and a small number of dark fantasy elements. Key aspects include powerful individuals who earned their positions and abilities independently. Since the story revolves around these powerful individuals, often surrounded by others equally powerful, they frequently interact with extremely potent magic, sometimes as though it were a daily occurrence, even though ordinary people could never access such magic. A hallmark of epic fantasy is that the books follow several parallel plotlines that sometimes intertwine.

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Q: Is there a significant romantic subplot in the books?
Romantic subplots are definitely present in the Fifth God saga, more than one, in fact. Young, powerful individuals naturally attract attention, bringing romantic interests into the story. There are even love triangles.

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Q: Does the series contain explicit content, violence, or content warnings (e.g., is it “adult”)?
Fifth God is intended for adult readers, especially fans of the “new adult fantasy” genre. There is violence, as epic fantasy often includes battle scenes between powerful individuals and large armies, so violent scenes are certainly present. I tried not to be too explicit in describing them, as I did not want the story to become fully dark fantasy. But there are several such scenes.

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Q: Are there non-human races or creatures in this world?
Yes, the world of L’ven is home to many creatures. In addition to humans, the humanoid races include elves (forest, blue, and dark), dwarves, and gnomes. There are also mermaids who live exclusively in the seas, varani: lizard-like humanoids, and the hos’sanani, best described as a mix of humans and large cats. And of course, magnificent dragons, wyverns, and griffins. There are also creatures from Slavic mythology such as treants, water nymphs, silver fairies, will-of-the-wisps, moguts, Markulesa, vivers, drekavac, dryads, and many others. And finally, the ancient giants from Slavic mythology: Stribor, Klek, Koleda, Kornat, Leđan, Ognjan, Orjen, Regoč, Snježana, Snježnik, Svitogor, Troglav, and Magleni.

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Q: Is the political element of the story a main focus, similar to Game of Thrones?
Politics in the Fifth God saga is important, but more as a tool used by powerful individuals who want to rule the world… or save it. Key plotlines do not revolve primarily around political issues, but politics often interferes with or guides the decisions of certain powerful characters. Some would choose differently if politics allowed it.

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Q: How dark is the series? Is it closer to dark fantasy or high fantasy?
The Fifth God saga is much closer to high fantasy, as it is rich in magic, enchanted objects, numerous wizard duels, and supernatural creatures. But it contains dark elements too, because darkness is part of human nature. Magic is used for everything from small tasks to grand feats comparable to divine power.

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Q: Does the story use multiple POVs?
The Fifth God saga is written in third person, placing the reader as an observer. The perspective shifts between characters, readers follow whichever character is important in a given scene. For example: one moment you follow Hagala, and in the next scene you follow Ondine. The story does not revolve around a single character, as motivations and actions depend on the passing of time while following each one.

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Q: How does the magic system work, and what are its rules?
The magic system has no specific name because there are multiple sources of magic, meaning multiple ways to draw the energy required for a spell. In general, magic in the Fifth God saga is divided into four types: sorcery, witchcraft, priestly magic, and druidic magic.

• Sorcery uses three components:

  1. A complex mathematical formula that must be spoken or sung in archaic languages of unknown origin.

  2. A physical component, involving movements of fingers, hands, or the entire body.

  3. A material component: a substance that brings the required magical energy into the world (e.g., sulfur, diamond, blood, ash of cremated crows).

• Witchcraft draws power from demons of Črt, the underworld ruled by the evil god Torvus. Witches and warlocks perform rituals to summon demons and receive powers similar to those of sorcerers.

• Priestly magic is manifested by the priests of the god Albin. They represent goodness, life, and light. Their power comes through faith and prayer, the purer their faith, the stronger their abilities. They are unique in being able to heal through prayer, something sorcerers and witches cannot do.

• Druidic magic comes from devotion to the goddess Fera, who represents nature. It functions similarly to Albin’s priests: power comes through faith and actions aligned with Fera’s teachings. Druids can also heal, but much less effectively than Albin’s priests. Their powers are more connected to nature, controlling elements, plants, and animals.

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Q: What is the source or cost of using magic in L'ven?
Each type of magic comes from one of the four main gods: Albin, Fera, Torvus, and Dubia. Only Dubia, the goddess of magic, does not require rituals in her name, she provides magic inherently, and sorcerers simply use it. Priests, druids, and witches gain power through rituals and prayers.

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Q: What are the hos'sanani, and what role do they play in the story?
Hos'sanani are a hybrid race created through magical blending of humans and big cats. They are the only race in L’ven not created by the main gods.

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Q: Is there a map of L'ven in the books?
Yes, the third book contains maps of L'ven and more detailed maps of the continent Vetus.

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Q: What is the main empire/kingdom/continent where the story takes place?
The Fifth God saga is mostly set in the Kingdom of Kardiga, specifically in a county called Zmajska. Zmajska is a very unique territory and not simple to govern.

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Q: Do characters have unique special abilities, and how do they develop?
Unique individual abilities can only be possessed by “mindcrafters,” a discipline within one of the twelve schools of sorcery. I can’t say more without spoilers.

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Q: Is the protagonist a Chosen One or a reluctant hero?
Although the Fifth God saga has multiple protagonists, the main one is Janosh. Several characters believe he is some kind of “Chosen One,” and many circumstances hint at this, but he himself does not believe it.

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Q: What main themes does the series explore (e.g., redemption, duty vs. desire, morality)?
The central theme running throughout the Fifth God saga is revenge, especially the revenge of a scorned woman. Because of unrequited love and a thousand-year punishment, she is willing to destroy all of L'ven.

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Q: What are the main tropes of this story?
Key tropes include: revenge, unrequited love, fated love, the chosen one, and unbreakable friendship.

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Q: Who is the main antagonist of the series?
The main antagonist is Hagala, a powerful sorceress returning to L'ven after 1,000 years of exile.

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Q: What chronic illness or vulnerability does the protagonist have?
The main character, Janosh, has no specific illnesses or vulnerabilities. Growing up as an orphan who spent much of his life on the streets, life made him resistant to many hardships.

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Q: In what formats are the Fifth God books available?
The books are available as e-books and in print. There are no audiobooks yet. Both versions are available through many online stores such as Lulu.com, Amazon, Kobo (including Kobo Plus), Walmart, Waterstones, Bookscape, IBS, AdLibris, Yes24, SmashWords, iStore, Barnes & Noble, Thalia, Bol.com, Ebook.de, Libristo, Saxo, and many others.

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Q: Where can I find physical paperback editions of Black Dragons or Magic Of The Soul?
Print editions (paperbacks) can also be purchased through online stores such as Lulu.com, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Waterstones, Bilbio, Bol.com, Saxo, Bookscape, and many others. Hardcovers are not available yet.

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Q: Who narrates the official audiobook?
There is no audiobook yet.

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Q: What is the main form of long-distance communication in this world?
Communication depends on social class. Commoners use letters, if they are literate, carried by merchant wagons. Sorcerers typically communicate via crystal balls; witches do similarly. Nobles use a magical device called the La Borrherough Letter-Caster, shaped like a miniature castle with windows representing destinations. A letter placed in one window is teleported to the corresponding device elsewhere. Nobles and the military without such devices use ravens and pigeons.

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Q: How advanced is the technology (e.g., firearms, printing presses, steam power)?
Technology is at the level of hand-forged weapons in traditional smithies. Everything is handmade. There are pulley systems and some gear-based mechanisms, but that’s it. Anything impossible to do manually is done with magic, if available. Sorcerers preserve some unknown complex devices from ancient times, and no one knows what they do.

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Q: What are the main currencies across the kingdoms?
The main currency is the gold coin, with lesser silver and copper versions. Money is simple and largely independent of kingdoms, a gold coin is a gold coin in all realms. People generally don’t care whose face is on it.

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Q: What is the primary religion or belief system influencing the culture?
L’ven is governed by four gods: Albin, Fera, Torvus, and Dubia.

• Church of Albin: Represents goodness and light, though the religion is not uniform, there are denominations and orders. All worship Albin but differ in certain beliefs. At the top is the Holy Father or Holy Mother. This church has the strongest political influence.

• Druidism: Followers of the goddess Fera. No official denominations. Neither good nor evil, nature is neutral. Their doctrine is balance.

• Torvus’ witches/warlocks: Follow the evil god Torvus. Most common among gnomes but present in other races. Seen as extremely evil, rituals often require body parts of various beings, including humans, and they practice cannibalism.

• Sorcery: Not an official religion, but sorcerers follow rules allegedly established by the goddess Dubia, who is neither good nor evil. Sorcerers aim to advance magical knowledge.

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Q: What is the predominant climate or geographical characteristic of the main setting?
The story spans two continents, but the focus is on the Kingdom of Kardiga, particularly the county of Dragonia. Its climate and terrain resemble Mediterranean regions: warm coasts, forests and plains inland, and occasionally harsh winters. Other parts of L’ven include hot deserts, icy mountains, pleasant dry regions, humid swamps, and more.

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Q: How is social structure organized (e.g., feudalism, meritocracy, magic-based hierarchy)?
The Kingdoms of Kardiga and Rohamara are classic feudal kingdoms. Other regions vary: Oma’ar is an alliance of caliphates; elves, dwarves, gnomes, varani, merfolk, and the metalfolk have their own systems. The hos’sanani spent their entire history in slavery and have no native ruling system, but developed a mix of democracy and meritocracy among themselves.

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Q: What common fantasy trope does the series intentionally avoid?
A trope not present in the Fifth God saga is “enemies to lovers.” It simply doesn’t fit the world’s structure or character dynamics.

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Q: What languages are mentioned or used among races/factions?
Every race in L’ven has its own language, but due to millennia of trade, a universal trade language developed, spoken by nearly everyone. When that's not enough, sorcerers can enable magical translation.

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Q: What moral ambiguity can readers expect from the main characters?
Some characters will find themselves questioning their morality and ethics. They may doubt decisions that have led, or might lead, to someone’s death, even multiple deaths.

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Q: Is the central conflict primarily character-driven (personal struggle) or plot-driven (saving the world)?
Hagala, the main antagonist, is driven by an inner conviction to take revenge on those who exiled her from L’ven, even if she has to burn the whole world. The protagonists want to save the world once they discover that a powerful sorceress is trying to bring forth an ancient god whose arrival would destroy everything.

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Q: What is the most common type of injury or threat characters face?
The saga abounds with conflict: sword duels, large-scale battles with thousands of soldiers, magical duels between sorcerers, and attacks from supernatural beasts. Injuries range from sword wounds, spear and arrow strikes, magical burns, and bites from magical creatures.

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Q: What unique flaw or weakness follows the protagonist throughout the series?
Janosh has no special flaw except perhaps simplicity. He is a straightforward man who believes everything can be negotiated. His progress forces him into politics, which exhausts him mentally.

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Q: Is there an element of prophecy or destiny, and how do characters respond?
Several prophecies run through the saga. But the characters they concern usually do not know about them until the last moment, or if they do, they don’t believe them. It’s hard to believe you were born for a prophecy with only one purpose. There is also an entire nation whose existence and culture revolve around prophecies and visions.

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Q: Are there visions or dreams that contribute to character development?
Yes. There is a nation whose every member receives a personal vision, called the Eternal Dream. They dream it continuously until it is fulfilled. It guides their lives. But when the dream cannot come true, it may lead to madness or worse…

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Q: What is the general pacing of the series (slow-burn, fast-paced, character-focused)?
The pacing is mixed, sometimes fast, sometimes slow. The focus is on characters and their relationships. Politics and social hierarchy heavily influence how characters treat one another and what is expected of them. Therefore, the story can sometimes feel slow.

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Q: Does the series have a strong theme of “lost history” or “ancient mysteries”?
The general plot is not based on lost history or ancient mysteries, though such elements exist, like key artifacts carried by Janosh and Uto, whose origins are the subject of speculation.

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Q: How much philosophical or ethical discussion is present?
Characters do not philosophize much, but ethics appears as a core motivator for the main antagonists.

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Q: How complex is the worldbuilding? Will readers need a glossary?
L’ven is a complex world rich with many cultures. If you are not familiar with Slavic mythology and other cultural influences touched on in the saga, you may need a glossary of terms.

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Q: Are there specific cultural or historical influences that shaped L'ven?
There are several creation stories, each culture and religion has its own version. But certain events shook the foundations of the world: the First Age and its wars, the First Great War begun by Hagala, the birth of dragons, and more.

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Q: Does the book contain a “training arc” or significant period of character learning and growth?
In the currently written books, there is no dedicated training arc in which the main characters learn new skills, at least not enough to dominate the story. The characters are already adults who completed their education and are now ready to influence the world with their existing knowledge and abilities.