At first glance, the shape of this story is familiar. A blind old minstrel arrives at the royal court of the Phantom Queen and spins an epic tale of tragedy and power misused. It’s set in the medieval Slavic world of Mir (Peace), where Christianity and paganism coexist uneasily – a kingdom of Cossacks, crucifixes, and shapeshifters.

A young orphan boy, Sasha, and his dog enter a mysterious cave and re-emerge as Nevsky and his faithful owl companion. Nevsky/Sasha is imbued with formidable, but flawed, wisdom and powers. Prickly, arrogant, and constantly rejected, he’s an intriguing hero who tenderly raises an abandoned baby girl whom he comes to love deeply. Increasingly, Nevsky becomes intertwined in the machinations of the court, watching helplessly as greed and ignorance overtake the land. The church is forsaken and everything becomes vile and ugly. The gathering darkness culminates in a battle that will destroy Mir.

Teens raised on a diet of fantasy and epic science fiction will relate to seemingly familiar touchstones, but this tale is more Le Morte d’Arthur than Lord of the Rings. There is no quest, no singular plot trajectory. True to its medieval roots, it’s episodic. The narrative threads are skilfully braided: readers must participate by holding on to a vanishing strand while being patient with newly introduced ones until they all come together again. Begamudré captures the scorched corners of the Slavic soul perfectly. In charge of a surfeit of images, icons, and symbols, he holds a rich voice constant. This book will enhance any school library, any study of Middle European history, and will appeal to any teen up for the challenge. The blind old minstrel spins a breathtaking tale.