• Deathless

Deathless is a 2011 novel by Catherynne M. Valente that blends Russian folklore with Soviet history. The story centers around Marya Morevna, a young woman who becomes entangled with Koschei the Deathless, a powerful immortal. Set against the backdrop of 20th-century Russia, from pre-revolutionary times to the height of the Cold War, the novel reimagines traditional fairy tales within a modern, often brutal, context. Marya's journey takes her to Koschei's kingdom, where she must navigate a world of magic, war, and complex relationships to discover her own strength and destiny. It is a lyrical and imaginative retelling of classic Russian folklore, exploring themes of love, loss, power, and the enduring nature of stories.