Deathless is one of the most beautifully written books I have read. Ever, I think. I could flip to any page and find a sentence worth quoting. But it is brutal and raw and does not hold your hand. It is a fairytale down to the very bones, nestled within actual Russian history. It makes for a sometimes strange fusion but it harmonizes remarkably well in the end. Trust Valente when you read this. You will be confused and not everything will make sense (or that’s just me, who knows). But it is beautiful.