Reviewed by Sarina
TITLE: Deathless
AUTHOR: Belinda Burke
PUBLISHER: Pride Publishing
LENGTH: 76 pages
RELEASE DATE: March 29, 2016
BLURB:
Sweeter than strawberry, darker than blackberry, better than please…
Son of the wood god, son of a mortal woman, Myrddin has lived a carefree life for sixty years. Now, with his mother dead, the wilderness that has sustained him is an overflowing well of powers he can no longer control. Sent by his father to seek someone who can help him, the one Myrddin finds is a nameless stranger, whom he calls Kas.
Kas, so named, is still what his nature demands he be. He is Death, its essence and its king…its master, and its open gate. Since the first death that came into this world, he has been alone, essential and solitary – until Myrddin. For his sake, Kas aids in building the Rite of Spring, and in the process learns love…and loneliness.
Between life and death, want and need, there is just enough space for a new beginning. The question is how it continues – and whether it ends.
Publisher’s Note: This book is linked to the Eight Kingdoms series.
REVIEW:
Myrddin has spent his life at the side of his mother, growing up and learning what it means to be a man during the seasons of Spring, Summer and Fall only to sleep away the Winter. When his mother passes away, Myrddin finds his ability to sleep has been lost and the power he had gained from his father is now nearly overpowering with no outlet to let it out. Sent on a quest by his father to find the one that will help him perform the Rite of Spring in order to curb his new found power, Myrddin comes upon Death, whom he names Kas. Performing the Rite of Spring is a surprise, and a pleasure, but when its over Myrddin returns home, leaving more than just memories behind. Nearly a year later, the two men are reunited but there are choices to be made and Myrddin will have to decide if he wants to remain with Kas or remain alone.
Although this story is attached to the Eight Kingdoms Series, it isn’t necessary to have any knowledge of the other books in order to understand and enjoy this one. I liked the concept of the seasons and other godlike forces living as men, learning and dwelling among the mortals and Myrddin and Kas were just so different I couldn’t help but like them together. Kas was probably the more unique of the two men, however, as he came into being knowing everything but until he’d experienced something himself, he didn’t understand it. His drive to learn and improve himself just so he’d have the words to express himself was kind of endearing to be honest. Myrddin, however, was a little…superficial, maybe? I liked him to a point but I didn’t like how he dismissed what Kas was saying because he didn’t believe it and then just left after the Rite with kind of a ‘maybe I’ll look for you in the future’ type of goodbye.
There was also a lot more sex in this than I was expecting. I mean, a lot! I honestly hadn’t thought there would be any and some sex is fine but it happened super, super fast and then just…kept going. lol I liked the characters, the setting and the overall concept of the story but, really, the sex kind of overpowered the story early on and dulled down my initial enjoyment somewhat. I did like the story but I’m not sure I’ll read it again. I am, however, interested enough to at least look at the series this book is attached to for the uniqueness of the world building if nothing else. If you’re looking for something unique with kind of an old world Gods feel to it, you might want to give this one a try.
RATING: 
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