Stitched: A Slavic Urban Fantasy Series

Kozlov Chronicles #1

by Elena Sobol

Bloodthirsty monsters. Stupid-hot elves. And a demigod who wants his “destiny” to shove it.

Hi, I’m Dmitry, Baba Yaga’s grandson—but don’t tell my boss at the bar. For a guy who makes great beer, a lot of people want to kill me. Ever since my grandma hid me and my magic daggers in Utah, I’ve kept a low profile with my metalhead roommates.

‘Cause that’s what you do when your demigod cousins want to burn you alive.

Now portals to my home world are opening across the city, trashing my hard-won new identity. Not to mention all the human-snacking monsters they’re letting through.

My shifter friend, Alysa, wants me to help hunt down the shidiot tearing open reality and, even worse, the universal police are threatening deportation.

This is about to get messy. And if my cousins follow the commotion? I am one dead demiguy.


Folklore meets humor in this action-packed urban fantasy saga. Perfect for the fans of Kevin Hearne, M.D. Massey, Deborah Wilde, and Jim Butcher.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Magic

217 pages, Paperback

First published February 19, 2022

Reviews

[Vintagebooklvr · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. I really liked this urban fantasy. It feels fresh, not the same old same old. Dmitry, the main character, doesn't have a hero complex and he isn't super powerful. He's afraid of getting too involved with the supernatural world because it would expose his identity and his whereabout to his cousins who want to kill him. He admits he's afraid of them. They harassed him as a child and now will do worse. But for the sake of his friend he is willing to try to do something.

I don't know anything about the Slavic pantheon other than a bit about Babba Yaga.

I definitely recommend this for someone looking for something a bit different. I look forward to the next one in the series.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story, really enjoyed reading about the Slavic Pantheon. The main character is funny and smart without being an over-the-top wise ass, a pretty boy who's just wonderful at everything, or too emo to take credit for anything he does right. And that seems a pretty unique balance nowadays! Good character development and pace, looking forward to the next one.

[John E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slavic urban fantasy in Utah

New character, new birthright. Surprisingly enjoyable read with a completely different set of monsters, allies and demi-gods. Dimitri brews some great drinks and wields some wicked daggers. This story is an interesting start to what else he could be.

[Karen Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good start to a series

I thoroughly enjoyed Stitched and am looking forward to the next book in the series. You don’t see too much about Slavic gods in urban fantasy, and that’s a shame, as I was engrossed in Dmitry’s adventures. I had a little bit of trouble remembering the Slavic creatures (and which was which), but that’s on me and my overall unfamiliarity with them.

I am curious to see where the next books go, and very much looking forward to reading them when they come out.

The writing was good, and well edited. Definitely recommend.

[Darin Roodman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dmitry Kozlov is your ordinary 20-something living in Salt Lake City, Utah. He tends bar and waits tables at a local joint, his roommate is an adonis of an indie rock player, he’s got friends from Asia, friends from Europe, and even a friend with blue hair. He has a garden in the backyard of his house, he’s hoping to open his own distillery, life’s good in ol’ SLC, and he’s not even a Mormon!

But Dmitry’s got a secret. Dmitry isn’t - exactly - what you’d call “human”. He’s more… supernaturally endowed than that. Oh Velis above, get your heads out of the gutter. He’s a demigod!!! A harvest demigod to be precise. So his garden is completely GOATed (convenient since his last name is old Slav for “goat”), he can fix the makeup of alcoholic drinks to make them taste better and give a better buzz, and he brews THE best beers this side of the World Tree, and his rosé? Out of this world! Dmitry’s not just ANY demigod either. He’s the grandson of Baba Yaga herself (yeah, the cauldron-flying, chicken-house living, baddest witch in all of the Vyraj. THAT Baba Yaga).

Dmitry’s been hiding out in the Yav for the last 12 years. Sent to SLC by his dearest babushka to be hidden away from his incredibly homicidal cousins who’d love to separate him from the only thing he’s got left from his mother, goddess of good luck and good harvest. Her knitting needles-come-daggers. Without giving them up willingly, Dmitry’s dear cousins can’t even grab the things, so since he’s not about to hand them over, they reckon he’ll just have to die. No biggie, right? His cousins have all also come into their full demigod powers, whereas Dmitry has been avoiding doing just that. And they’re hundreds of years old and experienced with the magic and the world, where he’s in his 20s…and not. It’ll be fine, they can’t find him in SLC, the Yav is safe.

But when portals to the Vyraj start opening up randomly all over Salt Lake City, Dmitry’s buddy Alysa, a shifter and living portal (it’s a long story), is under suspicion for it by the Spiral. The agency in charge of managing the mystical to keep the mundane world never the wiser. Now Dmitry’s going to have to make a decision. Is keeping his head down worth risking one of his best friends? Is hiding from his cousins going to keep anyone safe?

I think Dmitry’s gonna need that beer.

“Stitched” is the first book in the Kozlov Chronicles (current) trilogy by Elena Sobol. With rich dives into old Slav culture, mythology, and adventure, the reader is immersed in Dmitry’s Salt Lake City, celebrating his brewing triumphs, and sweating the next firecat attack. The character and setting descriptions are rich and beautiful, so much so that you can almost smell the grass in the Vyraj. The story is a page-turning blast, from start to finish, making the reader never want to put it down and look forward to more when they reach the end. Now, for the first time available as an audiobook, the characters are brought to an even brighter life with stunning narration and beautiful descriptions. I cannot possibly recommend this audiobook (or if those aren’t your thing, e-book or novel) enough. A must-read addition to the Urban Fantasy genre that readers only knew they needed once they had it. Enjoy!

I received a free copy of this audiobook and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Fritz Sands · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first in an urban fantasy series based on Slavic folklore. Dmitri is a young demigod who has not embraced his heritage (and his hesitancy both greatly diminishes his power and also diminishes his risks, although not enough).

The writer clearly draws on the pattern set by Kevin Hearn in the Iron Druid series. I am utterly new to Slavic mythos and so I am not sure how much the author modified it to suit. As with Hearn, other pantheons and mythologies get mixed in. Unfortunately, because I am so unversed in Slavic lore, I am not at all sure which additions to the story are Slavic *and* Norse or Celtic and which are not in Slavic. But they add to the story.

I find a few things very refreshing in this story. Dmitri does not want to save the world using his powers -- he wants to grow plants and make excellent beer and wine. He would love to simply be left alone, but that is not to be. His shpe-shifting ferret/girl sidekick is an absolute delight, and generates sexual tension.

The action sequences tended to get into a pattern of getting into a hopeless situation and then something unexpected pulls them out of it. A pretty standard pattern but there was a lot of repetition. The two dark fae companions are very interesting, and will be incorporated into his life going forward.

I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Adena Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This coming-of-age story comes late in the life of our hero Dimi (age 28) but he goes through all the emotional ups and downs and personal growth I expect from a coming-of-age story. I guess that is to expected of an abused boy with demigod relatives who really make the typical dysfunctional family look downright cuddly. Dimi's sudden growing up process might have been abrupt, painful and adventurous (ask a soldier for their definition of adventure) but I really appreciate how that process, coupled with his less-than-stellar relation with relatives, has turned him into a formidable protector. The bad news is that Dimi the newly heroic is going to have lots of opportunity to show his heroism. It is a good thing that the author also gave him good friends.

I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa Tobleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

thoroughly enjoyed this urban fantasy

I like pantheon demigod stories. Especially when it’s not expressly the ones that have been told a Lot (greek, Roman, Egyptian,’ ok so Norse and Slavic have been up there, but this is fun. I like that All the pantheons are in this world, but we only really care about the Slavic ones. I grew up with stories from Russia and Ireland so hearing Baba Yaga and Rusalka are fun. The MC is a demigod and his sidekick is a electric blue shape shifting portal. They are only friends though so there isn’t a weird romance that interferes with the story. If there IS romance it isn’t in book 1, which is nice. So yay! Story. Follow a demigod who can brew beer his sidekick and two dark elves as they battle monsters and try to stay off the supernatural law’s bad side. Overall a great book one. Onward to book two!

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Demigod on the run

I'm a big fantasy fan and Stitched did not disappoint me. Dmitry is a cool cat but a clueless demigod. His life so far has consisted of hiding away from his magical home and trying to stay under the radar of his powerful and destructive relatives. Thank goodness he has allies that he can count on. I loved the variety of characters and magical locations. I found the story exciting and I am looking forward to sharing it with my teenage kids. The only problem I have with Sobol's book is that I was so engaged in the plot I was finished reading too quickly. Happily book two is on the way.

[Sarah Metcalf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading mythology stories and this was no exception. I’ve never really read anything dealing with Slavic myths and it was “informative” and enjoyable! I’ve heard of Baba Yaga and this is a great twist to that story. Dmitry is her grandson and is hiding on earth (yav) to hide from his evil cousins. Portals are being opened all over his city and he has to find out why to save his friend Alyssa, a shape shifting blue ferret who is able to open portals. There are magical worlds, monsters and mayhem. I enjoyed this book and look forward to getting to the next one.

[Lori S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Dmitri is a demigod who'd rather brew beer than accept his status as a demigod, the son of a goddess, and the grandson of Baba Yaga herself. His cousins are all bullies, he has a universe hopping friend who can turn into a blue furred ferret, and he's got a problem with portals opening up all over Salt Lake City. Gifted with his wit and a pair of needles that can turn into daggers, Dmitri has to figure out his dilemmas fast, travel to where the myths of the Slavs live, and stop his cousin from burning down his home.

Light, quick, read.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the Slavic mythology, Dmitry's earth skills and his blue sidekick. The storyline is pretty good, but it took me months to read this short book because it just never hooked me. I'm not really interested in going further with the series because it lacks substance. There's action and some interesting character, different realms of reality, too, but I couldn't connect with the characters. Everything was kind of vague, more of a detailed outline.

[John-Torleif Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun & interesting pantheon

I liked reading about a pantheon that I’m not too familiar with. I’d be interested in learning more of Dolya’s powers, and what the knitting needles can do - or what Dmitry can do with them.

Are all of Dmitry’s cousins also demi-gods? Who are the full gods and who are half? What difference do that make to their powers? Was Dmitry a demi-god at the end of this book? Or had he ascended to the next level?

[E.R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

good start

This was a fun book. It’s a little different than my regular type of book. This books deals with demigods and Slavic folklore. It starts clunky but stick with it for a good yarn.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome story

Saw this advertised and had to hop on it! Nice story, with lots of action. Love the different myths and folklore that are used. Not your usual ones. Looking forward to the next one!

[Seda Galstian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read

This book reminded me Iron Druid series. It’s tone, lighthearted story. Very entertaining, lots of action, hero is likable and is learning. It’s nice that things are not easy for him. I am looking forward to reading the second book. I like Slavic pantheon, different.

[Di · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, entertaining, never dull as the story continued to move forward on every page. Looking to read more of this Slavic based urban fantasy series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[tburbr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great start to a new series. The character work and story line were well written and kept me entertained from start to finish. I look forward to seeing what happens next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tom Petersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

What do you get when you mix a beer brewing demigod, a planer ferret, a spell slinging goblin, and two dark elves? A good story.
Worth the read for the MCs frequent cringe worthy thoughts. Tom out

[Erica Rue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the mc, a demigod into beer and gardening who was also a decent person. I found the battle scenes with his knitting needles/daggers cool, and the mythology was one I hadn't read much about. It was an easy, fun read, and I enjoyed the characters' quips.

[Dennis Heizelman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

I enjoyed reading this book and learning about a different pantheon of monsters and gods. Some I knew a little about, others not so much. Urban fantasy is my favorite genre so the more gods and monsters. the merrier.

[Aoann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Something different. I found it delightful for a first in a series. World building is perfect. Light hearted and fun. Can't wait for book two.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really fun read, very much looking forward to the second in the series!

[Donny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stitched was a fun Urban Fantasy romp through a different pantheon than we usually see in the West.

[Marsha Neyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Fresh pantheon, fresh refuse to heed the call. Some slick references that I really liked. Good chemistry with the supporting characters.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and the setting, trying to keep a spoiler free review. :)

[Robert L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book

This is a fine urban fantasy adventure novel. It is well written and edited. I especially like the dark elf. I anxiously await the sequel.

[Janet Henson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable read!

I was shocked at how well the Author portrayed her story and the characters were distinct and immediately relatable. Great work Miss Sobol ❤️

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic series

This series captivated me from beginning to end. Absolutely fantastic writing! Highly recommend. I can’t wait to read some of the “spinoffs”!

[RUDOLPH C TENCH JR · Rating 5 out of 5]

How does a demi-god prosper in Salt lake city

What do you do when your cousin who has been hunting for you For years shows up to kill you and burn down your city.