Olha Navrotska Hosted a Private Literary Brunch Dedicated to the Fantasy Novel "Khort. The First Kharakternyk"

Recently, Ukrainian writer and co-creator of the fantasy universe "The Chronicles of Power", Olha Navrotska, gathered leading book bloggers at a closed literary brunch, where she presented exclusive copies of the novel "Khort. The First Kharakternyk" for early review. The full release of the book is scheduled for September 1, 2025. This novel will become the first part of a literary saga that will serve as the foundation for the Ukrainian fantasy universe "The Chronicles of Power", created in collaboration with director and producer Alan Badoev.

During the event, there was an open discussion in which the author shared behind-the-scenes details about the creation of the novel’s world: she spoke about her own Place of Power, the romantic storyline, her favorite characters in the book, and much more.

According to Olha, the idea for the book emerged back in 2018, but it wasn’t until 2022 that she was able to bring it to life. She wrote the novel in just a few months. It is an epic story about the first kharakternyk Cossack named Khort — a mythical warrior-mage who unites pagan gods and magical creatures to fight against the darkness rising from the Northeast.

The events unfold across 12 real Places of Power — from Lysa Hora to the Stone Village. Here, ancient myths, modern events, and magic intertwine into a new Ukrainian epic, in which every reader can see reflections of themselves and the world around them.

Khort’s story is a reimagining of the present through the language of fantasy. Real events, legends of Ukrainian deities, historical figures, and mythical beings all merge together. Witty humor and relatable situations make this world vivid and close to the reader.

Within the "Chronicles of Power" universe, a screen adaptation of the novel is also in development (with the script being created with support from the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation), along with a comic book set for release in 2026. These projects will offer an even deeper immersion into the magical world crafted by the author.

During the brunch, Olha Navrotska also announced that she is already working on the second installment of Khort’s story. At the end of the event, she personally handed out 10 exclusive signed copies of the book.

The novel "Khort. The First Kharakternyk" will be published on September 1, 2025, by KSD Publishing. Pre-orders for a limited signed edition by Olha Navrotska and Alan Badoev are currently open.

Supported by the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation, general partners Mastercard and Oschadbank, and general media partner 1+1 Media and the TV channel "1+1 Ukraine."