ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michael Tlustos has been a graphic designer, video producer, and publications editor. After years of managing projects, he has taken on the hardest project of all: himself. When not exercising his body, mind, and spirit, he is out exploring the wilds of his native Oregon.
I started Heirs to the Kingdom a number of years ago, while caring for my mother during her terminal illness. When I was able to find time for myself, I sought escape from my grief and helplessness by writing. I had always found hope and inspiration in fantasy stories and decided to create one for myself. I wanted to include what, for me, were always the most powerful elements of fantasy:
A medieval setting, picturesque kingdom, dark forests and magical caves, a battle of good vs. evil, natural disasters, secret knowledge and ancient prophecy, a mysterious wizard, the Chosen One coming of age and discovering his power, reincarnation and resurrection, portals to supernatural realms, a fateful quest, a search for abducted loved ones, and an epic showdown.
Throughout it all, one thought stayed foremost in my mind. What would it be like for my characters to love each other far more profoundly than we seem able to experience in real life? As if they were intimately connected over many lifetimes and across vast stretches of time.
In the end, that became my great hope. That our love for each other might ultimately survive the dark times and scourges of war and suffering we face today, and that have always been inseparable from the human condition. To know that we are not alone.
–Michael
REVIEWS
"Michael Tlustos announces himself as a confident and ambitious voice in epic fantasy. Heirs to the Kingdom is a sweeping, big-hearted adventure that channels the best traditions of the genre – prophecy, destiny, sacrifice, and the forging of unlikely bonds – while investing them with a genuine emotional sincerity that sets it apart."
– Píaras Ó Cíonnaoíth, author and Goodreads top reviewer
“A classic coming-of-age fantasy, Heirs to the Kingdom by Michael Tlustos is an adventurous tale of destiny with epic existential stakes.
The descriptive world-building is immersive and consistent, letting readers lounge in the summoned visions of feasts, battles, royal courts, sprawling settings, and gritty back alleyways. Omniscient narration makes for a transportive reading experience, helping to establish the context of the realm, interpersonal dynamics, and the general direction of the story-line. The patient introduction of core characters gives each a chance to breathe and come to life on the page. Symon and Rolf create the perfect balance of influential forces on Aramys’ life, echoing at times the dynamic of Gandalf and Samwise Gamgee in Frodo’s legendary fellowship.
Tlustos aspires to and achieves a similar epic quality, with lines that deepen the immersion in the characters and landscape in equal measure. The incorporation of subtly contemporary themes gives the story another layer of urgency, from the danger of unsubstantiated news and blind patriotism to defiance of gender norms and the vainglory of war. The thoughtful dissections of these topics between characters – particularly Erik, Pim, Rolf, and Aramys – reflect a curious and compassionate perspective on life writ large, no matter the setting.
The novel is a satisfying work of fantasy, offering a captivating tale of loyalty, magical maturation, and the complex burden of greatness.”
– Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★
