The Chyhyryn Centurion — Leonid Kononovych

The story unfolds in the 17th century, in the aftermath of Bohdan Khmelnytsky’s death—the period known as the Ruin. The protagonist, a young Cossack named Mykyta, finds himself caught up not only in political intrigues but also in the ancient struggle between light and darkness.

His father, a former centurion of Chyhyryn, possessed the secret knowledge of the kharakternyks. Now Mykyta must undergo a rite of passage to master the power passed down to him and protect his homeland not only from earthly enemies (the nobility, the Tatars, and the Muscovite archers) but also from the otherworldly forces of the sinister Black Mage.

Key features of the book:

Cossack charakternik myth: The author describes in detail the magic of the charakterniks—the ability to become invisible, transform into animals, “spell” bullets, and see the future.

Language: Kononovych uses a rich, archaic-style Ukrainian language. The text is filled with archaisms and dialectal expressions, creating an incredible sense of immersion in the era.

The Battle for the Soul: In addition to sword fights, the book devotes significant space to spiritual choices, the realization of one’s destiny, and the price one must pay for power.