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Rob J. Hayes
Rob J. Hayes is the author of dark fantasy novels like The Heresy Within and Deathless. If you enjoy grim stories with a touch of the supernatural, his work is definitely worth checking out.
Never Die
Synopsis
An eight-year-old boy named Ein is tasked by the god of death with a seemingly impossible mission: kill the immortal Emperor of Ten Kings. To succeed, Ein must gather legendary heroes, but there's a catch – they must die before they can serve him. This wuxia adventure is set in the world of Mortal Techniques.
Genres
Characters
EinProtagonist
Emperor of Ten KingsAntagonist
Itami ChoSupporting
Known as the Whispering Blade, a legendary warrior killed and revived to serve Ein as Shintei, bound by her own code of honor as much as his power.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to read other books in the Mortal Techniques series first?
This novel is a standalone story that can be read entirely independently of the other books in the Mortal Techniques universe. While the books share the same world and thematic influences, each entry features its own distinct cast and narrative arc.
What inspired the writing style and world of this book?
The author wrote this story as a love letter to martial arts films, drawing heavily from wuxia cinema, shonen anime, and Japanese folklore. The combat sequences are specifically designed to mirror the visual choreography found in these cinematic and animated traditions.