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Eleventh Cycle

Mistland #1 / 2
by Kian N. Ardalan
Eleventh Cycle (Mistland #1) by Kian N. Ardalan
⧗ 9.00 / 1
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It has been a thousand years since the last Seed abandoned their duty. The mists are closing in. Finally, the Morning Bell tolls. A new Seed is born, but is it too late?

The rot eats away at mortals. The Witnesses pray so that they may not turn into one of the forgotten. And the constricting mists infect the lands with fear.

But there is more to this tale than just the Elders and their Seeds. Four mortals will have a part to play in Minethria’s fate. A farmer girl with only love in her eyes. A warrior born to the life of a refugee. A highborn stuck between the realm of gods and men. And a woman running into front lines and away from home.

Will the cycle finally be completed? Or will the mist swallow all?

A seed is born and the evil is slain, so doth another cycle commence. Yet the last Seed born hath turned traitor, and the mists, which had been pushed back, returneth.

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Fantasy
Release date: February 1, 2023

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Kian N. Ardalan

Kian N. Ardalan

Kian N. Ardalan’s writing journey is as eclectic and rich as his cultural roots. Born in Düsseldorf to Iranian parents, Kian grew up immersed in multiple worlds, drawing inspiration from his diverse upbringing. This global perspective is reflected in his writing, where he seamlessly blends fantasy with intricate, deeply human narratives. A lover of literature from a young age, Kian’s early fascination with fantasy authors like Darren Shan and Anthony Horowitz ignited his passion for storytelling. What began as a hobby quickly evolved into a career, shifting from sociology studies to writing full-time.

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Kian's debut novel, The Fantastically Underwhelming Epic, challenges the conventions of traditional fantasy. With its quirky protagonist, a reluctant bard, and his sarcastic skull companion, the novel offers a unique blend of humor and world-building. It’s a refreshing departure from typical epic fantasy, filled with sharp wit and the kind of charm that invites readers into a world both familiar and unexpected.

But Kian’s work doesn’t stop at light-hearted fantasy. His second book, Eleventh Cycle, plunges into the darker realms of grimdark fantasy, drawing comparisons to the gritty, brutal worlds of Dark Souls and Berserk. Here, Kian explores the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth within a morally ambiguous world. The novel’s complexity and dark themes have quickly established it as a standout in the grimdark genre, earning praise for its world-building and character depth.

Currently residing in Vienna, Kian is continuing to expand his universe with the upcoming Mistland series, the next installment of which, Forgotten Seed, is set to release in 2025. Known for his captivating mix of humor and darkness, Kian N. Ardalan’s work is for readers who crave not just fantastical adventures but stories that explore the shadowy corners of life, where every choice and cycle carries weight.

Mistland

In the shadowed world of Mistland, legends decay as quickly as the bodies that once carried them. This is not a realm of shining heroes or clean victories—this is a land where the gods have long since turned away, and hope has curdled into myth. The series opens with Eleventh Cycle, an unflinching descent into a dark fantasy landscape shaped by ruin, memory, and the lies people cling to when truth proves unbearable.

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What sets this series apart is not just its bleak beauty, but how it refuses the comforts of predictability. Where others offer saviors, Mistland gives you the broken. Its characters are not guided by fate but by wounds—emotional, physical, and spiritual—that shape every bitter choice. Each thread of the story pulls the reader deeper into a world where history is both scripture and curse, where the cycle of rebirth is more threat than promise, and where the line between mortal and divine has long since blurred into shadow.

The writing is stark and evocative, echoing the haunting resonance of works like The Broken Empire and the existential dread of Dark Souls. Yet even in the bleakness, there’s something deeply human. This isn’t fantasy built on spectacle—it’s carved from sorrow, memory, and the stubborn flicker of resilience.

Perfect for readers drawn to grimdark fantasy with philosophical depth and morally gray characters, Mistland is less about saving the world and more about surviving the truths it reveals. And sometimes, that’s the greater battle.


Mistland consists of one book and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of one more book. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.

Eleventh Cycle (Mistland #1)
⧗ 9.00 / 1
Mistland Book 2 (Mistland #2)
⧗ 9.66 / 3


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