Myk

Prince of the Vends

Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
683 Pages
Reviewed on 09/07/2015
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Publication History

Hardback Publications: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT RECLAMAS, BUT COULDN”T FIND OUT, Exposition Press, 1974, 143 Pages, non-fiction.

Paperback Publications: Eagles Cry Blood, Zebra, 1986/2003, 494 pages, fiction; Survivor of Nam series (Warner Books) Baptism, 1988, 188 pages, fiction, P.O.W, 1988, 183 pages, fiction, Black Market, 1988, 201 pages, fiction, Court-Martial, 1988, 201 pages, fiction; Fields of Honor series (Signet Books) The Medal of Honor, 1990, 318 pages, fiction, The Distinguished Service Cross, 1991, 301 pages, fiction, The Silver Star, 1991, 301 pages, fiction, The Soldier’s Medal, 1991, 316 pages, fiction, The Bronze Star, 1992, 320 pages, fiction.

E-Book Publications (Amazon.com kindle editions): The Jester’s Club (Dec2012), War Sins (Jan2013), WWIIAR EAGLES (Feb2013), MYK: Prince of the Vends (May,2013); DAVID’S CHILD, RED TABS, Son of War, Rabbit Hunt, The Amerasians (July 2013); EMOTIONAL VAMPIRES (August 2013)

Newspaper Columns: Byline: THOUGHTS FROM THE RIGHT, 352 weekly columns published (1,000-1,250 words per column) Troy Somerset Gazette and Northwest Gazette. (Detroit suburbs) 150,000 readers. (1987-1995)

Biographical History

Zlotnik served nine years with the United States Army Special Forces with 31 months in combat during the Vietnam War. He served as the executive officer of two Special Forces A Teams; Duc-Co (A-253) and My-An (A-426) and he served with the elite MACV-SOG’s northern operation—Command and Control North (CCN)

Zlotnik left the military and was hired by the General Dynamics Corporation as an executive where he served as a public relations director marketing the highly successful M-1 and M-1A Abrams main battle tank.

Zlotnik taught creative writing for five years at Tiffin University and Rhodes State College in Ohio.

Zlotnik founded his own treatment level foster care agency in 2000 to help troubled teenagers find and focus on a positive success-based future. He sold his agency and retired from foster care in 2003 and writes novels and screenplays full-time.

Zlotnik has lived eleven years overseas in; Italy, Germany and Southeast Asia and is constantly expanding his knowledge on different subjects he selects to write novels and spec movie scripts about and has established an extensive network of; company executives, government employees, mercenaries and savants from around the world.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Chris Fischer for Readers' Favorite

Whoa! What an epic read. In author D.E. Zlotnik's new novel, Myk: Prince of the Vends, readers will find themselves absolutely immersed in the world of second century Europe (in roughly the area that we would now find Poland.) We are introduced to Myk, the son of the village chief. He's not yet considered a man by Vend standards, but in many ways is eager to prove himself. Valen is a Roman and the leader of a troop of soldiers who ride horses, and Rud Khan is a explorer of Mongol descent, leading a small group of warriors. All three will encounter each other, for better or for worse, in a conflict that could end any or all of them.

I loved this book. Loved. It. I will admit that the size of it originally intimidated me, as it might some readers, but don't let it! Myk: Prince of the Vends is a masterful piece of historical fiction that is full of action, adventure and excitement. The storyline will leave you wondering what will happen next when you are inevitably pulled away from the book, and you will feel called back to it as soon as you have a free moment, simply because you will be dying to find out what happens next. It's clear that author D.E. Zlotnik has done his homework in writing this novel, and his work shines through in all of the wonderful details he imparts when he describes scenes and scenarios. Any reader who loves historical fiction, action, adventure, thrills or simply a great read should definitely pick up MYK: Prince of the Vends. This is the first book that I've read by D.E. Zlotnik, but it certainly will not be the last. I, for one, hope that he is hard at work on his next book in this genre. When it's available, I will certainly be in line to get it!

Donald E. Zlotnik

I spent ten years researching and writing MYK: PRINCE OF THE VENDS. By living in Europe for 11 years, I had the opportunity to visit many world class museums and study artifacts from that era. If you enjoy good historical fiction based on facts--MYK is your "huckleberry!" In hardback the sage sells for $45.00. It's a bargain as an E-Book!

David B. SImmons

5.0 out of 5 stars A compelling, epic story of second century life in northern Europe. May 21, 2013
By David B. Simmons
Amazon Verified Purchase
History is not my favorite subject, nor is fiction necessarily my favorite style of writing, but the pre-release summary of this historical novel sounded very appealing, capturing my interest. When I realized this is a book the equivalent of just under a thousand pages in mass market paperback I balked, feeling at my slower reading speed I may get bogged down, losing interest along the way. In spite of my reluctance, curiosity won out and I ordered the e-book, and after a few pages into the story I was totally "hooked."

The beauty of "Myk" is the result of two factors; thorough historical research and what the author calls "word pictures" ..... A very artistic, skillful and protracted "story telling" or weaving together the details of life at that time, illustrating the differing cultures of the peoples involved. The first half of the story provides a background of the different tribes and cultures of Europe starting with the industrious and defense minded Vend tribe of the north, followed by the disciplined military Romans from the south and finally the Mongol tribe from the east. We're also introduced to the Druid priests. Characters are presented in their best and worst light; powerful, political, fair-minded, ambitious, skillful, kind, barbaric, sexually perverted, cunning and so on. The author draws the reader in close enough to observe and understand each of them. They are credible characters; after all, they reflect personalities no different from those of today.

But enemy forces are not the only peril the tribes face; famines are not uncommon throughout the region, resulting in frequent inter-tribal raiding for survival as food becomes increasingly scarce. Dreaded communicable diseases often pose a larger threat than the enemies, wiping out major percentages of the tribes. We observe discoveries such as the Vend tribe's burning of black rock (coal) for heat, and inventions such as the centuries perfected composite war bows of the Mongols. We experience the grandeur and horrors of the Roman Colosseums, and the superior horse riding and archery skills of the Mongols. Each society has its strengths, but also its weaknesses.

The second half of the story is the fruit born of the first half's seeds. All the intricate descriptions of the separate personalities, tribes and civilizations now meld into the larger story, and we know and understand each player intimately. We observe the dreadful work of the Druid priest at its ugliest; ritualistic, sadistic and cannibalistic, and their influence over tribal leaders through fear of their non-Christian gods. What truly surprises the reader most, however, is the sudden twist to the story that transpires among the various groups. To tell, or even hint at the details would be to rob the reader of the thrill from the climax of the story.

This book has the making of a true classic which I hope to see in bound format at some point to add to my library. I couldn't help but think of Tolkien's "Trilogy" or Homer's "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" while reading; there's a tremendous appeal for the highly descriptive and compelling story presented. The author makes a rather bold statement in the pre-release note of his work: "I assure you the action-packed historically accurate narrative will not disappoint." He keeps his word, and then some.

I've spent considerable time composing this review, as I feel a writing of this quality has earned and deserves a review of equal quality. I'm not certain that's been totally accomplished, so I'll finish with two short statements; "It will not disappoint" and.... Thank you Mr. Zlotnik for this wonderful story.