Born of sin and carved from stone and bark, Zethos has never known the warmth of flesh or the mercy of the gods who cursed him. Forsaken for the crimes of his ancestors, he walks a world that fears him, kept going only by the voice that calls to him in his dreams.
When a strange blue mist sweeps across the land and soldiers hunt the innocent in the Emperor’s name, Zethos is driven from hiding and into a conflict he never wanted. A mysterious girl, a forest of ancient secrets, and a prophecy older than the empire all pull him toward a truth he isn’t ready to face.
As the line between divinity and corruption blurs, Zethos must decide whether he’ll become the monster everyone believes he is… or something far more dangerous.
Horns and Bark is a dark fantasy of myth, guilt, and survival—where gods lie, legends bleed, and a single cursed boy may decide the fate of a dying world.
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Volume 1 Map
This map marks the beginning of Zethos’ path — from the ancient Giants’ Forest to the city of Stel, the setting of the first volume in his journey.
Readers Favorite
Horns and Bark by M.M.D.A blends dark fantasy with elements of myth, horror, and political drama, creating a world that feels harsh but deeply thought out.
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Reviewed by Ibrahim Aslan for Readers’ Favorite
Horns and Bark by M.M.D.A blends dark fantasy with elements of myth, horror, and political drama, creating a world that feels harsh but deeply thought out. The narrative switches between different characters’ viewpoints, which makes it easier to see how each person is affected by the events occurring around them. It also helped me follow the bigger conflict without becoming overwhelmed by the details. The writing moves between simple dialogue and vivid descriptions, giving the world a heavy, unsettling atmosphere that fits the themes of exile, oppression, and survival. The characters change as they face fear, loyalty, and tough decisions, and even those who look monstrous are written with surprising detail and empathy. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy dark, morally complex fantasy stories. I am confident they'll enjoy reading it as much as I did.
About Me
Storytelling is my passion, and I write to capture the strange, the beautiful, and the unsettling. Every book I release is another step in building worlds I hope you’ll lose yourself in.