Welcome to the World of

The Golden Zilant

Stephen Prendergast is the author of The Golden Zilant series, which includes The Sword of Digez (2023), The Cult of Tuphrak (2024), and The Land of the Khalik (coming late 2025). In addition to writing his series, he is a full-time educator, a part-time journalist, and a partner in a small media company. He finds his inspiration from classic fantasy series and Tatar folktales related to him by a friend.

The Golden Zilant is a planned six-book portal fantasy-adventure series that follows Medieval reenactors Allen Josephson and Jason Elser as they are transported into an alternate reality of meddling gods, shapeshifting monsters, a megalomaniac emperor bent on conquest, and a banished god seeking to return from the Plain of Temug. Together with Taliana, the woman who brought them to this new reality, and new friends they meet along their journey, they must find a way to prevent the efforts of Emperor Khaghan to return the spirit of the god Tuphrak from banishment to dwell in him. The adventure will take the two men from the land of Khazar to Urman Patshaligi, the homeland of the mysterious Khalik, and eventually to the enemy lands of Arasinda Direz.

Praise for the books of The Golden Zilant

The Sword of Digez

Stephen Prendergast gifts readers with a Medieval fantasy world brimming with formidable challenges and two new friends you’ll be reluctant to part with.

Alessandra Coco - Author of The Conspiracy

Character-driven portal fantasy at its best…The characters here are truly the greatest strength of the tale, as through Allen and Jason, the strange world of Zhir grows into focus. There’s a ton of world building going on, but by seeing it through the eyes of characters from our own world, it comes together quickly.

Roger Sandri - Author of The Den of Stone

[T]he worldbuilding is richly lavish and believable, and Prendergast has done a really good job of creating a fascinating cast of characters and a fantasy setting distinctly different to ones I've read before…Fans of classic fantasy like Conan the Barbarian, the Wheel of Time, the Chronicles of Narnia and just portal fantasy in general will find something to enjoy in this opening segment of a planned six part series.

Luke Courtney - Author of The Girl Who Sings to Dragons

Prendergast has created a beautiful and interesting world that has you curious with every turn. He has created amazing characters that have you root for them. I felt sad when the characters felt sad, strong when they felt strong. The emotions bleed beautifully on paper in this story.

Amanda Sloothaak - Author of Fire Fox and Ice Wolves

The book is very exciting and keeps you turning the pages. The multiple character viewpoints make things interesting!

Amazon Reviewer

The Sword of Digez has a perfect balance of action, adventure and romance, with a dash of history. Prendergast's creative use of linguistics shines throughout the storyline, reminiscent of Tolkein.

Amazon Reviewer

The author does a fantastic job crafting the characters with such depth. He has made them relatable, and even flawed, and his writing makes you feel what the characters are feeling - no spoilers here!

Amazon Reviewer