The Ribni Ezera Series

Fish Lakes:
Knowledge to Die For

Halastavak: A Tudásért Meghalni

In Bulgaria's Rila mountains, software engineer Dimitar adjusts to life after society's collapse. When his daughter falls ill, he must risk everything to save her, leveraging the very technology that may now threaten his family's survival.

About the Book

In Bulgaria's Rila mountains, software engineer Dimitar adjusts to life after society's collapse. Stranded with his three children, three shepherd dogs, and a flock of sheep, he's learning to survive in this new reality.

When his three-year-old daughter Mara falls dangerously ill, Dimitar relies on what he knows best—an AI system he smuggled from the city. But to save Mara, he must risk contact with the outside world, where many would kill for working AI technology.

As Dimitar navigates between his technological skills and this new rural existence, he discovers that the very tools that once defined his life may now threaten his family's survival.

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For fans of Emily St. John Mandel's intimate Station Eleven

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And Peter Heller's wilderness-centered The Dog Stars

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A slow-burning post-apocalyptic tale

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Explores technology vs. nature in crisis

Rila Mountains

Praise for Fish Lakes

"A haunting meditation on our reliance on technology and the primal skills we've forgotten. This compelling tale of human resilience reminds us what truly matters when everything falls apart."

— Endorser 1

"Brilliantly explores the tension between modern knowledge and ancient wisdom. A beautifully crafted story of a father's love against the backdrop of societal collapse."

— Endorser 2

"A masterful blend of post-apocalyptic anxiety and intimate family drama. This powerful debut lingers long after the final page."

— Endorser 3

Author portrait

About the Author

Miklós Koren lives in Budapest and Vienna. He first visited the Rila Mountains in 1984.