Epic Journeys Await
The journey is as much a part of the quest as is the destination—Sophos the Centaur.
The Thrace and the Centaur Series
A YA mythic fantasy adventure in four parts
What if the stories were real—and the gods remembered your name?
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In this gripping young adult fantasy series, sixteen-year-old Thrace is thrust into a world where ancient myths live, immortals manipulate fate, and even the gods have something to lose. When his mother falls into a mysterious coma, Thrace and his best friend Parker are pulled into a quest that will test their loyalty, courage, and strength beyond anything they imagined.
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From battles with legendary creatures to a descent into the Underworld, Thrace must navigate broken alliances, haunting prophecies, and his own blood-soaked destiny. Alongside allies both mortal and divine, he faces the painful cost of heroism—and the powerful legacy of the father he never truly knew.
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Three volumes released. One epic conclusion to come.
01
A violent vision. A mother’s fall. A myth reborn.
Just days before his 16th birthday, Thrace witnesses his mother collapse into a mysterious coma—moments after a strange and beautiful woman appears in their backyard. With his best friend Parker and a cryptic guide named Sophos, Thrace is thrust into a world of ancient powers and immortal battles. To save his mother, he must face a danger far greater than anything he’s ever imagined—one that blurs the line between legend and reality.
02
A bond upheld . A path to the dead. A journey of redemption.
As Thrace and Parker prepare for Aphrodite’s summons, a bloodied warrior arrives with a plea that changes everything. With Sophos missing and war looming, the friends embark on a perilous journey that leads them to the gates of the Underworld itself. Reunions, betrayals, and ancient prophecies collide as Thrace is forced to confront what it truly means to be a son of Ares—and whether he’s ready for the cost of the choices ahead.
03
An oath owed. A god imprisoned. A warrior reborn.
Still reeling from the Underworld, Thrace is whisked back to Colorado—only to be summoned by Aphrodite to honor a promise he made. Alongside Parker and Sophos, he must now rescue Ares, the God of War, from his vengeful half brother. Haunted by hate, burdened by blood, and driven by legacy, Thrace must confront not only his enemies—but the truth of who he is becoming.
Discover the Myth
"Bender's debut novel is an epic young adult fantasy that incorporates classical lore, intonations and references into an ode to the lasting greatness of Greek Myth."
The Mind Behind the Myth
Keith Bender is a writer, traveler, and former U.S. Marine who’s traded ancient battlegrounds and world adventures for the mythic worlds of his imagination. A graduate of San Diego State University with a degree in History and a minor in Classics, Keith brings a lifelong love of epic tales to life in the Thrace and the Centaur series—an award-deserving saga steeped in gods, quests, and the grit of becoming.
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He’s lived across nine states, stood on all seven continents, and once took a polar plunge in both the Arctic and Antarctic (yes, on purpose). His travels have brought him face-to-face with sparring polar bears, ancient ruins, and the timeless beauty of Delphi—but he still counts his first glimpse of the Acropolis as one of life’s most unforgettable moments.
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When he’s not writing or rereading The Iliad, Keith works in San Diego’s craft beer scene and spends time with his wife, Dr. Amy Centers, their noble rescue dog, Atlas, and a cat the size—and appetite—of a puma. He’s currently working on the fourth and final installment of the series, and promises—hooves crossed—it won’t take as long as the last.
Friendship, fate, and a fight for the Gods. Your adventure starts here.
