Dr. Nikolay (Nick) Petrov is Assistant Professor of Religion in the Department of Philosophy and Religion at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke. An interdisciplinary scholar, he teaches courses in religion and philosophy, with research and writing interests spanning religious history, world religions, mythology, philosophy, Byzantine and Ottoman history. His publications include Introduction to World Religions: The Essentials (Great River Learning, 2025), Robert College of Constantinople: Crossroads of Faith, Cultures and Empires, 1863–1913 (Lexington Books, 2023), and a chapter in The Child in Post-Apocalyptic Cinema, Television, and Literature (Lexington Books, 2023).

The Blood of Tangra is Petrov’s debut novel, a historical epic fantasy set in the turbulent world of the early ninth century. Drawing on his scholarly interest in Byzantine history, medieval Europe, religion, and mythology, the novel blends meticulously researched history with Slavic folklore, Bulgar legend, Byzantine intrigue, and ancient myth. Petrov brings to life a forgotten world of emperors, warriors, princes, and priests, where the struggles of kingdoms unfold alongside forces far older than the faiths and civilizations that surround them. When he is not teaching or writing, Petrov enjoys traveling, exploring medieval sites, and leading study abroad programs across Europe.