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Valentyn Chemeris (1936-2016), a famous Ukrainian writer, author of historical and fantasy novels and short stories, essays, collections of humour, satire, parodies, and works for children, was the recipient of many literary awards, including the International Prize of the Ukrainian Cossacks "Knight's Pen" (2008). He began his career in 1959, and his track record is impressive: over 70 books were published during his lifetime. The most prominent place in the writer's work is occupied by historical novels, some of which have even become cult. In these works, the author tells about Ukraine's past in an interesting, indifferent and impartial way, using vivid images that arouse the imagination, leave a mark in the soul, and make you proud of your people

This novel tells the story of the Hetmanate, which was the semi-official name of the Left Bank Ukraine along with Kyiv in Russia in the eighteenth century. After Hetman Mazepa sided with the Swedish King Charles XII, Peter the Great did everything he could to destroy the Ukrainian Hetmanate. But 41 years later, it was revived by Elizabeth. Together with her favourite Cossack son Alexei Razumovsky (with whom the empress later entered into a secret Morganatic marriage), she visited Ukraine. Taking advantage of her presence in Kyiv, the Cossack elders petitioned for a hetman to be elected in Ukraine. At Elizabeth's suggestion, the educated Kyrylo Razumovsky, Oleksiy's younger brother, was elected. And so began the 14-year reign of the new hetman, a time of relative peace, economic growth and cultural flourishing in Ukraine - the golden autumn of the Hetmanate....