Followed By Fire (The Incineration Saga, #1) Reviewed by 📖 rainanightingale author / book blogger

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The Dragon's Tongue Reviewed by 📖 rainanightingale author / book blogger

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The Children of Chaos (The Cruel Gods #2) Reviewed by 📖 SKaeth author

Tethered Spirits Reviewed by 📖 rainanightingale author / book blogger

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Crown of Nightmares (The Venatrix Chronicles Book 7) Reviewed by 📖 SKaeth author

Bake Happy by Cori Cooper

Cat has this baking thing down! Now that she's been to the family bakery and knows all about her baking abilities, Cat is baking the world a better place one class party and family dinner at a time. Her life is practically perfect until a surprise visit and an even bigger surprise announcement turns Cat's perfectly proofed world into an upside down cake. How is she supposed to bake happy now? Find out in Bake Happy, the third and final book in the Bake Believe Trilogy.

Bake Off by Cori Cooper

Now that Cat knows what her baking can do, it's time to discover why and how! Cat and her family roadtrip all the way to Arizona for Thanksgiving break to find the answers they need at the family bakery. Instead of resolving her bazillion questions, Cat finds herself in the middle of a bakery showdown with suspicion as the main ingredient. Emotions are all over the place as Cat and Robyn learn the hard way that reckless baking and magic is a recipe for disaster.

Bake Believe by Cori Cooper

Baking is messy enough without adding Magic to the mix. Cat Anderson has everything she could ever want. Her best friend is also her cousin, she's about to start eighth grade, and a cute new boy just moved into the neighborhood. Seriously, best life ever. So what if her mom refuses to touch the oven? So what if they always eat frozen food or take-out? So what if Cat doesn't know the difference between homemade and store bought? It's just food. Who even cares? But food, it turns out, is a very big deal. Cat's family has a secret too fantastic to stay hidden, too incredible to be real. Something happens when they bake, something that changes everything. Can it be true? Or is it Bake Believe?

Mother of the Bond by E C Greaves

"I have witnessed the destruction wrought by dreams... The day of bronze and iron is no more." After brutal hardship and bitter loss, now is the time for victory. But for Zyntael Fairwinter, her Vulkari sisters, and the Bare-Skins they call ally, it is a victory that will come at a price. To stand a chance against the Merchant Combine, Zyntael must venture deep behind enemy lines. There she will learn that theirs is a conquest that transcends mere flesh and empire. With danger all around her, and time rapidly running out, Zyntael will need to draw upon all that she has lived, and all that she has learned, if she is to triumph. And, all the while, she must find a way to keep her new pup safe from those who would see his life and his world consumed by war. For, although she may not be able to write very well, the contracts that Zyntael has made with Sacharr might have spelt her doom and Sprites, alike. After all, whilst the men of Sacharr and the Merchant Combine may each dream of better futures for all, a dream undesired is but a nightmare in disguise. The final instalment in the trilogy carefully weaves the threads first stitched in Daughter of the Beast, and continued in Sister of the Dead, into a rich and satisfying pattern—one that features plenty of action, drama, mystery, and excitement. It will appeal to young adult and adult readers alike, with its diverse and colourful cast of characters, the richly detailed and unique fantasy world of the series, and the moral and philosophical quandaries posed within its pages.

Sister of the Dead by E C Greaves

"Call it ritual or cult, if you will. But it is just business... And the dead have long been our commodity." The Vulkari do not belong within the walls of a city, and Zyntael Fairwinter is no different. So when a perilous quest into the heart of the Old-Reach is planned, Zyntael jumps at the chance to join it. Together with her closest allies, she embarks on a journey to travel beyond the mysterious “Mortuary-City” of Quaresh—to cut off the source of the Merchant Combine’s Necromancy. But there is a reason they call it the Mortuary-City. Between dangerous arcane rituals, pirate attacks, bar fights, and battles—death lurks at every turn. And to make matters worse, only a few short moons remain before Zyntael’s pup is due. The intriguing follow-up to Daughter of the Beast blends action and adventure with the turbulence of soon-to-be motherhood, and the ongoing quest for identity—within a richly detailed and uniquely characterised fantasy world. Sister of the Dead will appeal to both adult and young adult readers, who want their fantasy to balance action, philosophy, and a touch of romance too. The story tackles themes of belonging, self-worth, and one's place in the world, alongside asking the question: what does a Ratling taste like?

Daughter of the Beast by E C Greaves

Fear not the beasts in your stories — with a stout blade and a stouter heart, become the thing they fear. When her sleepy village is raided by the Vulkari, the fearsome warrior women of the Ancient Wilds, only Zyntael Fairwinter is taken. Claimed as a daughter by their infamous matriarch, Zyntael is trained to hunt, to fight, and to kill—all for a purpose, which remains ever out of her grasp. In the company of their unruly young, she might find sisterhood. In their unique customs and beliefs, she might find beauty. And in the violence of their raids, she might even find glory. But it is the reason for her capture that Zyntael truly seeks to find. It is a truth that must be earned from the very Spirits of the dead; a future paid for in the blood of those Zyntael once called her own. It is a purpose that promises the liberation of not just she, but of all the Ancient Wilds, from an evil far greater than any marauding warrior women. The Vulkari, however, are not like other women. The Vulkari are monsters. And sometimes, only the truly monstrous have what it takes to save the world. Steeped in Slavic Myth, and appealing to adult and young adult readers alike, Daughter of the Beast is a rich and unique fantasy coming-of-age story. It is the first in an exciting debut trilogy by E C Greaves, which blends action and adventure, with themes of belonging, identity, destiny, and a girl's place in a harsh and uncaring world—built for, and by, men.

Idriel's Children by Hayley Reese Chow

Reaping darkness, the Shadow slicked steel with judgment and danced with death… Sixteen-year-old Aza inherited the power of shadow to rid the land of evil as Odriel’s cold-blooded assassin. With her growing strength, Aza discovers the Shadow Plane—a realm of wraiths where screams haunt the winds, calling to her. Although her father forbids her from entering the dark realm, Aza can’t ignore the beckoning whispers. When a dangerous new breed of monster attacks, Aza believes the Shadow Plane holds the answers they need to defeat them. With the unwanted help of a snarky cat and a cursed beast, Aza seeks out the monastic Wraith-Called for answers. But the deeper Aza delves into the dark realm, the further she drifts from the world she knows. As Aza uncovers evils new and old, she must decide if the ends really do justify the means… and how many lives she’s willing to pay.

Time's Orphan by Hayley Reese Chow

Speak of pain, and I’ll tell you of the Time who stole it away… Besieged by war, ravaged by monsters, and crawling with the undead, the land of Okarria is dying. Seventeen-year-old Emara survives by using her modest healing gift to save as many as she can while eluding the invaders who thirst for her enchanted blood. So when a cursed cat saves her life and reveals Emara is the legendary Time Heir the necromancer king’s been searching for, she agrees to act as bait in a plot to destroy him. But when the plan goes horrifically awry, Emara must discover how deep her powers go, what she can change… And what she cannot. Unfortunately, Time Heirs have a history of getting killed, and with Okarria’s future on the line, Emara may have no choice but to follow in her ancestors’ footsteps.

A Song of Sorrow by C. E. Page

Keep your head down, stay silent, and never use your magic. These are the rules that Deana has lived by ever since she and her brother lost their parents in a tragic accident. Now Kai is gone as well. He was the only thing keeping her anchored to a world that will never truly accept her. A world that sees her connection to Grandmother Ocean as a curse and her magic as an anomaly that will eventually spin out of her control and destroy everything. When Bran arrived in the Faridean Isles to study the magical affliction plaguing its young prince, he didn’t expect to be thrown into a race to stop a tyrant from unleashing chaos. But when Prince Samir is kidnapped and Deana—the only person who knows the truth about the mysterious shrouded ones—goes missing, he finds himself swept up by the machinations of a centuries-old curse. A curse that when triggered will drag the Isles and all in them into the fathomless deep.

Followed By Fire (The Incineration Saga, #1) by McKenzie Austin

A witch, a demon, and a priest walk into a tavern … Wait, no. A war. Yeah. It’s definitely a war. In Brigovia, the cobblestones run warm with the blood of humans, demons, and enchanters alike. And with each body that falls, one name is whispered: Greenbriar. It’s all particularly vexing for Esven Greenbriar, since she’s never killed anyone in her entire life. But when humans drag her mother, the fabled witch of Brigovia, from their isolated home and execute her by fire, all of Esven’s compassion for mankind goes up in smoke. Now, tempted by an alluring fire demon with a proposition to destroy humanity, the young witch must choose between the revenge she craves and her late mother’s wish for peace. With a reticent priest and a sarcastic cat among her painfully short list of friends, she just might be able to stifle her anger and spare the world. Or, you know, burn it all to ash.

Cast a Shadow of Doubt by Christiane Knight

Lucee Fearney legitimately inherited the leadership of the Fae faction known as Eleriannan, but what will happen when they find out that she still only has the magical skills of a Mortal? When unexpected, dangerous visitors show up at the door of Maithe House, they bring word of an enemy that none of the Fae know how to fight. Even if Lucee can learn to trust herself and lean on her friends for help, will it be enough to take down the powerful and mysterious foe known as the Mealladhan? Rejoin Lucee, Cullen, Merrick, Vali, Sousa, and all the other Mortal-born and Fae of Baltimore in another magical, musical adventure! Now with 100% more outdoor summer music festivals, uncanny graffiti, and shadowy forces.

Toby's Tale by Jennifer Freedman

Toby’s Tale is a story of strength, perseverance and love. Toby is a Schnauzer puppy who selflessly leaves his family and embarks on a great adventure as he seeks his forever home. He learns about friendship, loyalty and kindness, but he also experiences cruelty and hopelessness. Toby’s Tale is full of colorful characters — both two-legged and four-legged — who play key roles as Toby takes each step of his journey. Traveling with Toby on his journey to adulthood is an excursion along life’s road; a trip that shows how all creatures are searching for the safe, secure place where they belong. With that goal in mind, Toby overcomes hardship and loneliness by finding an inner strength stemming from the values of family, friendship, loyalty and faith. Toby’s Tale is a learning experience shared in a visionary, fun way with valuable lessons about life. It’s a story about hard choices. An adventure that gives people four legs instead of two, by allowing them to view life through the eyes of a dog. A tale about belief, tenacity and love. As your fingers run through the pages, Toby will run through your heart.

Summer's Second by Jeff Billington

Asher Brock’s last summer of youth is far from ideal. His hopes for the future, including an escape from his constricting Ozark Mountains hometown, seem increasingly fragile as he faces hurdles of poverty and abuse, all while coming to terms with being gay. Raised by an alcoholic single mother, he clings to his noted intelligence as an escape to a better life. But it will take more than brains—namely, strength of character and aspiration—for him to navigate the months leading to his senior year of high school. The pregnancy of his recent girlfriend, the heightened aggression of his long-time bully, and the increasing presence of his long-absent father create a season of turmoil, spurring unease and self-doubt. But with support from family and friends, an opportunity for love, and the shedding of generations of secrets, Asher sees beyond preordained fate and starts to realize the opportunities in his grasp.

EndBringer by Andrew Phoenix

Lief Tahi is a vengeful sixteen year old out for the blood of her mothers murderers. With the supernatural power of a tank behind her fists, not much stands in her way. With her witch brother Reve and Eternal artifice wielding brother Kei, Lief fights in the dark alleyways of mankind where shadows and wicked things play. Gods fall, cults rise, and things slither in the dark that hunger for the destruction of the Earth. Lief must make the decision to let her lust for vengeance go or take up arms against the coming blood tide.

Stormborn: A Steamborn Novel by Eric Asher

A throne claimed. A city reborn. A family broken. Thanks to the help of Jacob’s Titan Mechs, much of Belldorn survived the battle that ravaged its shores. But the war is far from over. Demands to chase Ballern’s surviving forces across the sea meet more resistance than Jacob could have imagined when Lady Katherine ignores her allies’ protests and shifts her focus to reinforcing the city. Alice knows they’ll need to grow their numbers if they’re going to stand a chance against Mordair on the other side of the Crystal Sea. Their hopes rest on Furi bringing the Skyborn into the fold. But Samuel has another plan that will take them back to where it all began … behind the towering walls of Ancora. Whether they await Mordair’s return or bring the fight to him, their survival once more depends on Jacob’s allies. As hope begins to fade … so come the Stormborn.

Decline (The D-Evolution Book 2) by Sean Allen

Technology has changed the bloody landscape of battle, but all he knows is the blade. Can he claim his warrior’s birthright and still survive? Tyrobus Daelekon would cross the galaxy to be a legendary warrior like his father. So when the grizzled general commits he and his twin brother to a deadly tournament with alien enemies, he’s thrilled to finally seize his destiny. But he fears his sibling’s willingness to break their ancient blood oath could shame their entire family and doom them to ritual execution. Readying his blade for battle, Tyrobus is shocked when an outlaw accuses his brother of theft and murder…and vanishes into thin air. And even if they manage to escape punishment, he has no idea how his sword skills alone can match foreign soldiers with advanced weapons and killer magic. Can Tyrobus prove the power of the old ways before his bloodline dies in disgrace? Decline is the edgy second book in The D-Evolution space opera fantasy series. If you like powerful legacies, richly detailed worlds, and genre-bending action, then you’ll love Sean Allen’s potent tale. Buy Decline to unsheathe the future today!

Hidden Shifters by David Dann

Invading aliens on Planet A7 have divided native hybrid creatures into two categories: harmless and dangerous. Shapeshifters, capable of assuming any form, are considered the largest threat. Hidden in sheep form, shapeshifter Adrian Walker works as a janitor at the hybrid prison. When he is promoted to warden, he has no choice but to comply. After his shapeshifter girlfriend is taken prisoner, he learns she is part of an underground movement to overthrow the aliens. Determined to rescue her, Adrian agrees to become the inside man for the resistance. As their plan unfolds, he must decide if he will continue to play it safe or risk it all—not only to save his girlfriend, but also the future of the planet.

Deceit (The D-Evolution Book 1) by Sean Allen

* * * RATED MATURE: Language, Violence, Adult Content * * * A galaxy on the edge of crumbling. A human who shouldn't exist. One last chance to save the stars. Colonel Jerrel Abalias is furious with himself. After his best soldier dies at the hands of an assassin, he fears his failure may have cost the Dissension its last hope of winning the ages-long war. But one of his troops recognizes the killer’s ship, and the hard-bitten warrior is determined to hunt it to the ends of the galaxy. Dezmara Strykar is too cunning for her own good. After waking from cryo-sleep to find her race all but extinct and her memories completely wiped, the expert pilot is desperate for a sign she's not the only human left alive. But to fund her near-hopeless search, she turns to smuggling and gains the kind of notoriety that draws dangerous attention. Setting a trap to bring the murderer to justice, Abalias races against time to salvage his people's crumbling hope. And accused of a crime she didn't commit, Dezmara finds herself pursued by an entire army bent on her destruction. Can the gutsy survivor escape an ever-tightening noose, or will the Dissension hang her for a betrayal she knows nothing about? Deceit is the pulse-pounding first book in The D-Evolution space opera fantasy series. If you like electrifying characters, sprawling universes, and gritty thrill rides, then you'll love Sean Allen's chase through the cosmos.

Death's Pale Flag by Gary Simonds

Brain surgeon and unlikely war hero, Ryan Brenan, has it all. A booming practice, a beautiful home in an idyllic setting, and a happy loving family. Then, the apparitions begin. Subtle at first, but soon there’s no doubt about it, he’s seeing ghosts, spirits, the undead. Of course, he could just be going nuts, cracking under the pressure of his constant exposure to death, mayhem, and tragedy. But, he believes he has proof that the ghosts are very real, and that they are specifically haunting him. We join Ryan as he tends to the sick and injured in his hospitals’ trauma bays, intensive care units, and operating rooms, all the while seeking to understand why he has become a target of the dead. Will he break down? Will he lose all that is precious to him? Will he be drawn to the other side of the great divide? This riveting psychological thriller uniquely blends a detailed peek behind the curtains of modern day neurosurgery with a fantastical journey into the paranormal. Written by a highly experienced neurosurgeon who takes the reader on an immersive journey into the behind the scenes world of the operating room where few people have ever been.

Tales of Darkness Drive by Molly Garcia

Eleven dark, twisted, and ghostly tales. What happens when you kidnap the wrong man? What is the fog that rolls into a small coastal village? And do you care who else gets hurt when you look for justice? Some people love so much that it surpasses even death; others seek revenge or justice; and some are bad eggs who deserve their comeuppance.

Becoming Bill by Molly Garcia

Big Bill has featured in the first two Adam & Sarah books as a homeless man who helps the police when their case involves those who are rough sleeping and vulnerable. We learned more about Bill’s background in “Bedding Down,” where he’s left waiting on a placement in temporary accommodation. Bill has decided it’s time to accept a place in sheltered housing after being reunited with his daughter and having health problems. This is Bill’s story. From a successful job as an agent to rough sleeping, his addiction to alcohol and losing his wife and daughter, his job, and his home. This book will detail his journey as Bill is about to settle down and start a new chapter in his life.

Bedding Down by Molly Garcia

Adam & Sarah - Book 2 Someone is stalking and then killing members of the homeless community. Adam and Sarah are convinced there's a link, and the team has to dive deep into the past to find it. Colin, Paul, Chris, and Martin have all been rough sleeping for the last 10 years, and now someone is picking them off one by one, and it's only by investigating their past that the killer will be found. What happened to cause these men to turn their backs on their lives and sleep on the streets, and is it linked to their murders? This is a case that brings back some traumatic memories for Abbie and gives her partner an insight into who she is, while the whole team is shocked by how easy it is to slip through the cracks and disappear.

Breach of Trust by Molly Garcia

Adam & Sarah - Book 1 Adam & Sarah are drawn together to investigate a spate of murders when it becomes apparent that all the victims were sex offenders. With a long suspect list, can they narrow it down in time to catch a killer before they strike again?

Outrageous Fortune by Kathleen McClure

After surviving numerous battles and an unjust court martial, John Pitte thought he’d seen the worst of Fortune. Then he went into the air freight business… A year after the war with the Coalition States has ended, John Pitte and the crew of the airship Errant aren't just scraping the bottom of the barrel, they're scraping the the deck under the bottom of the barrel. So when a mysterious woman offers the crew salvation—or, at least, a paying job—John signs on, only to discover that neither the job, nor the woman, are what they appear. Now John and the rest of the crew are on the run and embroiled in hive of madness and deception, while everything he hoped to save teeters on the brink of disaster.

Fortune's Fool by Kathleen McClure

On the planet Fortune, tech is low and times are hard… especially for those living in Nike's slums. Gideon Quinn has barely set up shop as Nike’s—and Fortune's—only private facilitator when an idealistic young medic reports several patients have gone missing. Gideon takes the case and soon finds himself tangled in a cruel enterprise fueled by greed and vengeance that targets the most vulnerable of Nike’s population. And the investigation only grows more complex when a woman from Gideon’s past appears at his door with a missing person of her own. Now Gideon is faced with a bitter question: To save the people no one else cares about, will he be able to bring home a man he’d as soon see vanished from the face of Fortune?

Between Jobs by W.R. Gingell

When you get up in the morning, the last thing you expect is to see a murdered guy hanging outside your window. Things like that tend to draw the attention of the local police, and when you’re squatting in your parents’ old house until you can afford to buy it, another thing you can’t afford is the attention of the cops. Oh yeah. Hi. My name is Pet. It’s not my real name, but it’s the only one you’re getting. Things like names are important these days. And it’s not so much that I’m Pet. I’m a pet. A human pet: I belong to the two Behindkind fae and the pouty vampire who just moved into my house. It’s not weird, I promise—well, it’s weird, yeah. But it’s not weird weird, you know?

Jester by Brielle D. Porter

Lisette’s father killed the King. His execution leaves Lisette alone, disgraced, and without the magic he intended to pass on to her. In Oasis, that’s a problem. Glutted with enchanted performers, Oasis is a sin city where courtiers pay in gold to drink, gamble, and above all, be entertained. To survive on its competitive streets, Lisette peddles paltry illusions in place of magic. Desperate to prove herself, Lisette enters into a deadly competition to be chosen as the highest-ranked magician in the world, the Queen’s Jester. But her rival, the irritatingly handsome Luc, possesses the one thing Lisette does not—real magic. Lisette will do anything to win, but when evidence implicating the Queen in her husband’s murder surfaces, Lisette must choose between redeeming her family name, or seizing the fame she’s hungered for her entire life.

Demigod Magic Academy: Daughter of Zeus by J.A. Bennett

A new generation of Demigods has risen, and they hate each other. Rhea Olympios knows part of her is missing. Her looks, favorite foods, and even her last name are Greek, but the father who gave her those traits chooses to hide. It doesn’t help that Tarpon Springs boasts the largest Greek population outside of the country itself. Drew is the first person who doesn’t make Rhea feel like she’s other. A Korean immigrant, Drew stands out in her small town. He has everything Rhea could want in a boyfriend, a loving family, a job at a bookstore, and gorgeous brown eyes a girl could fall into forever. It’s Drew’s secret—however—that will prove to be Rhea’s entire undoing. The magic Rhea hides in her empty heritage becomes manifest with Drew’s nearness. One minute Rhea is struggling to survive high school. The next, she’s thrown into the world of the gods where power rules and the weak get trodden over. Rhea must struggle to put herself together or risk tearing everything and everyone apart.

The BFF Role by Jaysee Jewel

Not every girl wants to be the hero of her own story. Zilla is an average high school senior aspiring to become a nurse. The only unique thing about her is that she adamantly believes she is living inside a poorly written romance novel and her best friend Cindy is the main female lead. Taking her role as the best friend very seriously, Zilla dedicates her free time to protecting her best friend from the author’s drama-hungry fingers, preventing the writer from interfering with Cindy’s love life. However, just as things are starting to go well between Cindy and the sweet boy-next-door who just moved in, a rival appears who could screw up Zilla’s plans. The school’s notorious playboy, Axel Burns, decides to ask Cindy out for prom, singlehandedly turning what was going to be a sweet love story into a love triangle. Zilla won’t stand for it! But when Zilla tries to draw Axel’s attention away from Cindy, she accidentally turns it toward herself and ends up in a romantic side plot she doesn’t want any part of. Fans of Love, Rosie and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before will adore this trope-subverting, coming-of-age love story about friendship, relationships, and overcoming one’s flaws.

Chains of Stone by Jaysee Jewel

Two tales of forbidden love intertwine in this dark fantasy romance. An heiress set to inherit her mother's business finds herself falling for a slave who is forging a rebellion against her. Meanwhile, a mad queen decides to marry a slave-turned-prince even though he plans to kill her. Both unlikely pairs must choose between love and duty. Are they willing to give up everything they hold dear to protect each other, or will they end up slitting each other's throats? A hundred years ago, the gods granted Clostrum and its surrounding countries elemental stones of power, but only women could use them. This turned Clostrum into a matriarchal society reliant on slaves to mine these stones. Evelyn Payne is the heir to a family whose mines and weapons have protected the country for years. After her twentieth birthday, her mother sends her to one of these mines in disguise to learn responsibility and root out corruption among the employed guards within. Once her work there is done, she will inherit the mine. However, as she gets to know the male slaves who toil away underground and the women who oversee them, her beliefs and loyalties are swayed by a kind-hearted slave who makes her wish she could become more than a pampered noble or tyrannical leader. As Evelyn fights her feelings toward Francis and tries to maintain order in the mine, she realizes his wish to escape his chains may endanger both his life and her position. If she doesn’t prevent him from fueling the flames of rebellion, her mother will.

Soldier of Fortune by Kathleen McClure

On the planet of Fortune, tech is low, tensions are high and heroes as unlikely as they come. Wrongly convicted of treason, Gideon Quinn spent six years harvesting crystal under the killing suns of the Morton Barrens. When a general of the Corps arrives with an offer of freedom and the chance to clear his name, Gideon doesn’t have to think twice. With his pet draco Elvis on his shoulder, Gideon takes 'ship for Nike City on a quest for justice (or, failing that, revenge). What he finds is a dodger named Mia, a city steeped in corruption, and a menace at the heart of the Corps which could bring Fortune's new and fragile peace to an explosive end. And that’s just his first night in town.

Barrenworld: Curse of the Warlord's Chalice by J. Edwards holt

Long ago, an evil wizard rose to power and waged war on mankind. Few were willing to stand against the dark wizard, and those that did, fell. Desperate and determined to save his people, a king named Astilles traveled to a realm called Barrenworld, where he found the Warlord’s Chalice, an ancient cup said to give infinite power to those who drink from it. Believing himself to have no other choice, Astilles drank from the chalice and gained the strength to defeat his enemies — but that strength came at a great cost, as the chalice only granted it in exchange for eternal servitude. Eventually, the story of Astilles faded into legend, until centuries later the chalice would return to claim its next victim.

Ever the Night Road by Michael Breen

This is a fantasy. Of a City of water and glass. Of drowned things and lost memories lying just below its surface. Of concrete slums, and a decaying Oracle Tower. And a deep underground. It is the story of Dagny Losh, a seventeen-year-old misfit raised by the wealthy Benzara family after her tenement home is washed away in a flood. Dagny lives in a fantastical Dark Age; the Regime of Man has long passed, leaving behind relics and remnants reclaimed by nature. But, while the world has devolved technologically, a subtle type of magic still exists in forgotten, abandoned places. After discovering a fragment from her old life, Dagny and an array of companions undertake a high-stakes quest guided by the stars and ancient myth, encountering danger from both criminal and supernatural forces. Along the way, Dagny will discover the bonds of true friendship, young love and the depths of her own bravery in a brutal and enchanting world.

The Dragon's Tongue by C.J. Brightley

While hiding with Lord Owen, the Fae, and the human resistance, Aria is forced to question everything she thought she understood. What are the Fae? Who is Aria herself? More than refuge, Aria needs answers. Despite the appeal of Dr. Bartok’s talk of grace, the Empire’s darkness threatens to overwhelm Aria as she wrestles with questions of sin, justice, and love. Colonel Grenidor has his own questions as he makes a new powerful ally. How much can Edwin really be trusted? And what of the Slavemaster, who Edwin claims is an ally of the vampires opposing the Empire? Colonel Grenidor’s research on the vampires has grown increasingly dangerous, with consequences for the Fae, the vampires, and the supernatural entities on both sides of the conflict.‘

The Doctrines of Fire by CL Jarvis

Edinburgh, 1779. An academic rivalry turns deadly. George Stephens is a lousy medical student. Lacking the social and financial resources to succeed in Edinburgh’s elite medical school, his dream of becoming a physician appears over before it began. Then George comes to the attention of two famous professors, William Cullen and Joseph Black. Medical students are dying mysteriously - the professors suspect a disgraced former student is to blame - and they need George’s help uncovering the truth. Believing the partnership will bolster his academic standing, George agrees. Their investigation pulls them into the murkiest, most dangerous corners of Enlightenment Edinburgh. The professors are secret wielders of fire magic, but their foes are courting even darker forces. With violence threatening to erupt, and George struggling to navigate this confusing city, getting justice for the dead will be harder than he imagined. Ninth House meets A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians in this thrilling fantasy debut from CL Jarvis.

H2LiftShips - Beyond Luna by Bob Freeman

H2LiftShips - Beyond Luna (Volume 1 in the Series) "A Tech Manual for a Future" Imagine a world, exactly like ours, but different A series taking you on the ride of your life: part road trip, part solar sailing. Into a world almost parallel to our own (but not quite.) Soaring through the heliosphere through the asteroid belt on Solar Sail ships, the unlikely crew of the LunaCola finds themselves foraging supplies from Earth and sea and hitting up the casinos around Sol to gamble their bounty hoping to their pot. Their adventures cross paths with everything from pirates, anarchy, poker games to jail time. This is a space adventure unique to its own with characters who are just as out of this realm of reality, entertaining and unforgettable. And after your cruise through the Asteroid belt, Mars, and Luna, settle down on Earth for a party in the desert. They'll bring the Carne Asada burritos and count on you to bring the fun.

Motherhood and Other Magical Realms by Raima Larter

Motherhood can be magical, or it can be trouble. Children, if they come along, can grow up, or not, or even go to the moon. The world is not always what it seems, and salvation can happen in unexpected places—like a copy shop. And sometimes, although not always, there’s a ghost in the cellar.

Belle o' the Waters by Raima Larter

Belle Waters is about to celebrate her fourteenth birthday, and she is terrified. The fear of marriage looms large for her, and every other girl who was born into the Mormon settlement of Salt Lake in the 1850s. She knows it is her duty to marry and bring Heavenly Father’s children into the world, but she’s not interested in tying the knot with anyone—especially not the Prophet, an old man with a number of wives and counting. But when the US Army invades Salt Lake intent on arresting the Prophet, Belle soon realizes that the possibility of becoming a child bride is only the beginning in a series of disastrous threats. This is a work of fiction, but is loosely based on a true historical event: the Mountain Meadows Massacre of September 11, 1857, which sparked a short-lived Mormon War. Although set over a century ago, the themes and issues explored in this novel are timely and current: religious freedom and extremism, the role and status of women in society, and the contemporary impact of homegrown terrorism. Belle o’ the Waters is a searing exploration of those living within an oppressed community, and an ultimately revelatory novel about what it means to lead a courageous life, despite one’s circumstances.

Fearless by Raima Larter

Father Mike Albertino, worn down by financial problems in his old parish and relentless terrorist bombings in his city, is overwhelmed by his own inability to help terrified people. In the midst of all this chaos, he encounters Jenna, a young woman about his age who, inexplicably, cannot feel fear. Mike and Jenna become friends and through this friendship discover the mysterious causes of her disorder. This novel explores themes of faith, how we know what is real and what is not, and the myriad ways frightened people cope in our increasingly fear-filled world.

Panacea by Alex Robins

At the heart of every legend lies a truth. Twisted and reshaped by the currents of time. For twenty years, strategos Dexios has led the phalanx of Thena against its enemies, pulled from one battleground to another in a relentless cycle of war and bloodshed. Now, finally, he has found the courage to leave that life behind. To relinquish his officer’s sword and return to the verdant slopes of his vineyard with his wife and son. Peace, however, is fragile and capricious. When Thena’s northern allies bring word of an enormous tauran horde gathering on their borders, Dexios has no choice but to answer the call to arms one last time. As humans and tauros collide, another evil wakes. Whispered rumours of a clawed creature that stalks the shadowy streets. Of violent murders committed in the name of deities long thought vanquished. To speak their names is heresy. They are the Exiled. The Banished. The Ruined Gods.

Unseen: The Mercer Nox Story by L.A. Wasielewski

What did life give me? Torment. Grief. A scarred soul. Did I deserve it? Maybe. Did I welcome it? Maybe… Call me cursed, arrogant, bitter. Call me whatever you want. I know my place in this world, I know where I stand with the Goddess. I know how I ended up here, what I did. What I didn’t do. It haunts me, but then again, don’t we all have demons? Some tried to tell me it was destiny, but I refuse to believe some outside force controls my life. Bad things happen, good things happen. In my case, well, let’s just leave it at that and move on. It’s probably better that way. Unseen: The Mercer Nox Story follows the incredible life of a man who never really wanted to participate in the whole “saving the world” thing in the first place—but realized he really didn’t have a choice. And it annoyed him to no end. This book contains major spoilers for The Alchemist Trilogy, it is recommended that you read the original trilogy first for maximum enjoyment!

River of Crows by N.P. Thompson

Ty Baxter just wants to survive seventh grade without dying of boredom or getting flattened by the school bully. But when he tries to help an injured crow, his ordinary life is suddenly upended. Now trapped in a secret, magical world, Ty finds himself at the center of a cryptic prophecy, and the target of a brutal emperor who will stop at nothing to protect his power. In a desperate gamble, Ty struggles to control his emerging magical Talent so he can help his friends rescue their kidnapped family members before the emperor uses his dark sorcery to transform them into birds and enslaves them forever as soldiers in his enchanted avian army.

Reclaimed by Sarah Guillory

Jenna Oliver doesn’t have time to get involved with one boy, let alone two. All Jenna wants is to escape her evaporating small town and her alcoholic mother. She's determined she'll go to college and find a life that is wholly hers—one that isn't tainted by her family's past. But when the McAlister twins move to town and Jenna gets involved with both of them, she learns the life she planned may not be the one she gets. Ian McAlister doesn't want to start over; he wants to remember. Ian can’t recall a single thing from the last three months—and he seems to be losing more memories every day. His family knows the truth, but no one will tell him what really happened before he lost his memory. When he meets Jenna, Ian believes that he can be normal again because she makes not remembering something he can handle. The secret Ian can’t remember is the one Luke McAlister can’t forget. Luke has always lived in the shadow of his twin brother until Jenna stumbles into his life. She sees past who he’s supposed to be, and her kiss brings back the spark that life stole. Even though Luke feels like his brother deserves her more, Luke can’t resist Jenna—which is the trigger that makes Ian's memory return. Jenna, Ian, & Luke are about to learn there are only so many secrets you can keep before the truth comes to reclaim you.

Obsidian (Lux # 1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Starting over sucks. When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring… until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up. And then he opened his mouth. Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something… unexpected happens. The hot alien living next door marks me. You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades. If I don’t kill him first, that is.

Vikings Academy by S. T. Bende

When seventeen-year-old Saga Skånstad discovers an antique dagger, she's instantly sucked into a world where Vikings rule the seas and dragons roam the skies, and the only thing more dangerous than the chief who takes her captive is the rival who steals her away. The heir of Norway's most feared tribe is fierce, cold, and absolutely unyielding. With intruders encroaching upon his borders, Erik Halvarsson has little patience for the girl whose ignorance threatens his very existence. He enlists Saga in the magical Valkyris Academy, where she learns the skills she'll need to protect herself from foreign raiders and domestic terrors. But nothing can protect her from falling for the one guy in all the world she's absolutely forbidden to choose . . . or from risking everything to unlock the secrets that haunt him. When darkness threatens Saga's new home, she must decide whether to return to the life she's always known, or fight for a love she never could have imagined. Her decision will determine a legacy--not only for Saga, but for the world she never knew she was fated to lead.

Second Nature by Amber Boudreau

Mavis Corvid can't remember. Not who she is, nor where she came from. It's been six months and nothing. Zip. Zilch. Now she's settling into a new life. She's back on her feet, literally, and working at a garage in Eustace Park for a boss as grumpy as he is handsome. She has an apartment, friends, and an insatiable curiosity about werewolves. No one knows why the wolves disclosed their existence to the world, but the one-year anniversary of their reveal is fast approaching. A fight brews between two alphas that could threaten the rest of humanity unless Mavis can remember who she was. She knows she's not a werewolf, but she is something else. When pushed from a balcony Mavis' second nature reveals itself. She shifts into a magpie to save her skin. Now she'll have to harness her strange abilities and investigate her disappearance to find out what happened to the Aldwulf, the alpha of all alphas. However, the past is gone and Mavis isn't the same person. With the opportunity to be whoever she wants, what kind of person will she choose to be?

The Invisible Circus by Lindsey Bakken

The world as you know it, but with a dash of the fantastical. When Michelle (Mikey) leaves home to work a circus job for the summer, she dreams only of shaking the depression that haunts her. But she gets more than she bargained for after a freak accident leaves her with the power to turn invisible. Desperate to carve a future for herself as a performer, eighteen-year-old Mikey must learn to control her dark emotions and mysterious gift. But not everyone is glad to have a new performer, and Mikey must balance being “other” in a world dominated by flashy promises and hidden secrets. Between a suspicious death no one talks about, guys vying for her attention, and her boss’s hidden agenda, Mikey has her work cut out for her. As her life and power spiral out of control, she’ll have to choose carefully who to give her loyalty—and love—to.

Prisoner of the Deep by Alyson Tait

Shy and introverted, Dash grew up reserved and with few friends. Once meeting Bria and Talyn on his home planets academy, they became his best friends. With more courage and knowledge than he could hope for, the pair consistently managed to pull Dash into adventures he would have otherwise avoided.Now they have embarked on their bravest quest yet. The trio have borrowed a ship and set their sites on Earth, the home of the Great Old Ones. Imprisoned for all eternity and currently at rest, the fearsome creatures and the small planet are quarantined from the rest of the galaxy.Humans are to stay put, ignorant and yet safe. Everything else stays away, hoping the beasts stay slumbering.Dash now stumbles along, trying to feel included as they move to the bottom of the deep blue ocean.The three find themselves unprepared for what happens next, unaware that their information on Earth isn’t entirely accurate.

Speakeasy Times by M. W. McLeod

Vinny's living it up on easy street. His crew's latest job hitting the police station for their confiscated booze will keep his speakeasy running for a few weeks, and, with that success, he's cemented himself firmly in the hierarchy of the family. When he received an invitation to dinner between the lords and the Queen of faeries, he knows that the crown will be his, only to have his world suddenly turned on its head with news of the line of succession. Now, Vinny finds himself torn in two directions. Do what is right by the monarch or back the uncle he owes a favor. If he chooses wrong, everything he's built will crumble at his feet, and buying out comes with an impossible task. He must figure out how to dodge the FBI, break into the most secure bank vault he's ever seen, and avoid a mythical creature even the faeries don't believe exists anymore.

Smoochy and the Maga by Lea Kinley

Okay, okay. I admit I was bored with the tedium of my centuries of work as a magical Familiar. But did I really deserve to be punished with an assignment on Earth of all places? My employer, The Society for the Conservation of Wholeness, tasked me with locating a fellow Familiar that appeared to be working for a destructive wizard . . . which is a big no-no according to our employment contract. While Earth is generally a non-magical, dull, and undesirable location, I never thought I’d have any trouble at all with the assignment . . . until I realized I knew far less about Earth than I needed to and my enemy, the destructive wizard, knew far more than I did. The stakes were high for me for the first time in tens of thousands of years . . . had I finally met my match? Smoochy and the Maga is a fun, fanciful, and charming middle-grade urban fantasy novel by introductory author, Lea Kinley. The perfect cozy fantasy for tweens, teens, and the young at heart. Recommended for grade five and up or ages 9 and up.