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Child of Vanris by Nikki McCormack At five years old, Kasiel was found with the pointed ends of his ears cut off. Despite that brutal start, he’s lived twelve peaceful years with the man who took him in. Keeping his hair long over his mutilated ears helps him hide the fact that he is Vanrian, a child of the enemy. Everything changes when mercenaries arrive hunting for Kasiel. The last people he expects to come to his rescue are Vanrian soldiers, one of whom claims to be his spirit brother, whatever that means. They plan to take him across the war zone to deliver him to his real father, a man whose name strikes terror in his enemies. With his secret exposed, Kasiel can’t return to his old home. This is his chance to find out who he was supposed to be. It means traveling to a foreign land where they have unusual psychic abilities he may share. It also means leaving behind everything he’s ever cared about. If he is to survive, he will need to learn their language and culture and earn his place in their society. Meanwhile, the man who cut Kasiel’s ears will do anything to keep him out of his true father’s hands, even if it means killing him. |
Beneath the Gods' Tree by S. Kaeth Amanah knows all-too-well the dangers of catching the attention of the upper class of Arruk. Using her position as a guard to steal secrets of healing and help other lower class people means she works hard to remain unnoticed. Fellow guard Taunos is boisterous, laughing, larger than life–and always around. He attracts attention as easily as breathing, which makes being associated with him dangerous. Better to stay far away, regardless of her attraction to him and his easy calm. But when Amanah inadvertently insults a magistrate, she must flee the city to avoid his vengeance. She takes a last-minute job escorting a pair of noblemen to another town–a job Taunos is also hired for. Along the way, she’s forced to reveal her stolen healing skills to keep the small group alive, and finds more support from Taunos than she ever would have dreamed. His confident charm becomes hard to ignore as he sees her as no one else has, even when she’s doing her best to be invisible. But opening herself to romance might be as dangerous as the wildlife and bandits they face in the wilderness, and pursuing her dreams of becoming a healer could attract the ire of those in power. This book has: so much banter; strong sibling relationship; strong friendships; friends-to-lovers (low steam); gay side characters; main character anxiety rep; diverse cast with immersive worldbuilding; action and adventure, wilderness survival style; low fantasy (none of the main group displays clear magic on page); single PoV, third person past tense |
No Heart for a Thief by James Lloyd Dulin We are the stories we tell ourselves...even the lies. The Thief, a great spirit, and her descendants have abused their ability to steal magic for centuries. When Kaylo starts to hear the song of other people’s magic, he must learn to hide from his people as well as the invaders. A gift or a curse, Kaylo may be able to save his people from the Gousht Empire that claimed their land with this stolen magic.

 Eighteen years later, Kaylo still prays to the spirits, but not out of loyalty or love. He knows better than to rely on those selfish bastards for anything. While hiding in the forest from his foolish acts of rebellion, he encounters a girl, Tayen, being pursued by two soldiers of the empire. Against his better judgment, he risks facing the consequences of his past to intervene.

 When Tayen attempts to run off seeking vengeance for her family, he offers to train her to wield her magic and a blade. If he can’t convince her to relinquish her need for vengeance and stave off the demons of his past, he’s going to get them both killed. |
Jack of Thorns (Inheritance, 1) Reviewed by konstance author
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Balanced
Immersion: Satisfying, fulfilling experience Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Adequately represents the story Content Warnings: alcoholism, drug use, gaslighting Combine the creepiness from The Magicians with nature-magic, a flower shop, the pain of addictions, and you get the beginning of a good series. |
Not Your Bargain (Not Your Adventures Book 2) Reviewed by konstance author
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Balanced
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well A cozy-esque adventure with D&D vibes, but make it a jaded old man waiting for the end of the world. But even shorter: two old guys on their last adventure. |
The Hunter Reviewed by indyman book blogger
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Satisfying, fulfilling experience Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well The Hunter is a great debut into epic fantasy with excellent character work, strong worldbuilding, and a long yet fun journey which makes it a fantastic read. |
Reverence Reviewed by JudeintheStars book blogger
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Mostly clear Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Balanced
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well |
In Which a Demon King Does Not Have a Romantic Interest in His Human Gardener Reviewed by Booksthatburn book blogger
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Mostly clear Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Balanced
Immersion: Satisfying, fulfilling experience Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Adequately represents the story Content Warnings: Moderate CW for grief, sexual content, blood. |
Performances of a Death Metal Bard: A Brutal Novella by Rob Leigh Unfortunately, Death Metal doesn’t get much play in this sleepy, peaceful, actually kind of boring kingdom. Of course not. It’s tough inventing a genre on your own, and it doesn’t help when all the instruments you’ve tried up to this point don’t match the brutality necessary for a dark and heavy performance. My coin only seems to be enough to get me to the next run-down village, and it’s dwindling fast. To make matters worse, my newest lute is not normal. It never stays in tune, it’s barely holding together, and it keeps whispering to me. Over and over, demands for vengeance and murder echo in my head, with the promise that I’ll find the sound I need if I just listen to the voices. So what’s a starving bard to do? Performances of a Death Metal Bard is a brutal fantasy adventure inspired by The Witcher and Metalocalypse, merging the episodic travels of a musical elf with the darkness, blood, and raw riffs of the heaviest metal the kingdom has ever seen. |
An Exile of Water & Gold by Joshua Walker Brandon Sanderson's Rhythm of War meets Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time in this epic fantasy mystery adventure. EXILED FROM HEAVEN. FORCED INTO HELL. For centuries, the Aobians of the Great Tree have shared the continent of Q’ara with humanity. A select few known as Sleepers are empowered by Luminosity, the Tree’s greatest blessing. Drift, a young and cynical Aobian, has been exiled from his homeland – forever. Now, with no understanding of this condemnation, Drift must traverse the land of humans below, and find his purpose in an ever-changing world. Tarri, his betrothed, seeks to do the same, whilst also bringing him home. Elsewhere on Q’ara, an unknown organisation seeks to weaponise Luminosity for their own nefarious purposes. Drift himself is a part of this puzzle, and it quickly becomes apparent that the struggle for true power in Q’ara is emerging for reasons greater than anyone is prepared to grasp. |
The Storm Beneath the World by Michael R. Fletcher Cursed by the gods. The insectile ashkaro live on flying islands travelling the eternal River of Days while a hellish firestorm devours the world below. Collected into queendoms, the higher caste brights live in the luxurious windward rain-forest while the servile dulls scrape out a desperate existence in the leeward desert. Conflicts escalate between two neighbouring queendoms. Where Nysh embraces modern ideals of equality and independence, Yil honours the Fallen Goddess by enslaving their neighbours and maintaining traditional castes. In preparation for the imminent war, Nysh sends ashkaro youths with dangerous Talents to secret schools, training them as assassins and spies. Joh, a dull male with a Talent for suggestion, and Ahk, a bright female with a Talent for stealth, are torn from their families and thrown into the academy. The two naively believe that the biggest threat comes from the other students, not realizing the war has already begun. United in purpose, divided by caste, they can only save the island from the Mad Queen by working together. |
Well, Well, Well by Jody Wenner No one wants to hear about another person’s dream—unless they’re in it. Bren Wendell, a Midwestern journalist, is compelled to write a column about a seemingly benign dream but worries it will be a career breaker; instead, it spreads like a virus. Letters start pouring in, and to the entire newsroom’s shock, they are not all written by angry boomers. Thousands of readers claim they’ve had the same dream. And somehow Bren has been deemed head weaver. As the country slips into hysterics over its meaning, Bren and her co-worker Zack head out to tackle several of the wackier stories for the newspaper. Feeling pressure to find solid answers, Bren sets aside her own personal problems and digs deep into the investigation. When someone leaks private information about her to the press, the masses deify her on a whole new level, making the work more difficult. A strange conversation she has with a retired psychology professor leads her to wonder if she alone could be responsible for all of the madness she’s witnessed. In order to right the wrong and get things back to normal, Bren has to switch gears and prove the dream wasn’t real. |
This Is How Immortals Die by Nicole Hidalgo Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, unleashed a life-changing apocalypse that reshaped the world and cursed humankind with immortality. Now injury, old age, and death mean nothing. Until the Soul connects with its Twin. Once true Love is found, immortality is lost. The Priestesses of Aphrodite exist to hunt down and send those blessed souls to Aphrodite’s Golden Palace in the afterlife. They are devout and efficient… if only a little blinded by the lustre of gold and the taste of blood. Carys Epistro’phia, an infamous Priestess, will go to great lengths to put her hands on a chest with fifty thousand gold coins. Including turning a blind eye to Twin Souls who rule over an isolated island and are willing to hire her unique skills to bring their daughter back home. Princess Ishana, a fragile and naive girl who has never died before, is Carys’ key to the treasure… as long as she arrives home with her soul intact. But in this sacrilegious contract, not everything is as it seems, and sometimes the heart has its own schemes. |
This Hole Was Made For (You And) Me by Sienna Eggler Despite constant setbacks, from giant carnivorous plants to fetch quests disguised as life lessons, Meike quickly adapts to life in Glasend. Armed with their growing knowledge of magic, and a thirst for adventure, Meike and friends turn their sights to the neglected Silverstone Mine. But there’s more than gold and silver lurking in its depths… Trolls and kobolds haunt the area, having run out the miners and ransacked the nearby village of Ashfort. Abandoned by their own country, the citizens are desperate for any help they can get. But as the gang comes to find, there’s a reason many have failed to liberate the mine… This Hole Was Made For (You And) Me is the second book of the Last Train Home series, a portal fantasy in a queer normative world. |
The Threads That Weave by Sienna Eggler Tormented by memories of past lives and a general distaste for structure, Sloane dropped out of a prestigious magic college to find themself. During their travels, they came across a curious little creature: a chatty spider that fit snugly in their hands. Unbeknownst to Sloane, this wasn’t a harmless garden or cellar spider. The spider had a craving that mere flies couldn’t quench. It demanded blood and flesh, and when mice failed to suffice, moved on to bigger and dangerous prey. Sloane appeased it as best they could, but as the spider rapidly shot up in size, turned their focus from butcher shops to farms. Together, they concocted a plan to “solve” a manifested loss of cattle. The spider got a steady supply of food, and Sloane got street cred as a “monster slayer”. “What could possibly go wrong?” – Famous last words of any irresponsible pet owner. So now Sloane has a very real infestation to contend with, along with suspicious rangers and wannabe hunters edging in on their turf. “…I’m gonna need a bigger boot.” |
The Candid Odyssey by B. Johny The Candid Odyssey is a captivating travel memoir and a philosophical journey into self-discovery. Join the author on a transformative eight-week solo trip across India, exploring not only its diverse landscapes and vibrant cultures but also the deeper questions of life, happiness, and purpose. This book is a unique blend of travel, philosophy, and self-help, offering readers an opportunity to explore both the outer world and the inner self. Perfect for anyone seeking inspiration to live a more meaningful life. |
The Revenge of Captain Vessia by Leslie Allen Claire Vessia's been sentenced to death. The last survivor of a ship of would-be-pirates captured by the navy, she's been accused of all of their crimes. She will die for it. Determined to go out with her head held high, her plans for a stoic execution are thrown out the window when a highborn lady offers her a chance to escape the noose... if she pays in vials of her own blood. But she is betrayed. Hung from the gallows and buried at sea, she rises amidst the waves as a Vampyri, an undead monster. Without a clue of where, or even what she is, and only a terrible hunger to guide her, it's only when she consumes a person trying to help her that she begins to understands what's been done to her. Swearing revenge against the noble woman that turned her, the nation that accused her, and its people that killed her, Claire makes an oath that she will hunt down anyone under the navy's flag, and carve a blood-strewn path on her quest for vengeance. But when the perfect chance to strike takes the form of the child of her maker - Claire must ask herself how far she's willing to go for justice. |
In Which a Demon King Does Not Have a Romantic Interest in His Human Gardener by Rori Thornton Demon King Jurao returns from his successful thirty-year Union Campaign and discovers something amiss - the castle gardens have a secret caretaker. Using his authority over the sentient plants, he discovers the gardener is... a human! But after hearing the man out, Jurao decides to appoint Braelin as the official Royal Gardener for all his hard work. Now he just needs to figure out why everyone seems to believe he is romantically interested in the human... |
Mountain of Light by Jena Bowers Fast-paced, thrilling, and full of twists, Mountain of Light is a high-stakes heist novel where the robbery leaves you questioning - who are the real criminals? A classic heist peppered with morality conflicts, for fans of Portrait of a Thief, the Ocean’s heist series, and The Feather Thief. The target: priceless jewels stolen centuries ago, now hidden in plain site. Come along for the ride with an elite crew of international thieves as they pull off the cultural heist of a lifetime and unearth centuries-old secrets that reveal the complicated future of art repatriation. The Mountain of Light, the “most infamous diamond in the world,” has been an integral piece of England’s Crown Jewels for the last 170 years. But that changes tonight - the eve of the coronation of the U.K.'s new King, William V. Vigilante thieves are determined to return this jewel to the rightful owner but will they be able to navigate centuries-old transgressions of colonialism and complexities of art repatriation? |
The Edge of a World by JD Rivers A monster lurks under Otar's skin. It has destroyed lives and Otar lives in fear when it will escape his grasp again. But he isn't the only thing that seems out of place in this world: a mysterious ancestor, the Ancients, left behind nothing but ruins and questions. After the monster causes a tragic accident, Otar chooses to travel the Seven Lands to find answers instead of being executed. But time is running out. When the summon for a newly discovered ruin comes, it's his last chance to clear his name. On his journey he faces down slavers looking for easy money, and his former lover - who still makes his heart beat faster. Then the excavation site finally reveals the truths about the Ancients, and it becomes clear that something bigger lurks in the shadows. Otar's connection to his monster could save them all from a catastrophe - but will he be willing to sacrifice it all? The Edge of a World is a Fantasy Sci-Fi story about self-discovery, destiny, and paving your own path. |
The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard An impulsive word can start a war. A timely word can stop one. A simple act of friendship can change the course of history. Cliopher Mdang is the personal secretary of the Last Emperor of Astandalas, the Lord of Rising Stars, the Lord Magus of Zunidh, the Sun-on-Earth, the god. He has spent more time with the Emperor of Astandalas than any other person. He has never once touched his lord. He has never called him by name. He has never initiated a conversation. One day Cliopher invites the Sun-on-Earth home to the proverbially remote Vangavaye-ve for a holiday. The mere invitation could have seen Cliopher executed for blasphemy. The acceptance upends the world. |
Anathema and Tidbit by Stephanie Barr Rejected even by her own kind, Anathema, the albino dragon, always thought she’d live her centuries alone until, on a whim—on a compulsion—she rescued a tiny black kitten from certain death. She could never have guessed what his companionship would mean for her. More, she could never have predicted the impact sharing her life with him would have on her and so many others. Or the powerful persona lurking in that tiny feline morsel she called Tidbit. |
3 Strikes: Finding Love in Forbidden Places by Cody Draco In 3 Strikes: Finding Love in Forbidden Places, Cody Draco delivers a raw and haunting memoir of self-discovery, forbidden love, and the ache of unrequited affection. This evocative journey traces Cody’s tumultuous relationships with three pivotal figures in their life: a childhood stepbrother, a charismatic but unattainable boss, and a former high school teacher. Each “strike” exposes the vulnerability, passion, and longing that shaped Cody’s identity, from constant changes of residence to navigating the complexities of mental health and sexuality. Told through a blend of brutally honest prose and strikingly intimate poetry, 3 Strikes explores the pain and beauty of loving those who can never fully love you back. With themes of self-acceptance, heartbreak, and resilience, this memoir is a profound reflection on the trials of queer love and the courage it takes to bloom into yourself—rooted in your own truth, even when love remains just out of reach. For readers who are drawn to deeply personal narratives, 3 Strikes is a powerful reminder that some of the most transformative relationships are the ones we never quite forget, their echoes remaining etched in our hearts and minds for eternity. |
Agent. Mother. Other. by Sharn Lee An ex-covert agent. A loving mother. An unknown power. Rachel’s tranquil life on the terraformed planet of Tir-na shatters when her twenty-year-old son vanishes without a trace. With no ransom demands or clues, she must confront her past and re-enter the treacherous world of the Agency she once abandoned. In a high-stakes race against time, Rachel relies on her deadly agent skills and unlocks forgotten powers, embracing the shocking truth of her past. From the plant-covered solar-punk city of Crayn to a nomadic metropolis built upon colossal wheels, relentlessly rolling across The Wastes, her unwavering love drives her to unimaginable lengths. As the seconds tick away, can Rachel rewrite her destiny and shield her family from an impending threat? Will her rekindled abilities be enough to save her son, or will they be her ultimate downfall? Prepare for a pulse-pounding journey of sacrifice, redemption, and the indomitable spirit of a mother fighting against all odds. Secrets will be unveiled, alliances will be tested, and in the midst of peril, the true impact of the past will be revealed. If you crave thrilling science fiction tales featuring kick-ass women protagonists, rife with covert agents, corrupt corporations, secret bases, underground societies, drug dens, and deadly drone bots, then prepare for an exhilarating ride unlike any other. Get ready to immerse yourself in a world where love knows no bounds and danger lurks at every turn. |
Disenchanted by Brianna Sugalski The Princess Bride and Buffy the Vampire Slayer meet Sarah J. Maas' Throne of Glass in this Breton legend-inspired fantasy debut brimming with wry humor, epic adventure, and an irresistible romance. Lilac Trécesson is a prisoner in her parents' castle after a most wicked secret was revealed on the eve of her fifteenth birthday. Years later, her Accession looms upon her father's decision to abdicate, and between the riotous townsfolk and scheming nobles bent on snatching her throne, she prepares for the worst… Until a letter arrives from The Witch of Lupine Grotto, containing a curious offer to banish her curse forever. She begrudgingly trades her coronet for a cloak and ventures into the forest Brocéliande, only to find herself cornered by a bloodthirsty barkeep who demands her help in exchange for protection against the even deadlier forces of the woods. With only the protection of her inherited dagger—and unsolicited help of the sardonic stranger who inserts himself on her quest—Lilac must find the impious enchantress and return in time to claim her crown. Pity the fool to underestimate the girl with subpar blade skills but the spite to make up for it. This is the tale of a cursed princess, A crestfallen killer, The town that wants them to burn, And the witch who can save them both. |
Accrue's End: Affliction by E.R. Smo His parents were heroes, and now he may get his chance to be one. Whether he’s ready or not. When Kyo’s godfather is infected by the corruption-a spreading affliction that turns people into murderous shadow monsters, he goes to the only mages who can help. But the duo are not the kindly healers they appear. Kyo stumbles upon the victims of their manipulation and necromancy magics, and during the confrontation, the pair vanish with his godfather as a hostage. Desperate to reclaim his family, Kyo gives chase, but his first encounter teaches him he won’t defeat them alone. With the help of an anxiety-ridden cleric, a runaway princess, a fatherly stowaway, and a ten-year-old with the power to summon gods, he sets out to stop the mages before they turn the entire world into living dead and ravenous shades. |
Blood Red Nails: The Guardians of Iohiri Series Book 1 by L. Joyce “Iohir, the land of the dead and the living. You will take me there, right?” The world is full of creatures of myth and legend, as well as alternate universes where the dead can reside, where ghosts can mate with the living. Known simply as Ghost Mates, one of them is about to take the world by storm. Asho Woodward, the autistic heir to the Woodward family, never thought he would find himself becoming a Ghost Mate, much less Mating with the ghost responsible for the crimes and murders that have happened over the last several decades in his town. Already dealing with his life and himself, Asho was not prepared for the events to come as a result of his Mating… ones that would change his life forever and likely threaten those he loves. And, he will need more than his Mate’s help to save himself and those he loves, or else everything he knows will be destroyed. |
A Memory of Song by Scott Palmer In a dying land, the armies of the dead hold sway. And those who rule them are more god than human. James Culdaine, the last heir of the Northern Throne, was just a young man when the armies of the South murdered his parents and subjugated his lands. He has never forgotten those responsible, nor has he forgiven. He has spent the last ten years living in isolation with The Feldarra; a sacred Northern clan of fierce warriors, led by the fearless Wulfee who, still reeling from the loss of her own children, finds new meaning in protecting what only family she has left. Now, an ancient order of warlocks has returned to the North, singing dark songs composed of blood magic that null the elements and threaten all that is living. With nature depleted and the Southern armies returning to the North, James struggles to embrace the unique power he has long tried to repress; the ability to commune with the spirits of the dead. In the bitter heart of a growing war, with the world dying around them, James and Wulfee desperately seek answers, vengeance, and a way to save the ones they love... No matter the cost. Fires refuse to burn. The skies are thirsty and breathless. The earth won’t eat its rot... Welcome to Ardura. |
The Rarkyn's Fall (The Rarkyn Trilogy #2) by Nikky Lee They survived mancers. They survived monsters. They survived the Storm. With the mountains behind them and Illredus on the horizon, they thought the hardest part of the journey over. They were wrong. Outlawed and on the run, Lyss struggles to control her new and volatile magic. A magic that will destroy her. Her only hope: Find the last remaining witch to tame it. Her only clue: Buried in Illredus. City of mancers. Capital of the Empire. Together, she and Skaar descend into Illredus’ underbelly and discover a warren of illegal magics and the monstrous legacy Lyss’ father left behind. As truth, loyalties, and magic clash, Lyss must decide how far she’ll go to exact justice in her father’s name… And how far she’ll fall to rule the power inside her once and for all. |
A Blend of Magic by Kate Kenzie A witch cannot exist on potions and tea alone. Hiding in the shadows, staunch singleton Willow Anderson is content running her successful business, The Enchanted Emporium. With Christmas days away, she’s eager to exchange selling bespoke tea blends and spells for extended bubble baths and binge-watching festive movies snuggled next to her Maine Coon, Vincent. Nate never usually runs away from his problems, but drunk and disorientated, he finds himself in a small fisherman’s cottage in the Yorkshire coastal town of Whitby. After discovering his girlfriend’s affair, he is in no rush to return to the City. His wish for time alone in a Christmas-free zone comes true until an uninvited feline guest arrives. Neither Nate nor Willow want company, especially from each other, but they have little choice when concussion means they must spend at least twenty-four hours together. Sparks fly and not just the romantic kind. When darkness from Willow’s past returns and threatens to destroy all she has worked for, pursuing a love affair is the last thing she needs. With meddling ghosts and a teenage apprentice with her own matchmaking agenda, love and change are in the air. But can Willow face her fears, and the past, to capture the happiness she deserves? |
The Woods Kept Silent by Blair Weeks Sixty-seven years ago, a young girl vanished without a trace at Camp Rockatchee. Within a month, another girl tragically drowned. Sydney Wilkerson’s grandmother, Ginny Hunt, was a camper at the time, but Sydney never learned all the details. As a kid, she loved to hear her grandmother’s stories about the brighter, happier days of her teenage years. Most of all, Sydney loved playing among the Washington pines that surrounded her grandmother’s home, just yards away from the shuttered, decaying campgrounds. She barely knew about the local rumors that the camp owner dabbled in the occult. She had no idea her grandmother was once friends with bothmissing girls. But when news of Ginny’s death transfers the estate to Sydney, she learns there’s more to her inheritance than a forest and long-lost memories. In fact, Ginny has left her a treasure hunt—a game that takes her deep into the vast forest, with mementos hidden in secret places. At first, Sydney assumes it’s a loving way to say goodbye. She settles into her new life and befriends the handsome but brooding neighbor who inherited the former camp. But as she starts to question what her grandmother is trying to reveal—or rather, what Ginny once tried to hide—Sydney begins to fear what awaits her at the end of the hunt. |
The Scrivener's Apprentice by Michelle Salsbery Words have power. Especially hers. When slave-girl Levila Day is sold to a city scrivener, the last thing she expects is to gain magic powers. But her new master not only frees her and offers to teach her his trade, he bestows on her mystical ink that only she has the innate power to use. With this ink, Levila can create detailed illusions of events real or fictional--even places she's never been and people she'll never meet. Levila doesn't know how dangerous her magic might be or how to control it. Seeking answers, Levila and her master must journey overland, braving perilous and magic-riddled lands in hopes of reaching Jhast, the distant town where dwells a half-crazed hermit priest--the only person who might have the knowledge Levila needs. If Levila can reach him before her own power dooms her as it did her father. |
Domestication by Shannon Knight In an eat or be eaten world, domestication is a death sentence. When Janie chose the isolated sheep farm, she knew her husband would hunt her down. What she didn’t expect was Rob and Howard. Rob rules the farm with the same domination tactics she uses to train dogs, while Howard believes only human supremacists think humans should be treated any differently than other animals. Janie inadvertently jumps out of the frying pan and into the fire. She wishes to leave her old self behind. She wants to transform. Will she devolve into meat, metamorphose into a monster, or transcend beyond her domesticated limitations? |
It's Only A Little Death by Shane Blackheart Being dead never felt so good... Silver's memories are gone, but that's the way death usually goes. You wake up by the Styx, you realize you're dead, you pick a name, and you pay Charon for a ride across the river. If you have nothing of value to give, Charon deals in other currencies too — including ones of the flesh. Silver soon finds themself sitting on a bed in a strange room. They're given a diary, which is the most important thing they now own, and a peer support worker, Ifris, who's less than stellar about the job. Silver isn't prepared to go through the stages of grief for their own death, but they're even less ready for the deal they made with Charon: Recover their memories and the reason they died in record time, and they get to avenge their murder. There's one problem; the only way to trigger memories is to create a shock to the system, which is easily attained by having an explosive climax at the hands of the beasts that hold Silver's life story. |
Incorrect Eyes by Andromeda Ruins Be Not Afraid Those three words have haunted me my entire life, and now I'm close. I know I am. I'm close to finding out the truth behind the words, the truth behind the Seraphim. The closer I get to uncovering the truth, to proving that the Seraphim are real, the further my mind slips. I can't sleep - can't dream - without seeing them. Life has become difficult all of a sudden and I know it's tied to them. I just have to keep going, keep learning, keep discovering. Everything will be better once I complete my research... Incorrect Eyes is a psychological religious horror involving paranoia, angels with too many eyes, and the least mentally stable protagonist I’ve ever written. Please read with caution. |
Blackburn Station by Karen Lucia Blackburn Station is dead. Jane watched the destruction of her home. Her friends and family, gone. The community of Blackburn Station wiped from the galaxy. Trapped in the confines of her escape pod, she forced herself to take in the totality of the space station’s destruction time and again. Blackburn Station had always operated outside of Union control. After the attack on the station, nobody but scavengers looking for a payout came to pick up the pieces. Returning to Blackburn is the last thing Jane should want to do, but it is all she can think about. |
Ben the Dragonborn (The Six Worlds) by Dianne E Astale Few people know the location of a mysterious school where heroes of the past train those who belong to the future. Ben Taylor only learns of the school’s true purpose when he is sent to the Principal’s office to talk about his fear of water. Miss Templeton gives him a simple test to see if he is a Chosen of the Guardian. That very day Ben is sent through a portal to a watery world of mermaids and monsters. “Has a mistake been made?” This is the question on everyone’s mind, including Ben’s. Ben’s only chance of success depends on discovering the secret of his own true self in a terrifying world where nightmares come to life. |
Fields Of Blood: The Horse Lord Book 1 by Arthur Drake All Eadmaer ever knew was a life of slavery, little did he know he had the makings of lordship in him. Eadmaer has never known anything other than service to the trolls. He fetches them food, tends to the beautiful four legged creatures they call "chattel", and tries to keep his people from caving in under their rule. He sees no other way for survival other than to keep the peace with his temperamental and often cruel masters. There is little the trolls fear...except strange creatures from the north. One day while tending to a wounded troll, Eadmaer sees one of these creatures, except far from being a beast out of a nightmare it looks strangely familiar. Eadmaer's curiosity is piqued and he will not rest until he discovers the mystery of the creatures from the north, and with that, perhaps the secret to defeating the trolls and freeing his people. But the trolls will not relinquish the secrets of the north so easily. And soon after the encounter, they're moving Eadmaer far away from his village and his people, as well as the potential mystery that could save them. Will Eadmaer be able to find out what secrets lie in the north? How to win his people's freedom? And maybe even how to defeat the trolls in combat? Or will he end up lost while his people are crushed? Fields Of Blood is the first book in The Horse Lord series by Arthur Drake. A sword and sorcery dark fantasy series. Fans of grim fantasy with plenty of action and adventure will find much to enjoy in this tale of heroism. Go with Eadmaer as he fights against seemingly impossible odds and discovers the secrets of his land...and of himself. Pick up your copy of this tale filled with heroic action, horrifying monsters, and cure your boredom today. |
Stillborn (Childe of Woe Book 1 by Fauster Kent Iris, servant of the Light, is beset by thieves upon the road. Broken and blinded, abandoned by her god, her family, and her friends, she finds solace in a dark new calling. 'Stillborn' chronicles the harrowing and tragic tale of Iris's death and rebirth as an avatar of mercy and vengeance. |
A Story Spun in Scarlet (Tales of Wonder and Woe) by Renee Dugan LET ME TELL YOU A STORY... AUDRA JASHOWIN is a storyteller without a purpose. When all the tales in the land of Mithra-Sha lost their endings, Audra fled from her family's rejection and the only home she ever knew. Now, with a sense of veiled danger haunting her heels and her life as devoid of direction as her stories, she arrives at long last in a city of fresh starts and second chances. There, she finds an adventure greater than she ever dreamed. JAIK GRISSOM might be the key to bringing back the power of all stories. A simple farmhand with a way around weapons, Jaik possesses more than a sharp wit that sets Audra's soul aflame. He's a natural amplifier with the talent to breathe life into her tales...into all the tales in Mithra-Sha. Chased from their comfortable lives by a stroke of ill luck on a fateful night, Audra and Jaik embark on a journey for answers-through the wilderness and over the raging sea, to the heart of storytelling itself. Along the way, the strange bond between them deepens as they begin to uncover a mystery that lurks beneath all the broken tales, written in the shroud of their own unlikely pasts. To mend the fractured stories in Mithra-Sha, Audra and Jaik must learn to embrace what lives at the core of their own stories: the bravery and brilliance, the loyalty and love, and the purpose and power they both harness-together and apart. And they must face a terrible truth penned between the pages of their quest...a tragedy that will change the course of history and rewrite the ending of their tale forever. |
The Aetherfire Conflict: The Dragons of Shadowhold Book I by Jordan Fox The Dragons of Shadowhold Book 1/3: The Aetherfire Conflict A Tale of Power, Betrayal, and Timelines Unraveled The war against the sylphs has been raging for 113 years. Emerging from the unknown, the wind elementals descended upon Hiraeth with a force unseen and unheard of. They overpowered & slaughtered its inhabitants, seizing control of every last magical spring. Lord Uriel Faldar, bearer of the Black Dragon’s power, stands as the last bastion against King Vanen Shih’s tyrannical sylph army. Amidst the turmoil, Uriel finds an unexpected bond kindling, a romance as surprising as it is powerful. Yet, in the shadows, a new menace stirs, casting a shroud of uncertainty and dread. As this saga of betrayal, sacrifice, and Passionate love unfolds, the lingering question is: Will Uriel be able to save Hiraeth, or will he fall victim to the machinations of gods and kings? The Dragons of Shadowhold is a spellbinding epic that melds magic, loyalty, and fractured timelines. Brace yourself for a battle for survival that transcends mortal bounds. This is the only trilogy that will have a closed door option available (no spicy scenes, just romance). The bottoms of the covers have an open door or closed door to ensure you have the correct version. The Dreaming Lands is more of an umbrella term for a large project that spans across multiple dimensions. You won't need to read the outside books to get the full story, but they have their own interesting storylines that all tie in to the main plot. |
The Dragon Magic (The Origin Cycle Book 1) by James Wheeler In a perilous world that is destined to become magical, its heroes rise. Aether walks a precarious path, his future in the hands of an unscrupulous aristocracy that can cast someone like him aside without blinking. Still, he forges ahead, driven to make something of himself, to earn the love of a young noblewoman who should, by the traditions of their people, remain forever out of his reach. When the unthinkable happens, Aether’s friends, the only family he has, must figure out how to put together an unprecedented expedition to rescue him. And Aether faces an even more daunting challenge; surviving the ancient homeland of his people, which for the last two centuries has been the perilous domain of several invasive species of dragon. Can his friends find a captain daring enough, and a tracker freethinking enough to help them mount an impossible rescue? Can Aether harness mysteries about the dragons that have puzzled his people for centuries? And if Aether does survive, and is able to grasp the power of the dragon magic, then what will befall those who made the corrupt decision to sacrifice him? |
Take Back Magic (Diamond Universe: Sierra Walker) by Casey Blair Earth's magic was stolen. She's taking it back. All Sierra Walker has ever wanted is magic, but the powerful mage who trained her as a child betrayed her, sending her back from a world full of magic to modern-day Seattle. So when he comes to her a decade later, Sierra glimpses an opportunity: She steals his wand, and with it, she begins to steal back magic—for everyone. In magical combat Sierra's a force to be reckoned with, but she's still on her own, her access to magic handicapped, with an entire world of mages now trying their best to kill her rather than share power. So when Nariel, a dangerous demon lord, offers his assistance, she can't say no. But she also knows better than to trust her life, and her magic, to anyone else ever again—no matter how he ignites a part of her she'd thought long lost. But as they race around the world to bring magic back while fighting for their lives, Sierra realizes there may now be two things she can't bear to lose. Diamond Universe: Sierra Walker is a fast-paced, action-packed urban romantasy series spanning the modern world and also other worlds full of magic, with a shadow-wielding demon boyfriend and a heroine who never quits no matter the odds and just goes harder as they fight to change the universe for everyone. Expect the heat level to escalate dramatically in each book. |