Skye City: Sister of a Rebel Soldier (The Darkness of Emmilyn Book 1) by R.D Hale

My name is Emmi Basilides. I am an orphan living in the slums of Medio city. Every slumdog I know underestimates me. They think I am a dumb kid who could not survive alone, not without my brother, but I have been through so much, and I have never asked anyone to fight my battles. My mother abandoned me when I was five years old and here I am – about to reach the grand old age of sixteen. Believe me, anyone who can survive ten years in this place deserves respect. Ever since my brother Arturo started working for a mysterious man, our lives changed dramatically. At first, Arturo had money and it went to his head, but then he disappeared, and I thought I was never going to see him again, until he escaped... from prison. That is when things really got crazy. Our friend Killow was infected by nanites which gave him superpowers, but also turned him evil. And now we have no idea where he is. Oh, and I forgot to mention our friend Dynah who also has superpowers and is non-evil. The plague came and my best friend Lel died. It broke my heart, but I will not be beaten by this world. 'Live for the moment' is what Lel used to say, and I will move forward in her honour. I will prove to my brother I am not a kid any more, and I will show our rotten country that this dumb, blonde, 'bottom-leveller' is a force to be reckoned with.

Under a Colder Sun (Khale the Wanderer #1) by Greg James

SPFBO Finalist

A Grimdark Fantasy Adventure set in a world of Darkness and Chaos! Khale the Wanderer: dark warrior of legend, a reaver with a demon’s soul. King Alosse: ruler of Colm, willing to risk everything to save his city and its people. Princess Milanda: an innocent, kept pure since birth, unknowing of her fate. Neprokhodymh: the cursed city of sorcerers where Khale must make a choice that will scar him for life, or fall into darkness forever. INCLUDES BONUS SHORT STORIES: 'Timestone' and 'Each Dawn, I Die'. 2015 SPFBO Finalist!