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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. |
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A girl has gone missingânothing unusual for the corrupt, crime-filled megacity of Xi, where biotechnical mods make everyone as unique and dangerous as their imaginations allow. Soon enough, no one will remember that the girl ever existed. At least, thatâs what Chance believes, until a duo of ambitious bounty hunters snatch him from his mundane day-to-day in the slums and introduce him to the shiny, secretive world of Xiâs rich and powerful. Meanwhile, in the cityâs sparkling high-rises, a pair of siblings witness a murder and are forced into the violent bowels of the city, hunting for answers as they are hunted by a killer. A hard-punching, fast-paced cyberpunk fantasy, The Neons follows an ensemble cast of unlikely heroes as they untangle the wires of a twisted mystery and uncover a reality inhabited by cybernetic deities, android angels, and the resurrected demons of their own past lives. |
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Fair Market Value (The Body Shop Book 1) by Hailey Edwards Forgot to feed your goldfish before your untimely demise? Need to jot down a will? Say a goodbye? See the Grand Canyon? Then come visit us at The Body Shop, where unfinished business is our business. Mary Frances TalbotâFrankieâis a necromancer, probably. Hard to say since she never met her parents. She can see the dead, talk to the dead, and a few other things that arenât strictly legal. Itâs fine. No worries. As long as she doesnât get caught. The whole not getting caught thing was going well until Samuel Harrow blew back into town wearing a Savannah Police Department uniform. He might be a witch, but he hates magic. Heâs not a fan of Frankie either. Which explains why heâs her ex. When Frankieâs less than legal side gigs result in dead vampires, she knows sheâs in trouble. Big trouble. And thatâs before Harrow offers to help. With him waving a Get Out of Jail Free card in her face, Frankie doesnât have much choice but to accept. But that doesnât mean she has to forgive. Sheâll certainly never forget him breaking her heart or turning her over to the police or... Yeah. They were doomed from the start. Something tells her this investigation will be too. |
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Hall of Shadows by Mariah Stillbrook In the quiet life of Tess Moreau lies a remarkable powerâher touch revives ashes, defying nature's laws. When she uncovers a mysterious book linked to her grandmother and a witch's coven, her journey begins. Guided by a cursed deck of oracle cards, Tess delves into The Hall of Shadows, a realm crafted by her ancestors. With each dimension traversed, she uncovers her true lineageâa descendant of mythical beings. As Tess's humanity wanes, her destiny beckons. At journey's end, she faces a choice: preserve or destroy the hall. In a tale of magic and identity, Tess's odyssey may end, but her legacy is just beginningâa testament to the power within us all. |
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The Darkness of Dying in the Light by S.E. Reed Sultry Savannah is where we lay our scene, from a time that once, but never was. Two households, both alike in dignity, collide in the chaos of civil unrest igniting a forbidden romance between a pair of star-crossed lovers. â Seventeen-year-old automaton, Sephony Roulette, is beautiful and headstrong. Against her will, she's been betrothed to an ambitious politician desperate for her father's money. Sephony would rather die than marry him and her mechanical heart breaks to set her free. â Marcus Wexhaven is called in to use his micro-cogs to repair Sephony's damaged heart. When she wakes in his arms, the fiery passion between them cannot be denied. To prove to their feuding families their love is worth celebration, Sephony and Marcus work in secrecy to unravel a vicious political plot. When Sephony finds herself on the receiving end of a hideous crime, it's Marcus who comes to the rescue, again. â He is willing to fight to protect her, even if that means his own death. Sephony is far too proud to let Marcus die alone. For never was a story of more darkness than of Sephony and her Marcus. |
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Old Palmetto Drive by S.E. Reed Teen socialite Rian Callusa knows her privileged New York life is over as they drive down a backwoods road toward her new home. But instead of pulling up to a dusty shack, her jaw drops when her Mom parks in front of a stylish mansion. Maybe she doesn't know as much about her Mom as she thought. While Rian spends time in the Everglades with her cousins, Travis and Sam, and falls head over heels for vintage-loving Justine, she learns it isn't just her Mom keeping secrets. They've all got secrets too. Until one fateful night, the dark, murky waters of the swamp decide to tell the story about what really happened on Old Palmetto Drive. |
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The worlds behind her eyelids by Alexa Lee âTell me, kid... How do you feel about desecrating a graveyard?â Suffocated by her narcissistic mother's constant complaints, Grace retreats into the refuge of her mind. Her imagination becomes her only source of escape, and there she meets a grizzly treasure hunter, Mitch, with a history of rescuing strays. He takes Grace under his wing, allowing her to accompany him on his search for a long-lost artefact. Split between her mundane reality and the exhilarating new world she has created, Grace leads an exciting double life. In one, she is a normal teenager, but in the other, she travels with Mitch, slowly discovering more about the shadowy world he is involved in and those hunting him down. The lines between reality and imagination blur as Grace continues to delve into her daydreams whenever reality is too hard to deal with, but soon, she finds other worlds. However, they are not as welcoming as she expected, and escape may not be quite so simple... |
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Autumn Nights: Nine Stories to Nibble at Your Nape by Helen Whistberry, L.T. Ward, Stefanie Contreras, Jeff Ehrmann, Frank L Tybush V, Alexis L. Carroll, Eileen Curley Hammond, Jaecyn Bone, Fay Lane Falling leaves cover dying flowerbeds, chill gusts herald frosty nights, and pumpkins reach peak season. The denizens of darkness prowl earlier each evening. Weddings and changelings, carnivals and hauntings⌠creepy creatures, and murderous intent all meet in this cozy horror anthology. Bundle up with cider and gather 'round the campfire, or stay at home with the windows shut and the lights onâread however your heart desires. Autumn Nights Charity Anthology Series is proud to present the final volume: Nine Stories to Nibble At Your Nape. This finale provides autumn-themed horror thatâs safe for adults and later teens alike. No graphic violence, no SA, and minimal cursing is the promise of all Autumn Nights Charity Anthology books. This yearâs profits go entirely to the Trevor Project, an organization dedicated to providing crisis support and safe spaces for LGBTQ individuals through trained crisis counselors and advocacy. |
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Devil by the Tail by Caroline Lavoie In a small town in the Rockies, a mountain looms: the Devilâs Tail. According to local lore, a wicked trickster haunts its slopes, and whoever glimpses it is cursed to lose someone they love. Alex refuses to believe sheâs been cursed. She only ever saw the beast in her nightmares. Even if itâs real, it canât hurt her because she doesnât let anyone get too close to her heart. That is, until Amka moves to town. In no time, Alexâs carefully built walls begin to crumble. But what if Alexâs fear of loss is a curse of its own? There are a hundred ways to die on the Devilâs Tail, but only one way to break the curse. The path is treacherous, and the beast is waiting. |
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The Sorcerer and the Necromancer by Susan Ann Walker A young swordsman with a threatening secret. A rogue mage with a forbidden power. When they do battle, will the city survive? Daric came to ignore the slur of being called "blank." Growing up without magic of his own in a remote enclave of wizards, he left as soon as he could to make his way with his sword and his wits. Then the seventeen-year-old bodyguard accidentally discovers he has a hidden Gift for sorcery, enabling him to drain mystical energy from others, and he is terrified that his suddenly-appearing talent places everyone around him in deadly peril. Determined to master his new abilities, Daric finds a mentor to guide him and friends who support him, even though many fear him and demand his exile. But while he trains, a necromancer is killing elderly merchants and animating their corpses to rob them; and seers are dreaming of a devastating firestorm soon to come. As rumors swirl and panic mounts, the fledgling sorcerer realizes he may be the key to saving the place that's become his adopted homeâor the cause of its destruction. Can Daric wield his dangerous skills to stop a madman from burning everything and everyone around him to ashes? Or will he lose control, and bring about the very disaster he is desperate to prevent? The Sorcerer and the Necromancer is the third book in the "Tales from the City of Magic" sword and sorcery series. It can be read on its own, although there are some continuing characters from earlier books. If you enjoy stories of hidden powers, dark prophecies and found families, then you'll love Susan Ann Walker's exciting fantasy adventure. |
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Shadow of the Jade Cat by Susan Ann Walker A supernatural killer prowls the streets. Can a troubled guardian prevent a bloodbath? Lord Bastian carries the weight of the city on his shoulders. A master mage charged with keeping the peace in a mecca for those with magical gifts, he's challenged by powerful guild leaders who question his authority. When a prominent but unscrupulous merchant is gutted by a mysterious creature on the eve of a trade fair, the embattled magister scrambles to solve the crime while confronting accusations he himself wanted the victim dead. As more dismembered corpses turn up, Bastian is dismayed to learn the murderer is an agent of vengeance created by a deity that no mage or priest can hope to contain. Stalked by the arcane predator, harried by human assassins, and doubting his own abilities, he desperately seeks aid from an old rival and a devout but untrained young temple novice. Together, can these uneasy allies stop a relentless destroyer made by a goddess, or will a throng of arriving fairgoers become lambs to the slaughter? Shadow of the Jade Cat is the second book in the "Tales from the City of Magic" sword and sorcery series. (It can be read on its own, but you'll know more about the characters' backgrounds if you read book 1, How the Wraith Got His Soul Back, first.) If you're a fan of stories with dark magic, enigmatic gods, and mystical creatures, then Susan Ann Walker's spooky fantasy thriller is for you. |
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How the Wraith Got His Soul Back by Susan Ann Walker A young healer fleeing a dark wizard. A monster desperate to regain his stolen soul. Can a lost warrior guide them to refuge? Cayden i'Daubrin meant to turn his back on battle forever. After his men were slaughtered while he lay injured, the legendary fighter nicknamed "Deathgiver" wandered aimlessly, taking any job that didn't require leading others into combat. Until, discovering that a runaway girl he was hired to find is hunted by a blood mage for her healing gift, he chooses to help her escape rather than return her to certain death. Struggling to protect the adventurous teen, Cayden becomes even more alarmed when she befriends a wraithâa tortured creature whose spirit was taken by a curse. As they all race toward sanctuary in the magical city he once called home, with an army of blood slaves and mercenaries closing in, the weary swordsman steels himself to face the evil sorcerer blocking their only route to safety. Can Cayden win against a relentless foe who commands the powers of countless previous victims? Or will he lose his life, and the lives of the fugitives who gave him their trust? How the Wraith Got His Soul Back is the first book in the Tales from the City of Magic sword and sorcery series. If you enjoy stories with dark magic, thrilling swordfights, and reluctant but ultimately noble heroes, then you'll love Susan Ann Walker's fast-paced fantasy adventure. |
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Glintborn Fools by J.L. Knight Adventure is dangerously close to home . . . Strange events are occurring in the sleepy town of Colville. The sky cracks open, magic rains down, and eighteen-year-old Aria and her classmates Claire, Sorin, and Michael start to manifest supernatural abilities. But along with the rain, something sinister has arrived. Now, the quartet must not only uncover the mystery of who shattered the sky but find a way to use their new powers to stop a murderous creature with its sights set on Aria . . . Magic, danger, and romance invade small-town America in the first in this brand new young adult fantasy adventure series, perfect for fans of Holly Black, Samantha Shannon, and Lauren Robertsâ âPowerlessâ Trilogy. |
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The Hammersmyth Tales: A Steampunk Short Story Collection by Keith W. Dickinson A collection of tales to delight and amuse, introducing readers to the steampunk world of Hammersmyth and the many characters that live there. Meet Dexter the mechanical cat, Nomko the engineer, and Agnes Goodenough, everyone's favourite muscle for hire. And get to know Hammersmyth itself, a city at the forefront of the great steam revolution, and the setting for the two steampunk novels DEXTER & DETECTING AGENTS and THE DRAGONFLY DELIVERY COMPANY. |
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The Orphan Ark by Scott Pinkowski When Isabelle and her friends have a brush with a supernatural artifact that grants them otherworldly abilities, they handle it the only way that makes sense: they become amateur superheroes. But no power comes without cost and the fallout from their choices just may have xenocidal consequences. Caught between shadowy extraterrestrial hunters who will stop at nothing to prey on their power and an unscrupulous head of a bioengineering firm, the friends will need to learn that it takes more to being heroes than possessing superpowers. |
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Fate of the Drowned by Carrie Summers The Empire is shattered. From the northern ice fields to the storm-battered coast, chasms gash the landscape. Hordes of twisted beasts ravage towns and cities, and still, the people riot. But the prophecies offer hope. Bolstered by the newfound, if fragile, peace with Stormshard, Emperor Kostan begins to fortify his rule. Savra, torn between her desire to learn her familyâs fate and the duty she feels to her Emperor, delves deeper into her magic in hopes she can answer both calls. At the heart of the Empire, an ancient seal will soon fail. But Savra and Kostan will fight to the end. Together they represent the Empireâs last hope for salvation. |
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Rise of the Storm by Carrie Summers Two prophecies. Two heroes. Only one can be right. Kostan sits upon a splintering throne. Savra huddles in a makeshift cell, awaiting the judgment of those she betrayed. The land grows dark with the blood of Prov and Atal alike. But beyond the human struggles, a graver threat looms. Aided by the rogue mage, Havialo, the Breaking strains at the bones of the Empire. As the land shatters, a dark tide rises. Two prophecies offer slim hopes for humanity. One names Savra as the Empire's savior. The other envisions Kostan leading the war against the darkness. Both can't be right. But if the coming war decides who survives, humanity may find it has murdered its last hope. Scroll up and click to continue the Broken Lands saga, and follow the read with Fate of the Drowned, out now! |
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Heart of the Empire by Carrie Summers The Empire is heartless, but fate is crueler still. Tainted magic spills from a crack between worlds. Quakes rattle the Atal Empire, opening rifts that split towns in two. As the land shatters and betrayals cleave the Emperor's court, ancient power awakens in a flame-haired young woman. Savra, a miner on a remote coast, lives in relative innocence of her Emperor's savage rule. When she turns seventeen, she expects to be assigned sluice mining as her official Function. Everyone from her home village is a sluicer--unless they turn renegade and fugitive like Savra's father. But when she's suddenly torn from her home, turned pawn in the plots of madmen, a chance meeting with a young man provides the first glimpse of her tangled destiny. For nineteen years, Kostan has been groomed for one thing: ascension to the throne. One of thirteen imperial Scions, he bears a wound that won't heal until his twenty-first birthday. On that date, only the shape of the Scions' scars will determine the next Atal Emperor. Savra secretly fears she carries her father's rebel blood. Kostan despises everything the Empire stands for. Neither desires a fight, but as the Empire crumbles around them, they stand on opposite sides of a war. Each could be part of Empire's salvation, if only they could bridge the chasm dividing them. Tangled fates. Epic stakes. Join thousands who have entered the Broken Lands. |
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The Forsaken Prince by Madison Rosipal Born in a world where her people were once deemed criminal, Princess Celestine of Yulia walks a delicate path. Not only is she a descendant of the royal family that led the massacre of people with magic, she was also born a magician. In her search for belonging, she uncovers a family secret dating back centuries and a murderous plot that's been brewing for ages. Pulled between two worlds, she struggles to preserve peace, but will her efforts pay off? |
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The Lost Erwain by Mariah Stillbrook Embark on an enchanting journey with Makayla Wood, a 17-year-old prodigy destined for greatness in the human world. Makayla's life takes an unexpected turn when she discovers her true identityâa rare and magical being with the power to change destinies. Faced with the challenge of embracing her heritage, Makayla delves into the whimsical realm of Garlandia, where she must battle the darkness that threatens her homeland. As Makayla navigates her newfound powers and confronts the mysteries of Garlandia, she discovers an unlikely ally in Toby, the heir to the elven throne. Their forbidden connection, shrouded in intrigue and danger, adds a layer of complexity to Makayla's quest for justice. Unraveling the secrets of her past, Makayla confronts a malevolent force seeking dark magic at the cost of innocent lives. In a riveting blend of fantasy and self-discovery, Makayla's journey transcends worlds, weaving a tale of love, courage, and the pursuit of justice. Will she overcome the challenges of her magical heritage and return to her ordinary life, or will Makayla choose to embrace her destiny and confront the ancient prophecy foretelling her extraordinary future? |
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Heart of Vanris by Nikki McCormack Kasiel and his unit have made a name for themselves. Enough of one that they are now being sent to the northern capital to be paraded before the people as heroes and to escort the khevarinâs daughter back south with them. It is a mission that should give them all a much-needed break from fighting and allow Kasiel time to recover from his injuries. What starts as a simple assignment becomes more complicated when the khevarinâs strong-willed daughter decides Kasiel and his unit will continue serving as her personal guards. With the war ongoing and rumors of possible political alliances in the air, protecting her may prove far more dangerous and disruptive than they imagined. Still new to life as a soldier, Kasiel is unprepared for the complex matters of royalty and politics, especially while still learning to navigate the ever-complicated challenges of leadership and love. |
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Blood of Vanris by Nikki McCormack Kasielâs healing injuries still trouble him, almost as much as the memories of what he did at the Hall in Katovan. Though he trains to become a better fighter and mind-crafter, a deeper understanding of the roles he is expected to fill makes it harder for him to come to terms with his place in Vanrian society. Then the southern kingdoms emerge with a new weapon for fighting Vanrian mind-crafters. One that could change the course of the war. The situation leads to Kasiel being required to take a more active role in the conflict sooner than planned. With his countryâs growing need of mind-crafters like him, Kasiel learns what it really means to be at war, and what it feels like to lose. He is about to discover how far heâs willing to go to protect the ones he loves. |
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Embark on a thrilling adventure with Lea and Jake as they navigate the unexpected twists and turns at the biggest superhero fan convention of the year. When Lea finds herself trapped in an elevator during the event with superstar Jake, also known as The Amazing Boy, they realize something sinister is afoot. With everyone at the convention frozen, including Leaâs friends, Lea and Jake must team up to unravel the mystery behind the villainous acts plaguing Philadelphia. As they race against time, Lea grapples with whom to trust, while Jake uncovers startling truths about his own identity. A pulse-pounding journey filled with friendship, betrayal, and the ultimate quest for justice, will Lea and Jake save the day, or will supervillains prevail? Dive into this gripping tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the very end. |
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Gay the Pray Away by Natalie Naudus Valerie Danners is in a cult. She just doesnât know it yet. When she finds a queer book at the library and smuggles it home, her conservative Christian homeschooling world begins to crack. And when the cutest girl sheâs ever met shows up to Bible class, she starts to question everything. Riley is so confident and kind, and she and Valerie bond quickly over existing as multiracial teens in a very white Christian community. As Valerie explores her feelings for Riley, she begins to see that the world she knows is a carefully crafted narrative. Publicly, the girls are close friendsâholding hands in prayer, rooming together at a conference. Privately, they grasp at any chance to continue their forbidden romanceâuntil they are found out. Now Valerie must choose between staying with a family she fears will never accept her, or running away with the girl she loves. |
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The Ghosts of Nothing by Cecily Walters ** Winner - Indie B.R.A.G. Medallion ** ** Finalist - The Wishing Shelf Book Awards ** The town of Nothing is haunted⌠âŚor so its citizens believe. Sixteen-year-old Nelly is skeptical of the stories until one night she spots a strange light sneaking through the abandoned house on her familyâs farm. When she investigates, she finds ⌠fairies. Within hours of this discovery, Nelly's grandmother is catatonic, and the otherworldly trespassers are offering up a cure. But only at a terrible price. It turns out that Nelly is a rare find for the fae. And the shocking reason why is buried in a past only the dead can remember. The Ghosts of Nothing is the first book in a fantasy series based on traditional fairy mythology. It's like a spooky version of Harry Potter, but with fairies. Perfect for fans of Holly Black's The Cruel Prince series, Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey or Leigh Bardugo's Shadow and Bone. Now a Wishing Shelf Award finalist. |
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Xiapo Yellip Zump (book 1: Let the Adventure Begin!) by Yehuda Shapira Sure, the prophecy sounds fake. And it's a total cliche. But Xiapo lacks backbone, and is bullied into taking the responsibility to save the planet. Aided by his glowing dog and magical staff that doesn't do anything, Xiapo must face thugs, demons, mysterious Things, lack of toilet paper and â worst of all â boredom, on his epic mission to save Earth before it is destroyed by those bumbling humans. "This book is a work of art!" - Author's mother "I would suggest this book to people who donât mind spelling mistakes" - Christy E, Amazon customer |
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Cursed King by Danielle Paquette-Harvey "Nothing mattered but the soft, tantalizing beat of the heart in this womanâs chest, which thrilled the beast inside me." A vampire assassin. . . bad, in all the best ways. A sexy half-vampire, half-werewolf King, elves, dragons, magic, and betrayal. In a world teetering on the edge of chaos, a legendary prophecy unfolds, foretelling the rise of the cursed king. Born from an impossible love between a vampire and a werewolf, he possesses a power unrivaled by any creature that roams the night. A cruel fate awaits the cursed king, Nathan, as his rule is forced into question after a series of unexplainable events. Confronted by enemies from all corners, the cursed king is thrust into a web of deceit, peril, and betrayal, far surpassing anything he had ever imagined. To reclaim his destiny and restore equilibrium to a world on the brink of ruin, he must confront the very essence of his own existence. Caleb never misses a contract, even better when it's a woman he can savor. The day his target slips through his fingers threatens to tarnish his reputation. The assassin will go to the ends of the earth to hunt and finish what he's been hired to do. Samantha comes from a respected line of noble vampires, but their fortune is secretly lost. Now betrothed to the cursed king, she hopes to restore her family's name. However, her true motives remain shrouded in darkness as faith dictates her every move, for the gods have chosen her. In this epic tale of forbidden love, dark prophecies, and insurmountable challenges, the cursed king must rise above his origins and find the strength to defy destiny. The worldâs fate hangs in the balance as the cursed king confronts his true legacy. 5 Stars Editorial Review by Stephanie Chapman for Readersâ Favorite |
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The Awakening by Mitchell Hill Follow The Brothers on their bloody journey for vengeance as they traverse a land kept from them. Journey with them, as they come to terms with their new, magically Augmented limbs. Born in war, Augmented in death. Meet Broax and Akii. Twins, opposite in almost every way. United by their motherâs murder. Born during the sacking of their town, their father only just managed to get them out alive. Raised in isolation, their fighting skills were honed as war raged around them. Coming of age, they find out their mother made the ultimate sacrifice for them. This sets in motion their journey for bloody revenge; but vengeance never quite goes to plan. Death finds them at their first battle, but this is only the beginning. Reborn at the hands of a magiik, they discover theyâve been Augmented with new limbs. More powerful than sword and steel, vengeance is back on. Carving their way through the land, they discover theyâre embroiled in something much bigger than just their revenge⌠If youâre a fan of Michael R. Fletcher, Joe Abercrombie or James Barclay then youâll love The Augmented: The Awakening. |
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I was just a child. A wizard came to my town. He came to find me. In a fiery blast I lost my home, my friends, my family. The entire town was obliterated. I grew up a fugitive, surviving on the charity of others. As I hid, my powers grew. The nightmares grew as well. Something was welling up from within me. Something that could not be contained. As an adult I took my place among the wizards. I ruled my country as a figurehead, a puppet of those with greater power or experience. I wasn't to be trusted, or even talked to, for five long years. The other wizards decided my fate. I was to be imprisoned, watched, guarded by the very wizard responsible for the death of my parents. I had to lose everything, even my sense of self, before I found out who I was, and who my real enemies are. |
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Legend of Elberkhan by Yuxiao Chen Thousands of years after dark magic was subdued, unknown danger threatens the seemingly peaceful Hilldown Plain... Aary, a youth of seventeen, is a captive and servant to the King of Elberkhan, a cruel, merciless monarch with a mysterious past. Living under constant mental and physical abuse, Aary's only consolations are his secret haven, a treehouse deep in the forest, and his friends, Rudi and Lyna. He would risk everything for them, but no one he cares about can truly be safe, when the king's biggest enjoyment is Aary's suffering... A number of short music leitmotifs, illustrations, and nested sub-stories completes the transmedia storyline. A live performance of the theme music Kingdom of Elberkhan composed and conducted by the author, performed by the Sydney University Wind Orchestra, can be watched online: https://youtu.be/9I41lpn_9sw |
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The Youngling by Stephen Harrington Magic, mystery, and destinies entwine as two worlds collide. In the world of The Midgarden, Synesthesia is the only Youngling. Orphaned as a child, her solace lies in the companionship of her loyal dog, Bron, and the tales within her cherished books. But an unexpected twist of fate alters her path forever when her uncle insists on her enrolment at the prestigious Academy. On her treacherous journey, fate intervenes in the form of the enigmatic Griffinkat, a mysterious creature with the uncanny ability to delve into her thoughts, unravelling secrets she never knew existed. Within Synesthesia lies a power shrouded in the mists of time, a force that defies comprehension and beckons her to unlock its hidden potential. In parallel narratives, Seth awakens in a foreign realm, his body battered and carrion birds circling ominously above. His rescue by a mysterious figure, sets in motion a mesmerizing saga that crosses the borders of worlds, unveiling mysteries and interconnected destinies. Meanwhile, Brother Octavion, overseeing his monastery, catches sight of a blaze in the valley below. Investigating the aftermath, they discover the scorched remnants of a traveling show, the lone survivors being a peculiar girl shielding a dying boy. Villagers brand them as demons from hell, but their true identities remain shrouded in mystery. In this mesmerizing novel, worlds collide, destinies intertwine, and secrets unfurl as the lives of Synesthesia, Seth, and Octavian converge in a captivating tale of magic, mystery, and destiny that transcends generations. |
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Messengers of Ilbeor by T.J. Klapprodt Messengers connect six races of the verdant and beautiful land of Ilbeor, and newly trained messenger Alanda feels the promise of her adult life as she steps into the world to find her fortune. Faithful dog Alis at her side, Alanda traverses the mountainous wilderness only to be punished by storm and sun before becoming the first elf-friend in generations. When she meets charming messenger Tostig and feels the spark of a connection unlike any sheâs ever known, she believes her life has truly begun. After being greeted by tragedy and a brother changed by primal magics she does not understand, Alanda must travel the icy wastes with an unlikely companion to discover the answers to her brotherâs prophetic gifts and her own heritage. With only a mysterious artifact to guide her way, she knows only one thing: her entire destiny is about to change. In Tostigâs attempt to race to her side, he is waylaid by the mysterious Sashu toward his own changed future as powerful magician and a hand of the gods themselves. As Alanda and Tostig uncover who they were fated to be, they learn the appearance of peace in Ilbeor is only given by the lack of outright warâŚand when they each come to the attention of vengeful elven mage Altoneir, they stand to find out just how much they have to lose. |
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Undine's Blessing by Tessa Hastjarjanto A dutiful daughter, a mystical archipelago, and a hidden power waiting to command the tides... Marella spends her days caring for her sick mother and selling her father's fish. Bound by duty and love, she dreams little of adventure. But when her mother must travel to the city for treatment, her father takes her out to sea, despite her fear of water. A storm steers them to Emberrain, home to a tribe of magical nymphs and a place of secrets, where Marella discovers a startling truth: her father is a frequent visitor to these mysterious islands. Soon she learns that Emberrain isn't the only secret he had kept from her. Marella has the power to control water and communicate with aquatic animals. Overwhelmed by the magical but dangerous islands, and the secrets of her father, Marella must learn to harness her powers to save herself and her new aquatic friend before they are separated from their parents forever. Undine's Blessing is a journey of wonder, where fears are faced and mysteries unravel, and a young girl learns that true adventure begins when you dare to embrace who you truly are. |
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The Enchanter's Counsel by Thalib Razi All compasses point to Fridheim, a holy city at the north pole of a spinning, coin-shaped planet called Quatrain. A hundred years after the millennium-long âOld Warâ between the coinâs faces over its sacred and gemstone-rich rim, the cityâs âNew Peaceâ is threatened by earthquakes, extremists, and tensions between its goblin, elf, and dwarf inhabitants. The son of immigrants who run a cafĂŠ in Fridehimâs goblin quarter, Mizan al-Wasati has just graduated with a degree in gemstone enchanting and is determined to prove to himself (and his overbearing parents) that heâs worthy of a job in that prestigious, modern field of magic. But his journey home in search of work and love ends up putting him in the middle of his hometownâs postcolonial politics, a religious feud between mystic traditionalists and violent literalists, an awkward reencounter with his childhood crush â and a strange magical disaster that suddenly falls upon him and his friends to fix. The debut fantasy novel of Sri Lankan American Muslim writer and singer-songwriter Thalib Razi, The Enchanterâs Counsel turns the tropes of the high fantasy genre on their heads (or tails, if you will) and explores a world where East and West literally cannot see eye to eye, where the epics of good versus evil are just biased accounts from a forgotten era, and where people rely on convenient magical devices instead of the power in their bones. Nothing like our world, of course⌠Turn the pages to find out more! |
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Gabriel's Journey by Thomas J. Prestopnik An exciting adventure novel for pre-teen and adult readers. Gabriel mouse and his friends enjoy a carefree existence in the field along the country roadâuntil the night of the wild summer storm! When a fiery bolt of lightning destroys an abandoned barn across the road, their lives are changed forever. But was the barn really abandoned after all? Rumors have always existed of green-eyed beasts living there, but the mice had never seen them and so never believed in them. Until now. Six creatures have fled the burning barn like shadows in the night, secretly crossing the road into Gabriel's field during the storm, and now live in the nearby woods. Watching... Waiting... Now that danger hunts them down, the mice realize that the rumors are all too true. So Gabriel and a group of friends decide to search for a new home behind the walls of an estate where life is said to be perfect. But the situation is far from perfect before their journey even starts. Gabriel's best friend Simon is falling under the spell of the beasts and puts the mice in grave danger. Will Simon betray them all? Or will Gabriel succeed before all is lost? Let the journey begin... |
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The Young Necromancer's Guide to Ghosts by Vanessa Ricci-Thode Lusi can see ghosts. And that's only the beginning of her problems. Lusi is a perfectly normal 12-year-old wizard except for the part where she can talk to ghosts. But everyone knows ghosts arenât real, so at best they think Lusi is lying and at worst that sheâs lost her mind. Her big sister Marsi is the only one who believes her, but Marsi is running away to escape Uncleâs terrible plan to make her marry his creepy nephew. Lusi canât imagine being separated from her sister and leaves behind the rest of their family to flee with Marsi via merchant caravan to the Wizards Guild for help. All their plans are dashed to pieces when Uncle catches up to them in a matter of days. Uncleâs connections to powerful wizards make him far more dangerous than Lusi initially realized. But Lusi isnât crazy or a freak for talking to ghosts: sheâs a necromancer! Marsi is worriedâtheyâve always been told that necromancers are monsters. Lusi needs to learn more to set both their minds at ease. She must enlist the help of a ghost girl, a dragon, and a strange wizard from the other side of the world if she wants to control her unusual talents and keep her family safe. |
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The Will of the World by M.J. Lindemann "May the will of the world guide your path." Plagued by the relentless husk, the populace must seek refuge behind barriers powered by crystal pylons provided by the Guild. But maintaining these safe havens comes at an extortionate price. As settlements are lost to greed, the tide of abominations surge, threatening to sweep humanity away. Four lives intersect amidst the storm: A mercenary with a penchant for thievery and a hunger for glory. An assassin on a path of vengeance for her lost life. A senator with machinations to save the world from inevitable collapse. A mystic with immense potential and little control. All four possess the power to save the world. Will their efforts avoid the coming calamity? Or incite catastrophe? If you enjoy the magic and intrigue from books and series such as The Sword of Kaigen, The Wheel of Time, and Shadow and Bone, you should check out The Will of the World. |
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Cascade of Sparks by Mary Stephenson Su Elves, Magic, and Trouble of Imperial Proportions Born with the ability to see magic, Zaria hides her gifts in an attempt to fit in with her elven community. Itâs easier to focus on school and go with the flow. Sheâs not one to speak up, especially not for the new elf from the Imperial Center who is as infuriating as he is handsome. Jovan is new to the valley, and he's never quite fit in. His ambitions are bigger than life in a small town, and heâll do what it takes to go after them. Never one to hold back, he calls Zaria out on her refusal to stand up for the truthâand sparks fly. When Jovan finds himself framed for a crime he didnât commit, only Zariaâs unique gift can save him. Theyâll have to work together to clear his name. Will Zaria risk everything to save Jovan, or will she leave him at the mercy of his accusers? |
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After Silence by Natalie Northwood Pity is he who rules the world. Inevitable is she who burns it. Norandia, a human-inhabited land abandoned by its slaughtered deities, is on the brink of war with the rest of continental Halivaara. But it isnât just humans who call Halivaara home. Here dwell eight other territories, seven nonhuman species called Dwellers, and six reigning kingdoms. Today, they know no peace; historically, they never have. Cerys Odessa is a mage hiding in Norandia, where Dwellers are burned at the stake for daring to cross the border; if they find her, they will kill her. But when Vanadey, one of Norandiaâs extinct deities, suddenly resurfaces to burn towns in an act of revenge, Cerys realizes that maybe her hidden magic can help stop the brewing war that Vanadey started a millennium ago. But Cerys canât rise against her on her own. With the aid of an outlawed shapeshifter, Cerys must cross enemy lines to seek alliances with the last living dragon, a mage queen who enslaves men, and the king of the werewolves if she hopes to stop Vanadey before war consumes Norandia and everyone she loves. After Silence is a dark, gritty tale of forced heroism in a land of murderous deities and brewing war, where every character has only those they love to loseâand love is everything. |
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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, heâs 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 canât 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 heâs 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 Kasielâs ears will do anything to keep him out of his true fatherâs hands, even if it means killing him. |
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A Strange Bunch by Nikola Stefan An epic fantasy saga based on myths, legends, and folk fairytales which have enthralled generations worldwide. To lose everything, and remain apart, darkness always round her, darkness in her heart!â¨To wander the world, without peace or cheer, shadow ever pursuing, and escape nowhere! Deep in the forgotten past, a dark force awakensâŚÂ The sole survivor of a mysterious devastating attack is hounded by an unnatural pack with a black horseman at the helm. She finds herself on a perilous quest alongside a group of enigmatic misfits, brought together through chance encounters and unforeseen alliances. Chosen by the gods or beguiled into believing so by the far-seeing daughter of a witch, the companionship seeks to unravel the secrets of a fateful prophecy. Experience the thrill of swords and sorcery in wandering a medieval world of mythical creatures, dark forests, and lost cities with these unsung heroes â in a race for their very lives, as they battle deadly shadows rising from the depths of time! |
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In the world of Edenarth, faerie technology has advanced the realms immeasurably. Crystal ball communications, magic mirror displays, and portaling for fast travels are just some of the things that the Clans of Fey have engineered for human consumptionâat the right price, of course. Politically, countless kingdoms and realms vie for power and prestige. It is a world filled with terrifying dragons, fearsome trolls, clueless humans, eccentric alchemists, syndicates and pirates, mysterious mermaids, faeries and their magic. In the realm of Kelemer, Adella lives a life of peasantry with her parents, always having to hide from a shadowed past no one will name. One night, they are visited by the grandmother Adella never knew she had: Queen Cassandra Everheart, ruler of the ocean kingdom of Adamaris, the neighboring realm to the south. After years of hiding, Adella learns why her family has been hunted as Cassandra apologizes for banishing Adellaâs father for marrying outside of the royal bloodlines. Adamaris has since been bereft of an heir, and with Adella being the rightful crown, she is presented with the choice to leave and attend Royal High, a finishing academy for nobility. Within three yearsâ time, she will be expected to become Queen of Adamaris should she embrace her birthright. Naturally, fifteen year old Adella is stunned, but reluctantly agrees. She is then whisked away and thrust into the opulent castle halls of Royal High to learn alongside other young royals from across the realms. But a strange darkness haunts Adella in the shadows of the palatial school, and through a series of increasingly dire events, Adella finds that not everyone is as they appear in the world of royals. For under the surface of all kingdoms, a terrible and dark force is rising; an ancient breed of Dragon Kin, once thought vanquished by five guardians of light, are fighting to break free from their thousand year exile. Can Adella Everheart understand what her dreams are telling her before it is too late? Or will the darkness consume everything she loves? ~~~~~ With her peasant life stripped away, and a crown thrust upon her, Adella Everheart must face the darkness haunting her at Royal High before it consumes everything she loves. Who would have thought high school could be so easy? |
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Through Blood and Dragons by R.M. Schultz Steeped in blood. Ruled by those with dragons. Cimeren is a world divided by a mysterious forest and the vast Lake on Fire. Suspicion brews on both sides, and the south has fallen into chaos as battles and quarrels rage between kingdoms. In the border outpost of Nevergrace, Cyran Orendain is dealing with the loss of his brother and his lord as he strives to face the mounting challenges of a squire of the dragonguard. But when Cyranâs guard-master is called to face the most powerful of the southern kings and bear witness to a secret stolen from the north, Cyran is dragged into a war that has been bubbling under the surface for centuries. Dragons are not only weaponsâthey are engines of war. And even though Cyran is not trained in the ways of the dragonguard, he must adapt and learn to become one of them or his homeland and all of Cimeren will be destroyed. But he was not born a champion. He may break, and he will bleed. |
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An inner demon. A secret portal. The struggle for survivial may just end them all... For as long as sixteen-year-old Zade can remember, heâs fought against a powerful presence inside him. When heâs in control, heâs able to wield this dark soulâs powers to protect the nearby village. When heâs not, the demonâs thirst for blood canât be controlled.The villagers know thereâs evil lurking outside their borders, but they donât realize itâs not the âdemon ninjaâ they should fearâitâs the monsters he fights against who are trying to find a secret portal hidden within the town.After rescuing a young woman form an attack, the villagers capture Zade and force him to live among them. As Zade struggles to keep his demon at bay, he becomes the villageâs unlikely hero. He must prepare them to fight their greatest battle, all the while waging an internal was that could destroy them all.Daemarkin: Demonâs Vow is the first book in a captivating fantasy series about perceptions, expectations, and one young manâs struggle to find his place in a strange world. If you like magical settings, incredible plot twists, and demon ninjas, then youâll love R.W. Hertâs canât-put-down story. |
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Flight of an Orphan Thief by S. M. Radjy Living on the streets of Thapis, Ayla doesnât know where she really comes fromâand she tells herself she doesnât care. Her only concerns are to survive until the next day and keep her fiery temper in check. When she is framed by a redhead rat-excrement-for-brains who barely even qualifies as her nemesis and gets in trouble with the law, Ayla is given an unexpected second chance as a messenger for the wealthy Hammond merchant family that seems too good to be true. But just as she starts believing in fresh starts, Ayla finds herself ensnared in a cobweb of intrigue between Hammond House and their rival, Rouka House. When she embarks on her most critical mission yet, she is betrayed and caught. Thatâs when her feral nature, so far dormant, emerges. It puts Ayla on the wrong side of history, and she realizes she cannot go back to her old life until she figures out whoâand whatâshe really is. |
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Rumor of Thorns by Sandell Wall Sinister tidings whisper from the deep forest. Promises of pain, and the glint of moonlight on thorns. Something foul stirs in the shadows. An unknown evil stalks the land, and five souls stand unwittingly in its path. Destiny has claimed them, even though they would not choose this battle for themselves. Together, they must stand against the encroaching darkness. In the end, it may claim them all. But here at the start, all they know is a rumor of thorns⌠|
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Lady of Dragons by Shelby Elizabeth You will be bound, dragon and human. Finlay McDonough wants nothing more than to be a Dragon Knight: a warrior bound with a dragon partner, intent on ridding the kingdom of its dragon-killing monarchy. Well, she might want one thing just a bit more ⌠Evander, her childhood friend, now keeper of the dragon sanctuary. Scouting with Evander one day, Finlayâs attempt to save a dragon goes horribly wrong, and she inadvertently ties her fate to the dragonâsâtheir souls bind, lending Finlay powers like those of the Mages the Knights are sworn to destroy. After passing the trial to train as a Knight, Finlay discovers a devastating truth about a beloved dragon. To save them, sheâll need to risk her dream of becoming a true Knight, her chance at a happily-ever-after with Evander . . . and maybe her very identity. Fade-to-black fantasy romance with a fierce heroine, gentle love interest, sassy dragon companion, and more than a dash of adventure awaits. |
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A visionary, genre-bending coming-of-age novel about a group of friends with one thing in common: theyâre shape-shifting monsters. If that wasnât bad enough, they must also navigate the angst of high school, first love, and heartbreak. Matthew Stroud wants nothing more than to live a normal life, but thatâs easier said than done with cat ears on his head and a cat tail attached to his lower back. Only two people know heâs a cat boy: one is his best friend and fellow monster boy, Mark Koenigsegg, and the other is Markâs human mother, Ashley Koenigsegg. Shortly after starting high school, Matthew develops a crush on Emily Thompson, a human who worms her way into his tiny friend group. She quickly senses somethingâs wrong with her new friends, from their secretive behavior to their animallike appearances, especially when they befriend another boy, John Woodcock, who seems oddly unbothered by everything weird about them. As her suspicions deepen, Matthew must do everything in his power to keep Emily off of his scent, even as he continues to fall for her, because everything will fall apart if she learns the truth. |