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Chloeâs Kingdom by Gregory Michael Six Motivated Thieves. One Deadly Heist. Chloe Espinoza is a wild-haired petty thief aboard the Kingdom, a drifting city spaceship. Once rich but now poor, Chloe is determined to break free from the Honeycombs and return to her life in the Gardens. Only one problem: she hardly has enough koin for a burrito, making a lavish apartment seem as distant as the stars. All that might change, however, when Chloe is offered a heist that could make her unimaginably rich. But she canât break into the impenetrable Koin Vault alone⊠A young mastermind who canât let go of her past. A mathematical genius in desperate need of koin. A privileged kid from the Gardens with a debt to pay. A bartender whoâs serving revenge. A mischievous raccoon with a bottomless appetite. A battered soul whoâs been wronged by the council. Gone are the days of stealing snacks. Chloeâs crew is aiming for the ultimate prize: the Koin Vault. Their plan? To rob the Treasury and bring down the corrupt council. But in a game where the stakes are jail or death, every move could be their last. |
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The House For Lost Things by C.G. Drews Stealing houses should be a thing of the past now that Sam and Avery Lou finally have their perfect home. But the De Laineys are being forced to sell the butter-yellow house and their family is crumbling. Sam is haunted by his time at juvie and he feels lost now that Avery doesnât depend solely on him. All he can do is focus on his builder apprenticeship and hurl himself into an extravagant sewing project lead by Moxie to raise money to save the houseâonly Samâs past has come knocking and itâs about to tear apart everything he loves. Learning how to build new houses is one thing, but maybe broken boys canât be rebuilt. |
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Towers of Nine by Alyssa Louttit The Towers of Nine School of Magic Study and Practice is an institution rich with ancient traditions and secrets. Serafina Stewart has grown up on stories of this place, passed to her by her witch mother. Now Serafina is finally old enough to attend. But getting in is the easy part. And Mother's stories never included ghosts or deadly spiders. |
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Wherever the Stars Call by S. Jean Living within the federation isn't all it's cracked up to be, so Laurel and Juniper decide to run away from it. If they can get past Jupiter where the fed's hold isn't as tight, they can figure out what they want to do with their lives on their own terms. Unfortunately, along the way, they find a busted federation ship with a vampire on board who may need their help... or their blood. |
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Who Will Hold the Universe by Kel E Fox The world doesnât have magic⊠but it should. You only get one Year 12 School Ball. For Gabby, thatâs a blessing, for Zenna, itâs a waste, and for Jairo, an ageless god whoâs forgotten who he is, itâs a chance to save the world. Come for a night of mystery, magic and dancing. But be warned: you might not leave with your memories intact. Who Will Hold the Universe is a prequel novella for the epic urban-science-fantasy-turns-queer-magical-space-opera Lightless Prophecy series. |
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The Whisperer in White by Y. R. Liu When the Whisperer speaks, the universe listens. Growing up, Talia had never given much thought to the gray-robed Whisperers and their powers over reality. Their business was protecting the world; hers was hunting in the forest around her village and trying to stay out of trouble. Unfortunately for Tal, one Whisperer in particular becomes her business when she accidentally injures his companion, a talking cat-shaped creature named Morel. As punishment, she becomes the Whispererâs prisoner, whisked away to his island home for a year and a day of servitude. There is much to do â for both the Whisperer and for Tal â as he prepares for the ritual that must be completed every hundred years to ensure the safety of the world. Tal does as she is told; her priority is to simply finish out her sentence and return home to her family. Yet there are many secrets on the island, many oddities, and they tug at Tal like an itch. As the year goes on, she learns more of the Whisperer, his duties, and the horrifying evils that he and the other Whisperers keep at bay. But secrets still remain: a room that is always locked, a stone monument in the woods, crimson flowers whose very name causes the Whisperer to storm away. Unbeknownst to Tal, something is watching her, and what she does now may alter the fate of the world. |
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The Odyllic Stone by Alex Scheuermann When Aster Rutherford, the postmaster's son and his childhood friend, Zinnia Hollyhock deliver a letter to the Pelware Mines, they are attacked by a birdlike monster that turns men to stone. Even worse, Buckwheat Village is plagued by an illness that's incapacitating villagers, including Aster's own father. A chance encounter with Kara Reeves, the brash quartermaster of the Blue Skies, leads Aster to hitch a ride to the capital city in search of a doctor. Aster's quest takes him from the dizzying spires of New Portsmith to the caves of Munayallpa and the forests of Tembour. Along the way Aster reconnects with his estranged mother and comes face-to-face with the god of a foreign land. Can Aster and the crew of the Blue Skies overcome pirates, politics, and monsters to cure Buckwheat Village before it's too late? |
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Black Brilliance by Dr. Joel Anthony Hamilton The unheard ancient Egyptian tale of Aqil, the great musician and scientist. It was luck, or rather, fate that he stumbled upon a cursed microscope; stolen from the god Thoth himself. It gave him the power to see something no man had seen before: DNA. Aqil had the unusual gift of seeing DNA as music, could apply his knowledge of science, and performed miracles by playing his Egyptian ney; miracles that could replicate or even mutate DNA. Whispers spread that he could heal the injured, cause life-threatening afflictions, and cure the sick. Rumors also spread that he could change a frog into a fish and a mouse into a snake. Others say he could turn a human into a demon, or even a god. The truth to the rumors was unknown. However, one thing was certain. Any person who peered into the microscope was placed under a heavy curse. Aqil was often given difficult tasks, having to rely on his mind to keep himself, and others alive. When asked to do the impossible, he had to utilize his brilliance to combine his musical abilities, his knack for science, and the cursed microscope to perform miracles. His story will be heard across the world. However, pray you never hear the distinct melody of his prized instrument, his Egyptian ney, for that would mean one of two things. You could be in earshot of him performing a miracle, or you could be the target. Some have very different perceptions of what a miracle is. |
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Wayward Daughter by Alyssa Frace 17-year-old Genesis Belle would do anything to leave the monster hunting world behindâeven make a deal with one of the worldâs most accomplished hunters: her mother. All she has to do is kill the creature lurking in the shadows of their town before her mom does. If she wins, she can follow her cross-country road trip dreams without slaying monsters on the way, but if she loses, sheâll have to keep working at a hunting outpost masquerading as a dingy diner. Sheâs sure this bet is exactly what she needs to finally be able to do whatever she wants. Thanks to the help of the apothecary-in-training, Red, she assumes winning will be easy enough. Heâll help her with the boring part (researching monsters) and sheâll do the important part (killing monsters). It should be as easy as the pie she serves at the diner, but the further down the rabbit hole she goes, the higher the body count. And sheâs pretty sure her momâs shady monster hunting tactics are to blame. Armed with a broken mermaid artifact, that annoyingly nosy apothecary, and lots of spite, Genesis must traverse the monster hunting world and utilize her skills to win the bet and save the town from the magic lurking in the shadows. |
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2023 Page Turner Book Awards - FINALIST 2023 Wishing Shelf Awards - FINALIST A healer on the run. A rebel knight after her heart. Will she betray him to save the England she loves? Eighteen-year-old healer Aliwyn is consigned to solitude after medical failures leave her alienated from her village. With a rebellion against William the Conqueror rumbling on the horizon, she longs to practice her medicine in peace. But when she agrees to hide an orphaned Norman girl, Aliwyn is plunged into the bloody war over the fate of England â a war sheâs done her best to avoid. A daring escape from enemy arrows entangles her with the young rebel leader, Tobias, and she is swept into a world of rival factions and secret alliances. Faced with the insurgent army, she must make difficult choices about treating those she despises. Worst of all, Tobias's compassionate nature turns her perceptions of the enemy upside down. After she unravels the fiery secret underpinning the rebel army, Aliwyn is challenged to take fate into her own hands and save England from sweeping destruction. Can she find the courage to fight for what she believes? And can she resist the magnetic charms of the man sheâs vowed to defeat? Step into a riveting & magic-free YA fantasy adventure with an authentic historical setting and irresistible slow-burn romance. Set in medieval England rocked by the early introduction of gunpowder and populated by Celtic-inspired tribes, Healerâs Blade is a page-turning read thatâs perfect for fans of alternative history. If you like stories with high stakes, political intrigue, and nail-biting action but prefer them to be free from language and sexual content, grab Healer's Blade today! |
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The Edge of a World by JD Rivers A scholar on a journey. A monster in his veins. An unbending truth. All Otar ever wanted was being part of a community, but the monster in his veins, bent on killing those Otar touches, makes it impossible. It has already slipped his grasp more than onceâwith devastating consequences. His desperate search for a cure for his curse leads him to the Ancients and their mysterious ruins. At a newly discovered ruin, past and present collide, and he finds answers beyond imagination...and perilous danger. Confronted with the truth about his origin, Otar must decide fast what he will sacrifice to save those he holds dear. The Edge of a World is a Fantasy Sci-Fi story about self-discovery, defying destiny, and paving your own path. ---- featuring: fantasy world with an ancient civilization, second third chances at love, a scholar on a journey, queer characters |
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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⊠âŠor 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 warâŠand 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 cafĂ© 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. |
