stories in and

The Godsblood Tragedy

The Godsblood Tragedy by Bill Adams

An orphan, without a trueborn name, returns to the city of her birth to uncover her past. Hounded by the servants of the Dark God and dying from the poisonous mist that covers the land, her path leads to one of the magical seals protecting the holy ruin of Eminence. A father, murdered and reborn, aims to bring down the floating fortress hovering over his homeland. Burdened by loss, he’s willing to sacrifice his soul to free his city and get revenge for the destruction of his family. A mother, captured and bonded to a daemon, kills in the name of the Dark God so she can free her tortured daughter. Relentless in her vengeance, she hunts the one person who could end her suffering: the man who would destroy her vile master. A drake, the banished hatchling of a failed advisor, seeks his father’s stolen horns. Untested, he desires to right his father’s wrongs in the eyes of the gods and restore his family’s honor. As all converge in the occupied desert city where the world’s fuel source is mined, one family’s bond will be tested. Old betrayals will resurface, anger and resentment will flourish, but one thing remains clear: blood rules all.


Somewhere Out There

Somewhere Out There by Caroline Astiago

Benjamin didn't survive the battle of Camlann. Nor did his mentor and best friend Merlin. Nor did King Arthur. The only difference was they died, and Benjamin continued existing, forced to take on their Guardianship of a realm torn apart by war with desperate Gods. But the world didn't end - although it came close a few times. Centuries have slipped by and there hasn't been much need for Benjamin’s skills as a warlock, but at least he's had his magic, Ambrosius, for company. They've done their best to keep the realm safe, but everything changes one Halloween in Oxford when Benjamin meets April, a vampire hunter who isn't quite what she seems. As the universe begins to unravel and the Gods seek to ensure their continued freedom, Benjamin must confront conflicts of morality and his own inner demons to find the truth and save his realm. Rooted in the Arthurian legends and Norse mythology, Somewhere Out There is an enthralling exploration of betrayals, identity, tangled relationships, LGBTQ+ themes, loss and love. With a dash of horror and humour, this adult urban fantasy is as much a psychological journey as a supernatural adventure set in an ever-changing, magic-soaked world.


How to start a demonic cult and get away with it

How to start a demonic cult and get away with it by Devi Letalis

In the gloomy alleyways of an unknown city where supernatural beings cast their shadows, Dante, a mercenary with a mysterious past and a soul touched by darkness, embarks on a dangerous mission. He is tasked with investigating the sudden disappearance of young women and the disturbing rise of the undead in the city. Accompanied by the charming vampire Lariza, whose words are sharper than her fangs, he must confront a bizarre conspiracy that will be a challenge even for their extraordinary powers to unravel. Everything points to the workings of a mysterious cult that is pulling the strings of the city and spinning its sinister plans in the shadows. But as Dante and Lariza follow the twisted paths of the investigation, they come across an even greater treat: a mysterious figure who seems to know more about Lariza than they would have liked. With each step, the between reality and nightmare blurrs, and Dante and Lariza must confront a web of schemes, betrayal and forbidden sorcery. In "How to start a demonic cult and get away with it", the boundaries between right and wrong are put to the test. Can the odd duo once again avert impending disaster and put an end to the machinations of the demonic cult, or will they themselves be devoured by its dark powers?


The Legion of the Lost

The Legion of the Lost by Joseph John Lee

All gods bleed. All gods die. Even those of our own making. The flames of war have left a scar through the Heart of the Land, and its once-pristine landscapes have been stained with divine blood. After a battle that has cast a shadow larger than anything the Tribes have ever seen, who memory permits to endure shall be determined by the hand to pen the tale, and for whom it may be penned: For Kamataa, who continues her centuries-long search for revenge, regardless of the cost. For Tez, who must find her place after being stripped of her greatest talent. For Aritz, who will stop at nothing to complete his conquest, and at any means necessary. And for Sen, who must rise above her gravest mistakes to carve a path for her people. But whether for friend or foe, memory shall ever remain a fickle thing, but it shall not forget the Harvests . . . and the legion who survived them.


The Genesis of Change

The Genesis of Change by Livia J. Elliot

Élan; the chaos-tamer, the record-breaker. Verve; the one behind the rise and fall of thousands of civilisations. Two alchemists, each sent on a mission by the leader of The Orders—The Rector. Élan must shatter their mentee’s humanity to train her as an alchemist, while Verve must define the unexplainable existing within a respected healer. When their missions reveal clues that could reformulate alchemy, they’ll edge closer to fathom The Rector’s goal while facing an endless conundrum—to remain as is, or to learn and adapt. The genesis of change is near.


A Dragon of the Veil

A Dragon of the Veil by Nick Snape

With the realm falling apart, the fate of a people falls upon Laoch and Sura’s shoulders and the Gods’ weapons they now bear ‒ a thousand years of faith and lies reconciled in a single moment of hope and redemption. For Laoch, the Crusades never ended, yet the embittered Ranger finds hope in his love for the dishonoured elven warrior, Sura. Together, they must face a new conflict when a powerful enemy crashes into a Meister’s alchemical experiment, setting off a wave of fear that ripples through the realm. With the secrets of the Gods’ scripture exposed and whispers of an ancient evil’s return, Laoch and Sura are left reeling by the power their enemy wields when an even larger threat rises from the forest depths. One even the Gods’ weapons fear. In a world no longer devoid of magic, a thousand years of secrets and lies spill out, and cracks form in the last bastion against an ancient foe. For cast in iron and spiritfire - here be dragons. “…artfully mixes elements of arcanepunk and high fantasy … this is a riveting start to a new fantasy series from an undeniably skilled storyteller” ★★★★★ SPR editorial review


Die Young

Die Young by Morgan Shank

Magon Dross graduated his mage school, the Tower, with flying colors. Then his old schoolmaster burned his runebook and stole his magic. Now the Tower wants him dead. To spare himself, his family, and his people from danger, Magon must find help and answers. His country is on the brink of war, and a school of rogue mages could topple everything. Powerless and on the run, he'll find help through his childhood friend, his estranged sister, a tribal exile, a violent priest, and the daughter of King Terrus, Freytilia's most hated man. This makes for a precarious alliance, but it must hold. The Tower's pursuit spreads collateral damage, and as war approaches, it grows apparent that if the Tower isn't stopped, every country will fall.


A Trick of the Shade

A Trick of the Shade by Stephanie Caye

You can’t put ‘Just saved the world (you’re welcome)’ on a resume. Ask me how I know. -- Jude’s drifting in Montreal, low on both funds and purpose. Eking out a normal life is surprisingly difficult for someone whose strongest marketable skill is her ability to manipulate gravity. Who knew landing a steady job would be a bigger challenge than hunting supernatural creatures? Then her scant few acquaintances begin turning up dead around the city, their hearts missing. All signs point to a vicious shade—a Faerie cursed to live forever in a ghoulish fate worse than death—as the culprit. But Jude’s never even heard of shades before now, so why do these killings seem designed to bait her? Racing to find the answer and stop the murders brings her to old friends, new enemies and every shifty variation in-between. While risking life and limb battling a sinister Faerie monster may not be ‘normal,’ it’s a routine Jude knows by heart. And it beats working retail.


Demon

Demon by Rob J Hayes

Dien Hostain was never meant to lead. She wasn't meant to survive. Kind of heart and quick in temper, Dien expects to lead a simple life, learning her father's trade. But unbeknown to her, he was not always a carpenter. He's an exile, a traitor once known as the Peace Breaker. When nightmarish demons attack the village of Berrywhistle, her father is murdered. Dien and the survivors are taken as thralls to live out the rest of their days in squaller and back-breaking labour. But Dien's blood boils with the need to escape and take her revenge. They try to break her body. They try to break her spirit. Will Dien take up her father's hammer and unite her people? On wings of vengeance, a Saint shall rise. A new epic fantasy saga full of angels, demons, heroes, and mystery, from award-winning author Rob J. Hayes. Perfect for fans of Brandon Sanderson, John Gwynne, and Ryan Cahill.


Herald

Herald by Rob J Hayes

A thousand years ago, humanity's greatest heroes killed God. Across the land of Helesia, the iron grasp of the Godless Kings is failing. Demons stalk the deep forests, monsters break free of their prisons beneath the World Vein, and terrors of the old world rise again. Deep in the wintry village of Riverden, Renira Washer lives the dreary life of a laundry girl, dreaming of excitement and adventure. But in her blood, hides a secret: the angels are not all gone. When a stranger from her mother's past appears with a dire warning, Renira's peaceful life is shattered and she's thrown headfirst into a millennia old war between Heaven and earth. Only the Herald can ring in the Fifth Age. Only the Herald can bring the God back to life. History is written in blood. The future is forged in holy fire.


Cursed King

Cursed King by Danielle Paquette-Harvey

SPFBO10

"Nothing mattered but the soft, tantalizing beat of the heart in this woman’s 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 world’s fate hangs in the balance as the cursed king confronts his true legacy. 5 Stars Editorial Review by Stephanie Chapman for Readers’ Favorite


The Spark

The Spark by Katrine Buch Mortensen

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"The Spark is a madcap tale of rebellion and getting caught up in forces beyond one's control, set in a truly strange, magical world. I couldn't put it down until it was done." John Bierce, Mage Errant "The Patron Wars utilizes a magic and combat system where clan warriors can harness the attributes of various animals: wolves, bears, vipers, big cats, ravens, and more. The fight scenes are visceral and beastlike; if you've ever wondered how someone imbued with the strength of a full-grown moose would fare in a fight, you'll find your answer here." - Alexander Darwin, The Combat Codes Daina has always dreamed of flight. To soar above her problems, her doubts, and the conflicts of her clan. And here, where shapeshifting is as normal as breathing, flight is indeed possible. Just not to a mix like her, a barely tolerated member of the clan, not belonging to any of the tribes within it. With parents long gone and no friends except for a curmudgeonly old boss, she has little for her except her dream and a burning rivalry with her longtime enemy, Aisma. So when two of the clan’s gods approach her, offering to fulfill her dream, how can she not accept? But there is a price for everything. As civil war besets the clan, and the gods draw up battle lines, the time for dreams and petty rivalry is running out. There is a price for everything, and Daina might have to pay more than she ever imagined.


The Fate of

The Fate of by J.E. Lynn

SPFBO10

Evangeline is a cleric at the Church of Stars - an institution dedicated to healing and taking care of the people of Lovern amid a mysterious plague. After being warned that there is a cult infiltrating her beloved home, she starts her investigation. She aims to uncover the truth of who they are and what they want while maintaining her secretive relationship with her childhood friend. Dianthus, memoryless and with nowhere else to go, has been living with the city's royal family ever since they awoke five months ago, found confused and delirious by the youngest prince. They've become accustomed to the family's lavish lifestyle, ignoring the burden of discovering their past identity in favor of the comfort they offer, but as the days move forward and a courtship with the crown prince begins, they start to find that they can only turn away from themselves for so long. Harr is a wayward assassin who recently joined a strange circle of collaborators pursuing immortality. Haunted by the memories of her past and profession, she works to find the key to living forever while trying not to lose her head in the process. The Fate of is the first novel in a seven book series set in a dark fantasy world with inspiration taken from the cosmic horror and gothic genres. It follows three protagonists as they slowly uncover parts of a larger conspiracy that threatens the peace of their city but none of that will matter if they can't overcome themselves.


Liberation

Liberation by R. M. Krogman

SPFBO10

A prisoner scarred by his past, suffocating in his desert hell. A crown prince bound by his family’s tragedy. A myrprincess stripped of command and promised to a human. All must shed the shackles that bind them, but the darkness of the world is spreading quickly—madness in the streets, a ravaging sickness of the body and mind, and enemies at every border. Those gifted with magic, those bonded to dragons, those with a heart for righting the wrongs in the world must decide how to use their abilities. For with freedom to live comes the freedom to resist, to fight . . . and to kill. Their battles stretch across continents but are more intertwined than they can possibly imagine. Liberation is the first book in The Keepers of Midgate series, an epic fantasy set in a world of powerful elemental magic, sentient but reclusive dragons, and fearsome magical races.


Elemental

Elemental by Tam Chronin

SPFBO10

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.


Hallowed

Hallowed by Y. R. Liu

SPFBO10

Avenel was once a fabled assassin known as the Blade of Elyria. Ever tight-lipped about her past, she retired from a life of death to wander the world alone. Deena is a sheltered teenage girl unaware of her extraordinary heritage. Raised alone by her mother, she has never been far from home. Their paths cross in Deena’s secluded village, when tragedy obliterates Deena’s home and leaves her orphaned. The two begin a journey across the continent, bound together by Avenel’s promise to keep Deena safe. They encounter allies, both new and old: a biological father, a bastard prince and his friends, estranged family, and a physician who claims to be a member of a long-dead race. Each has regrets and painful memories of their own, memories that Deena soon discovers she can relive through dreams. When a prophesied sign of the end of the world appears, their journey becomes about more than just the fate of a single girl, and the secrets between them may be enough to save the world — or end it.


Rumor of Thorns

Rumor of Thorns by Sandell Wall

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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…


Lurid Lantern

Lurid Lantern by Victoria Clapton

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After discovering that all she fights for is a lie, a young commander joins her arch nemesis to defeat her king and save the three realms. Cahya is a commander in the army of Refulgent. Her mission is to defend Hikari, the Light Realm and defeat the Soul Smite army of Kurai, the Dark Realm. Yet, Cahya has a secret, and her world unravels on a chance meeting with the King of Kurai where she discovers a love that may have fractured the realms.


The Outer Darkness

The Outer Darkness by M. V. Prindle

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An ancient and magical wall of Darkness surrounds the Land of Light, ringing the known world. Within it, an ancient evil stirs... The sources of Light have begun to fail. Demons muster at the borders. A horde of the risen dead shamble in from the west. The Fallen gods prepare to invade. Yet hope remains, for a handful of champions stand against the Darkness… Abraxes has forsaken his family fortune to escape his father’s control. When a god employs him to steal a sacred object, will he find the destiny he searches for? Anaya is a monk of the Iron Way. Her temple has been destroyed and her master murdered. Can she fulfill his dying command? Merrick has joined the holy order of the Royal Guard, just like his mother wanted. When he’s called upon to investigate a mysterious massacre, will his faith bear the weight of what he uncovers? Tallyn is one of the most deadly assassins in the world. When fate leads her to an ancient hidden city, will she survive the path the gods have laid for her? The hungry Darkness approaches. In this standalone work of dark fantasy from the author of Bob the Wizard, join the battle against the Fallen gods’ demonic children. And remember: Don’t let the Light go out.


Blood of The Hunted

Blood of The Hunted by Marc R. Micciola

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When things seem their darkest, two heroes decide to rekindle hope by enduring great dangers to their body and soul, all in order to break free of the grip their cruel oppressors have on them. Blood of The Hunted is a tale of a group of rebels made up of mythological races striving to create a world where their people can live equal and free. Weylyn, leader of the rebel group known as The Resistance, his best friend Olwen, and their allies fight for better lives for the Tóråin, but their morale is lower than ever before. Their enemies, which include vile human monarchs, their soldiers, and a masked witch assassin known only as The Dove, continue to tighten their terrible grip on a people they believe are creatures born of a godly evil. After a desperate move to form an alliance with a neighboring nation that has worked towards equality between Tóråin and humans, The Resistance begins to gain traction for the first time. Weylyn, Olwen, and their allies look to spread their rebellion from their country to four others, hoping to weaken them before an all out war is waged to liberate the Tóråin who live there. What follows is a precarious storm full of horrifying violence, impressive resilience, fierce loyalty, and inspiring comradery that will have you jumping back and forth from tears to smiles from chapter to chapter. Blood of The Hunted is a book ripe with emotion, action, diversity, and intensity that strives to show the strength of marginalized communities, as well as the horrors of heavy subjugation and oppression. The story features heartwarming moments as well as gut-wrenching ones. It is a darker tale than most, but it only accentuates the lighter moments throughout the story. At its core, Blood of The Hunted is a story about resilience, family, and the will to see a better world for everyone living in it, no matter where they come from or what they look like.


The Wind at Oak Hollow

The Wind at Oak Hollow by Melissa Widmaier

SPFBO10

2nd Place Winner in the 2023 Firebird Book Awards for Dark Fantasy Families can be complicated, especially when the fate of the kingdom rests on yours. Marl Ganwin is more than just a mischief-maker. He's a pain in the ass--the Wind spirit's favorite youth. The Village of Na-ir tolerates his antics, giving him free rein to ramble and rumble. But things take an unexpected turn when Wind forces him to accept an unfathomable fate. Can Marl's family and the entire village survive the implosion of his gifts? Or will his choices send their peaceful world order into a whirlwind? What will he lose when he accepts his power? The first installment of the Realm of Light series!


A Song to Wake a Thousand Sorrows

A Song to Wake a Thousand Sorrows by Michelle Manus

SPFBO10

A woman with unimaginable power. A king hellbent on ruling the world. An ancient force that could mean salvation or destruction.

The survivor of a brutal childhood, Clare Brighton craves the kind of wealth and notoriety that will mean the horrors of her past can never again touch her. With nothing but a battered guitar and a Songweaver’s talent, she comes to the capital of the Faelhorn Provinces, determined to gain her place. But there is another, more dangerous power that dwells within Clare. An entity she calls the Song, it is ancient and fathomless…and no longer content to be held in the cage she has trapped it in. It is a power the ruthless Jackal King has long been searching for, and should he discover she possesses it, the cost will be far greater than her life. Clare has sworn that she will never again let anyone control her. But escaping the Jackal King’s notice will require the one thing she never wanted to need: help. It will come first from the two lords who have taken her under their wing. Next from the second prince of Faelhorn, who Clare alone knows is not what he seems. And finally, from the Song itself. The Song has the strength to save her—if it doesn’t destroy her first.


After Silence

After Silence by Natalie Northwood

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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 isn’t 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 Norandia’s 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 can’t 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 lose—and love is everything.


Thornbane the Lost

Thornbane the Lost by Paul Sating

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A kingdom plunged into chaos. A woman branded a demon. A power she didn't choose becomes her only hope. On the morning of the bell tolls, Cynn Jade wakes to find her world shattered. The baron and his wife, murdered. Hexed by powers she doesn't understand, Cynn is forced to flee all she knows. Hexed by enigmatic powers, she becomes a demon, an outcast shunned by the very world she could save. Changing her name to protect the family line will only go so far as she discovers the true depth of the war she’s fighting. Lost in a world she can no longer call her own, she must rely on the kindness of strangers. A ranger, who knows more of her story than he’s sharing. A goblin, exiled by her own kind who must do the last thing she wants to do to keep Thornbane alive. A mage with an unsavory reputation for pushing magic too far. Haunted by a demon's shadow and ostracized by her people, Cynn is an exiled heir. If she embraces her cursed transformation, she can unlock a powerful hidden magic. But will doing so save the barony or consume her soul? To regain not only her throne but also save her people, Cynn must find a cure to the curse. Her quest leads her down a perilous path, forcing her to face a magic far older and wilder than she ever imagined. As the shadows deepen, the question lingers—will this newfound power save her or become the instrument of her destruction?


However Many Must Die

However Many Must Die by Phil Williams

SPFBO10

Wild Wish was trained to do one thing: kill. Saved from a lonely backwater existence by a global war, Wish couldn't believe her luck when she got into the Blood Scouts. Now she gets to share tents with an all-female platoon of night-stalking, giant-slaying, boat-sinking, battle-swaying legends in the making. The problem is, they keep dying. And they've been given their worst assignment yet. The enemy Dread Corps are combining magics deep within the nightmare lands of Low Slane, to unleash a weapon that could sway the entire war. It's up to the Blood Scouts to stop them – with a journey that gets more dangerous with every step. Far behind enemy lines, death hangs in the air. Monsters lurk around every corner. Are Wish's skills – and positive attitude – enough to keep her Blood Scouts alive? Or will the cost of survival finally break her? Get ready for the first epic entry in a new series, and a new world, of dark military fantasy from Phil Williams. Start reading today!


Heir of Amber and Fire

Heir of Amber and Fire by Rachanee Lumayno

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They're only huge, scary, fire breathing creatures. Seriously, is that any reason to be afraid of a dragon? When my father the king announced my upcoming political wedding, it uncovered family secrets I never knew existed and forced me to go on the run. Now I, Princess Jennica of Calia, am not only trying to escape my arranged marriage, but am hoping to figure out the truth of my heritage. Because my dear father may not be what he seems. To learn the mysteries of my past, I'll have to team up with a group of ragtag mercenaries. Including a handsome dragon Seeker whose surliness can't stop me from being drawn to him despite myself. They're taking me to the dragon who once kidnapped my mother, and who hopefully has the answers I seek. Because I'm running out of time to save my kingdom. And in order to save my kingdom, I might have to betray my new friends. Journey to the Gifted Lands, a fantasy world of seven kingdoms, each known for their own unique power or ability. Heir of Amber and Fire is the first book in the Kingdom Legacy series set in this magical world.


Fragments of Skyonae

Fragments of Skyonae by Raleigh Markovski Falcone

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Commander Ryoko Hyakutake earned it. Her new title, honor, and the respect of the Skyonian Imperial Military. But she'd throw her reputation away in an instant to bring back those she lost. Crippled with survivor's guilt, she, along with the rest of the military, search for the remains of a sacred sword across the war rotted ruins of Macloc to strike back against the god Xilmire and the Corruption: a curse that morphs Skyonians into malformed beasts. When Ryoko becomes the first person to slip free from Xilmire's grasp, she uncovers both a conspiracy against her within the ranks of the military and the horrifying secrets of the god's curse. Each new revelation about the curse could put her life further in peril. But there is a chance those secrets could save her people. Will she uncover the curse's secrets in time to save everyone? Will she save herself? Or will the Skyonian Imperial Military destroy itself?


Born of Scourge

Born of Scourge by S. Jean

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Legends say when the skies grow dark and scourge starves the land, a star will fall in order to save humanity. Only when the star is sacrificed at the end of their journey will light return. It's a cycle—one humanity refuses to break because stars are plentiful and their sacrifices easier than learning the true nature of the scourge. When Sol finally falls, it's not because of humanity. It's because he's had enough of watching his brethren be sacrificed. He has one goal: end humanity and end the cycle. Unfortunately, he has to pretend he cares before humans get wise. It doesn't matter how soft the princess who catches him is—Celena will be dead by the time his journey ends. Nor how kind his assigned companions are—the outgoing Mira with her ballads, the brave Nebora with her axe, and the hero Loren with his soft voice and friendly smile. For centuries, humanity has lied and their kindness is a ruse to bring about Sol's own destruction at the end of his tale. He will not be fooled. No one cares about the cries of the stars they've destroyed over and over again and Sol will make sure this time, humanity is the one sacrificed. At least, that's the plan until his traitorous heart begins to care for the humans he sought to eradicate.


The Afterlife Experiment

The Afterlife Experiment by Sam Weiss

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Previously published as Cynosura 99 by Sam Weiss. “The night the moon bleeds is the night the world will end. There’s death in the moon. And the moon is you.” Atra Hart has spent the last seven years locked away in Vanishing Plains Psychiatric Hospital. In that time, her shadow has transformed into its own entity and is growing stronger by the day, threatening to devour her mind. She calls that shadow Dread, and only her missing father knows what it is. When a fire breaks out at the asylum, Atra makes her way to freedom just in time to see an electric-purple rift sunder the sky. Like Dread, the rift is only visible to her. Atra’s already loose grip on reality unravels when she learns the rift is a gateway to the world of the dead. And the Queen, an ancient evil lurking on its fringes, wants Dread for her own. Even worse, Atra can’t tell if any of this is really happening. She might have escaped one asylum, but the closer she gets to unearthing answers about Dread, why her father knows it’s there, and its role in the Queen’s plans, the more she risks getting trapped inside her own mind forever. Maybe some truths are meant to stay buried.


Millennium of the Ocean Serpent

Millennium of the Ocean Serpent by Seth Hobbs

SPFBO10

You know the story of the Sendyne Empire Trilogy. Now witness the breathtaking, meteoric rise of the legendary Kezz’arg Dynasty, and the world that knew their name well. In the vein of LOTR, Game of Thrones, or Star Wars, Part 1 of this 1,000 year history of an alternate universe comes to life, in a sprawling adventure of epic proportions! A millennium before the death of Kwisus Kezz’arg, our tale begins, just 50 years after the Great Adversity, a cataclysmic climate disaster that largely destroyed the corrupt Vannunkye in physical form, and freed humanity from the dark gods that once played with them as toys. When a mysterious and disfigured young man washes up on the shores of Upper Sendya, under bizarre circumstances, he changes the fate of the world forever. Kalligus happens to fulfill an obscure prophecy from the followers of Heaven’s Ocean and the Ocean Serpent religion, making him both a legend and a target of powerful tribes. His confidence only grows stronger, as his cunning wiles and ambition take him to heights undreamed of. First, he must overthrow the ruling class of Sendovians, but his greatest enemies may dwell in his own heart–and his own court. On other islands and continents, the rest of the world rebuilds in their own chosen images. In the Northeast, the Colders worship Absttathon, the rugged blizzard god, and they see Blizzard’s Zenith as the point where life begins. They inhabit a dangerous realm, but it forges the hardest of men. Vinn Sleethammer rules with a cold but pragmatic heart and two good swords, but numerous factions are pushing into the milder lands nearby. The War of Many is about to consume everyone in the East. The aftermath will alter many fates, including those in the West. Delve into the rich, enthralling history of this universe, and learn the esoteric origins of your favorite families and characters in this first entry to the prequel trilogy. A few secretive, fuming Vannunkye remain in this world, and they wish to return to their place as the overlords of mankind. Many audacious humans believe they can harness such power for their own ends, but conjuring the Vannunkye is like trying to pet a porcupine…and conjuring the dark lord, Lyawaath, is deadlier still. A legendary chronicle of the mythic origins, wars, religions, nations, empires, and politicians that paved the way for General Voxinus’s triumph in 967 A.G.A., an old sage recounts a brief history of this world. We kindly invite you to explore this dark and exciting period–the Millennium of the Ocean Serpent…


The Desert Heiress

The Desert Heiress by Shoshana Rain

SPFBO10

Nothing will stop Lis from regaining her family's power—not even the three tempting men standing in her way. In the desert port of Cenefra, the Sun Rose is life blood. A magic plant with the ability to grant people greater abilities. Sale of the plant is strictly forbidden, its growth restricted only to farms owned by the Empire's shipping company. Liseya Moroeste has only ever wanted one thing: to run the syndicate smuggling it. But her family has been cut off for over a century, forced to advise but never lead. When the government cracks down on all illegal export, Lis is ready to seize her chance. To do so, she must best her three rivals. Filip, Deo and Adrian each want to court her, control her, cajole her into doing what they want. Liseya finds herself drawn into their complicated web, but to survive, she must learn if she can trust them, or if she must cut them down before they can do the same to her. The Desert Heiress is the first book in The Seven Star Empire Series. It is a slow burn, MMMF why choose, second world fantasy with steamy scenes and a guaranteed HEA at the end of the series. It contains both MM and FF scenes, and involves the FMC in a relationship before getting involved with her main love interests.


The Grand Game

The Grand Game by Tom Elliot

SPFBO10

One man. Assassin. Caster. A new world. And a Game that is as brutal as it is complex. Michael finds himself in the realm of the Forever Kingdom, with no memory of how he got there and who he is. Even so, he must participate in the Grand Game and forge a new destiny for himself. Dropped into a dungeon of monsters, and strange magics, would you survive in a Game where to lose means death? Alone, and with little more than his wits to aid him, Michael must advance as a player, slay his foes, and gain experience. All while navigating the intrigues around him and discovering his purpose. A world of Powers, Forces, and mysterious factions. A Game with endless opportunities for advancement and power. Join Michael on his epic adventure as he deals with the Game’s challenges, the machinations of the Powers, and the ambitions of his fellow players. The start of an exciting new portal fantasy epic!


The Vermilion Ribbon

The Vermilion Ribbon by Hayley Price

SPFBO10

Hayley Price's debut novel, The Vermilion Ribbon is a pulsating mix of fantasy, romance and adventure. Corelle's journey from innocence to cold-hearted killer leaves a trail of bodies from one end of Dur to the other. With her enemies in relentless pursuit and another woman's life in her hands, Corelle cannot relax for a heartbeat. Despair and vengeance compete for her attention as death dogs her footsteps, leading to a thrilling climax that will leave you breathless.


The First Scars

The First Scars by Ivor K. Hill

SPFBO10

"A most enjoyable fantasy adventure ... Dark but fun." (Jon Oliver, proof reader of Way of Kings and Rhythm of War.)

Before resurrection, there must be death.

The immortal Branded are needed once more; the Druidic Curse has returned to the Fatherland, and an entire city has fallen. The Great One calls for aid, and the devout and the desperate come in droves to sear their skin with His mark. Niko Puchev, reeling from his banishment from the Old Magic Inquest, seeks to prove his detractors wrong, and can see no better path than to take the brand. But Tasha Zolanova volunteers with a single question on her lips; can the Cursed be saved? To end the nightmare, Niko, Tasha and the other Branded must destroy the source. They will scour the bloody, hate-ridden streets of Ranitsa City, their every step stalked by the ravening Cursed. And they will die, over and over, only to wake once more, clinging to their swords and the tatters of their wills. But the truth lurking behind the Curse will tear them from their souls.

Drenai Saga and Malazan meet Elden Ring and Bloodborne.


Dango

Dango by Jack Long

SPFBO10

Dango, a retired half-elf army scout, sets out with his friends to start a quiet new life on The Dark Frontier. Maybe raise some tuskers, no more fighting. But fate has other plans. Kidnapped by savage elves Dango must fight for survival, but escape is just the beginning of his trials as he finds himself embroiled in a struggle for dominance of the territory with the vicious Gradokk Gang. Join Dango and his friends as they fight corrupt ranchers, murderous elves, and the mountains themselves. Welcome to gritty and visceral chases, murders, pit fights, betrayals, battles, and redemption on The Dark Frontier with this volume of The Dark Frontier Adventures - DANGO!


Princess of the Broken

Princess of the Broken by Jasmine K Swinburne

SPFBO10

Princess Raylin has spent the best part of fourteen years isolated and alone, locked inside a tower, told it was for her own good—her own protection. Darkness writhes inside her, an endless battle against the light powers of her kingdom. A child born with the never wavering magic of the sun and the moon—the first in 300 years. There are those that would hunt her for her gifts, destroy her without hesitation. But that is the last thing on her mind when she flees her stone prison. Thievery has become second nature, but after being caught inside the palace gates, Raylin is given a choice, a chance at a new path. There’s just one catch, she must live among the royals of Sorrelle and play the part of another princess entirely. When her protector uncovers her secret escape, she gives Raylin a new task—find her long-lost heirloom; a pendant made of the blackest obsidian. With that, Raylin can do what she has always longed for—go home, and reunite with her family at last. Deception is a dangerous game, and around her, secrets and lies burn to ash. No one can be trusted, not even herself. As her powers come to blows, Raylin finds herself wrapped in the hateful fist of revenge.


Shadow of the Soul Blade

Shadow of the Soul Blade by Jay Roland

SPFBO10

If you’re looking for an Epic Dark Adventure filled with magic and mystery, embark on a thrilling journey through the perilous world of Ashana. Join Bastian, a feral warrior, Xander, a gifted mage, Kumori, a stealthy rogue, and Reinhardt, a master swordsman, as they overcome personal differences and cunning foes in their quest to save themselves, and Ashana herself. Accompany these unlikely heroes, as they engage in epic duels and wield awe inspiring magic in the face of overwhelming odds. Order your copy today, to unravel the mystery of the Soul Blade, and uncover the true source of evil threatening this majestic world.


Dawn of the Darkest Day

Dawn of the Darkest Day by K.C. Woodruff

SPFBO10

An artist plagued by a violent past. An heir destined never to take her own throne. A tyrant bound to life, consumed by his bloody trail.
Dawn breaks over a dying land. Ever since surviving the bloody coup that cost Ara her home and Stedd his family, they’ve found solace in each other’s arms, dreaming of a life where Ara can cultivate her gardening and engineering talents while Stedd flourishes in his art. But the old magic that once held Evenia together has long faded, and when King Vayne Savant learns of Ara’s godly heritage and royal bloodline, she turns from a budding engineer into a reluctant bride, and a pawn in his cunning plan to dominate the continent amid its technological collapse. Desperate to escape her husband’s bloodstained grasp, Ara strikes a dark deal with the king: a child—the heir to two thrones—in exchange for her freedom. Her plan should have been simple, but in between sieges, squabbling, and sessions of pleasure are nights spent waking to assassins’ blades at her throat and the threat of sinister societies formidable enough to outsmart even Savant’s cunning. Unwilling to lose Ara, Stedd sets down his paintbrush and picks up a blade, entering a war he doesn’t understand. But the line between love and hatred is a thin one, and Stedd soon finds himself torn between rescuing the love of his life or pursuing revenge on the man who destroyed it. The fate of the continent lies in the hands of a ruthless conqueror and a pacifistic queen, their destinies far more than they understand. If they can find common ground, Evenia may be saved. But the obstacles that lie in their wake are more than they can anticipate, and the consequences for failure greater than they could imagine.


The Handwarmers of Immortality

The Handwarmers of Immortality by Karen McCompostine

SPFBO10

“Nae woman isna as deadly with a blade” Set in the 16th Century, the 20th Century and some other centuries as well, this daring fusion of epic fantasy, grim dark realisticness, historical inaccuracy, heartwarming romance and illogical magic tale will take you, the reader, on a thrilling journey as the powers of good and evil do epic battle though those centuries. This is not a boring story, though, because it has been expertly (I underline this word for emphasis) edited. (Which means it’s shorter than all the centuries involved.) Within these pages of this book you will follow the adventures of our plucky and limber, greatly emancipated Highland heroine, Connie McSplunge. Connie believes her life as a Highland warrior is her life, yet fickle fate has other ideas and soon young Connie’s life will be turned upside down. And stretched. Will good triumph over evil and will Connie’s aching heart find solace in the arms of a fitness instructor? Find out all this, and much more, besides in The Handwarmers of Immortality!


Splitting Dawn

Splitting Dawn by Katherine D. Graham

SPFBO10

Envied by Her Enemies, Loathed by Her Loved Ones, Frantically Seeking Freedom for Herself... A Reluctant Royal... Princess Kierra never wanted to rule. Inheriting a doomed kingdom besieged by Demons holds no charm for her. Nor does the arranged marriage her mother has set in place to shackle her to the throne. All she longs for is freedom... and something she's forgotten that waits beyond the safety of the castle walls. Enemies, or Lovers? Running away from home on the eve of her wedding feels like the best decision Kierra has ever made. Until she lands in Demon King Draco's all-too-eager arms. The hated nemesis of her people, and reason behind the death of so many loved ones, awakens something dark in Kierra's mind, heart, and soul. Is she who she thinks she is? Is he truly her enemy at all? Salvation, or Damnation? In the midst of a world veiled by secrets and deceit, Kierra must navigate between Humans, Demons, Vampire-Elves, Oracles, and even gods and goddesses, if she is to survive. When all roads lead home in the end, though, she is forced to face the one decision she dreads most: Which path will save her? And does she even want to be saved? Be swept away in the shadows of forbidden love, adventure, and sacrifice in USA Today Bestselling Author Katherine D. Graham's newest dark fantasy romance novel.


The Light Must Hold

The Light Must Hold by Kriss Gallom

SPFBO10

In a world without stars, divine crystals shield the folk of Esiaga from fiends that prowl the darkness. When Lior, a priest who communes with the crystals, prays to the deities and asks for their guidance, he is met only with silence. Guidance is something he yearns for as he watches his convent brothers either fall to creatures that lurk in the shadows or lose their minds trying to harness the power of the crystals’ light. That is, at least, until travelers arrive on behalf of the Queen. Sworn to come to their kingdom’s aid in times of need, Lior and his convent brothers must make the hazardous pilgrimage to the capital, Bangol. The guidance Lior has always sought comes in the form of Elouan, the paladin sworn to guide the convent’s caravan. Where Elouan leads Lior, however, deviates from the known path. The Light Must Hold — a classic dark fantasy adventure that combines fanciful prose and sisyphean struggles.


Temper the Dark

Temper the Dark by L Ryan Storms

SPFBO10

Servant girl Alaris Kahlanik finds out about her family's gift the hard way when she discovers her ability to dreamwalk after being condemned to the Cells. With thoughts of escape, she uses her newfound ability to spy on the emperor and his secret search for something important. Nothing the emperor wants could possibly be good for the people he rules, and so whatever the emperor is looking for, Alaris must find first. Throlani Guardsman Kagan Liis has served the Empire since Emperor Patuk's reign began eight years ago. He can also communicate with a vicious oracle referred to only as the Darkness. When the Darkness tasks Kagan with investigating the Servant girl in the Cells, Kagan takes on a special mission that will require more than his usual interrogation methods of brute strength and intimidation. From vastly different echelons of the same tribal society, Alaris and Kagan are surprised to learn they share one important goal - ensuring the best for the people of their island nation. Alaris discovers what the emperor is looking for - a dragon! But warning a senile dragon against impending danger is no easy task. Together, Alaris and Kagan must save a forgetful dragon and a divided nation...which may mean giving up any hope of saving themselves.


Clysm Games: Dark Seeds

Clysm Games: Dark Seeds by Dom Sabasti

SPFBO10

[must be read in *movie guy* voice] In the wake of an arcane cataclysm, in a storm of lust and deceit, swirling in shadows of ancient magic, a brilliant light shines, eager to breed.


Smoker on the Porch

Smoker on the Porch by Dom Watson

SPFBO10

1989. Suffolk, England All the children saw it. Out there, in the night-time swirl of dreamy sleep. The House of Sweet Things. It promised full bellies forever. On the periphery of childhood to adolescence, Jake and his friends wonder where their lives are heading. An accidental encounter with Francis William Biggot propels them into a battle for their souls. Not just their own, but those of the whole world. Jake will face a choice and a journey like no other. Be at Biggot's side and have the power of a god, or be a boy.


The First Assignment

The First Assignment by Billy Kramer

SPFBO10

Dead. Seventeen-year-old Shawn Turner no longer belongs to the world of the living. Armed without a heartbeat, he starts his afterlife as a reaper. After being given the name of a person destined to die in the next seven days, he must go out and collect their soul. As Shawn separates himself from the living and moves below ground, he attends Wayward Academy which teaches him the training and traditions all first-year reapers need to know to perform their duty. The only thing is, Shawn isn't sure he can handle this new responsibility. Dying at seventeen, Shawn never got to make the impact he wanted. So, when an opportunity arises, he has a choice to make. Does Shawn stay in his lane as a reaper, or go out of his way to make a difference?


Forged By Pain

Forged By Pain by Bojan Bilos

SPFBO10

"Forged by Pain" is a gripping tale that follows Princess Amelia, a good-natured and slightly mischievous girl whose life takes a turn at fourteen. In a ruthless coup orchestrated by Duke Nicholas, she loses her parents and freedom, becoming trapped and tortured within the infamous Black Tower for four harrowing years. Though her mind shatters under the torment, her indomitable spirit remains unbroken. With the unexpected aid of a crippled Inquisitor named Pretty and his loyal, mute servant Victor, Princess Amelia manages to escape her agonizing captivity. Transformed into a vengeful monster by the horrors she endured, she sets her twisted plans into motion, directing her anger towards Duke Nicholas's relatives and loved ones, determined to make him suffer as he did her. And as her sinister machinations unfold, a war looms on the horizon, engulfing the three kingdoms in turmoil.


The Faithful Dark

The Faithful Dark by Cate Baumer

SPFBO10

A gothic fantasy for fans of Hannah Whitten and Caitlin Starling. In a holy city where sins and blessings can be revealed through consecrated touch, Csilla - born without a soul - is worthless to the Church that raised her. But when a series of murders corrodes the magic that keeps the city safe, the Church elders see a use for her flaw: she can assassinate their prime suspect, a heretic with divine heritage. The heretic, however makes a counter-offer; clear his name and catch the real killer, without becoming a target herself, and he has the power to get her soul. When their investigation catches the attention of Ilan, a ruthless Inquisitor demoted for his failure to solve the case, he reluctantly offers his help in order to earn back his position. He’ll bring in the murderer— and failing that, Csilla and the heretic. But as the death toll rises and their hunt pits them against the Faith, Csilla will find that salvation comes at the cost of everything she believes in.


A Conduit of Light

A Conduit of Light by Chelsey Ann Tompkins

SPFBO10

He has the cure. She is the payment. Forced from her home to train as a conduit in Felgren Forest, Ash'Arah is faced with accepting her new life or boldly denying any evidence that her magic is exponentially powerful. But when a closely guarded secret is revealed, she cannot deny her role as the forest's savior any longer, nor her newly ignited passion for the charming Baron Revich. Karus is a woman who wanders the forest with her faerie friend until the day she discovers a stone embedded in a dead tree. While she holds it, painful memories begin to return. Through these glimpses of her past, she will no longer wonder at who she is, who she loves, and who she is destined to become. This is a multiple POV romantic fantasy with enchanting magic and very little violence. It has dark, yet cozy vibes and the many twists and turns will keep you guessing to the end.


Black and Deep Desires

Black and Deep Desires by Claire Trella Hill

SPFBO10

Is the vampire in Ophelia’s cellar a man she can save, or a monster out for blood? From an early age, Ophelia learned to keep her pets away from her unfeeling scientist father or they would disappear into his laboratory, never to be seen again. When her father unexpectedly returns to their isolated Yorkshire estate with a mysterious box, Ophelia’s suspicions are aroused…but nothing prepares her for the bloody business she finds. Caged in silver and hungry, Salem is out for blood. Someone has betrayed knowledge of vampire existence to humans—but before Salem can discover who, he must escape diabolical experiments seeking the source of immortality. He cannot afford to trust the frustratingly intriguing girl who says she wants to help and smells of orange blossoms. He especially cannot wonder how she would taste. Even though the darkly mysterious Salem insists he has no soul, that he’s dangerous, Ophelia can’t leave him to be tortured. But to help him escape, she must risk her family’s wrath—which may be a bigger threat than the monster in the cell. The supernatural bleeds into Victorian England in this captivating YA gothic paranormal romance novel, perfect for fans of Lakesedge, Down Comes the Night, Erin A. Craig, and anyone who longs to run across a dark windswept moor in a nightgown.


Iridesce

Iridesce by Cordia Pearson

SPFBO10

Two fathers, two countries and no place to call home. When your skin’s the wrong color, and eyes a hated shade of blue, life is one wretched battle after another. All that’s kept me alive is the birthmark for which I was abandoned the night of my birth. A Luna moth, symbol of the Mother Goddess, with a terrifying potential for magic.

I worship the fierce warrior who found, then named me Thea. In a moon, I turn seventeen and will join his forces if he deems me worthy. Service alone will grant me citizenship, and deflect the hate heaped upon me daily. Yet I’m troubled by our mission to deny my desert people access to this country’s many resources.

A warrior mage I’ve never trusted swears we’ve known each other in many lifetimes. He sees a different path for me—one in which I embrace the mystical destiny my birthmark portends.

Faced by this alarming possibility, I ask: can I kill my own kind? Or will this mage, to whom I’m inexplicably drawn, convince me to give up a life of honor, for one of magic?

Be swept away by this captivating adventure of love, honor, bias, and destiny.


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