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The Light Must Hold by Kriss Gallom 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. |
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Temper the Dark by L Ryan Storms 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. |
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Clysm Games: Dark Seeds by Dom Sabasti [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. |
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Smoker on the Porch by Dom Watson 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. |
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The First Assignment by Billy Kramer 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? |
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"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. |
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The Faithful Dark by Cate Baumer 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. |
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A Conduit of Light by Chelsey Ann Tompkins 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. |
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Black and Deep Desires by Claire Trella Hill 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. |
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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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Lizardskin and Sharpened Steel by Damien Larkin Death stalks the jungles of the landmass, on two legs and four. On an isolated continent where dinosaurs still roam, the Dead Mudder legion must embark on a perilous mission to steal great-lizard eggs for use in war. Led by Captain Dustn, alongside the fierce Cohort Sergeant Ullndu and enigmatic tracker Boy, they navigate treacherous terrain and cunning predators. As the Dead Mudders delve deeper into unexplored territory, mysterious forces emerge, hinting at secrets untold. With alliances tested and dangers lurking, every step could be their last. In a bid to succeed, they face ancient beasts and traverse the blurred lines between friend and foe. In this unforgiving land, mastery of lizard skin and sharpened steel determines survival. |
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Moonshadow's Guardian by Dianna Gunn All Riana has ever wanted is freedom. Unfortunately, that’s the one thing her kind cannot have. Bound by the curse in her demonic blood for millennia, Riana has tried several times to bend the rules and live out her life in the mortal realm. Now her consistent rule breaking has drawn the attention of Loki, God of Mischief, the main tormentor of Riana’s kind. But instead of punishing her, he offers her the escape she has always desired. All she has to do is save the kingdom of Moonshadow from a mysterious magical plague. Armed only with the inherent power of her own blood and Loki’s pet dragon, Riana is determined to fight for the right to create her own destiny. However, when her mission forces her to destroy the last remnants of an ancient culture, Riana must ask – what is freedom really worth? Moonshadow’s Guardian is a tale about the meaning of belonging, and the struggle to create a future not defined by your past. |
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The Plagued Elf by Armanis Ar-feinial In a race against time, Quarala battles against the unknown, desperately striving to save the life of Anaergienne, Malitu's hunter. Armed with her vast knowledge and unwavering determination, she must unravel the mysteries of a disease that has eluded even the most skilled healers. Will she succeed in her quest to find a cure and restore him? Dive into this gripping tale of magic, courage, and sacrifice, and prepare to be spellbound. |
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This is the story of how monsters saved their corner of the world. Whether they deserved to be saved is another story. For years, High Seer Aurienne has lived with a single haunting truth-her visions will not save her people from the prophesied apocalyptic war that's always haunted her nightmares. That all changes the day blacksmith Theo saves her life. She foresees Theo's destiny to gather the continent's five warring nations to stand against the invading forces. Suffering the soul-rending consequences of spirit necromancy, Aurienne finds herself fighting to survive a deadly web of assassination attempts, mind-shattering visions, and ruinous betrayal. Theo cannot refuse when Aurienne asks for his help to save their people. He travels the length of the continent facing timeworn superstitions coming to life as he asks neighboring nations to join their cause. Refusing to let down the woman he's falling in love with-even though the fates whisper she will never love him back-he assembles an army of rebels fighting to retain their humanity as the corrupted magic of the land transforms them into the monsters of legend. Saving the world does not come without cost. Standing against the conquering emperor, backed by his bloodthirsty goddess and moon-cursed army, Aurienne and Theo must decide whether to unleash forces more monstrous than the enemy they're fighting against. |
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Woe to the Stargazers by Alex Shipper Heroes strive to end the world. Villains fight to save it. Kelydy just wants to go home. But it's too late. He’s been sucked into this backwards debate with no way out, forced to choose. Either preserve his spoiled, rotting reality or obliterate it forever. Either side with the selfish, narrow-minded saviors, or join the misguided bringers of doom. Saints clash over holy ground. Cults squabble and scheme in secret. Divine weapons are forged and shattered until the morality of creation itself is brought into question. Why begin if the end is inevitable? Why live, only then to die? Kelydy doesn’t know. Kelydy just wants to go home. But he must make a decision. Which side would you choose? Woe to the Stargazers is a standalone tragic fantasy set in a world filled with mythos and mystery. Explore new societies and cultures as they each wrestle with their own inevitable end in unique, gut-wrenching ways. |
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The Bloods of a Withering Kingdom by Corey Ratliff Bör Mesari burns. Velensmir is on the brink of war with Grayhorn. The dwarves return to the light. The druidic Gods are on the move. And the Ashen Empire has risen. Aric and Eldras reunite to find themselves thrust under the shadow of prophecy and a choice that will change the world forever. One path will see them in someone else's shackles, while the other is painted in secrets and lies. Moro and Trenara prepare to part ways as he discovers the mistake he made that will bathe the lands in blood. His powers grow and he begins to hear a voice bound to his fate and soul. In the south, Donalis discovers the dark plans of the High King to rewrite the map of Verilia as three cities collide. Now, he must make the choice to remain loyal to his king, or hold onto his morals. Death will meet Life as unforeseen enemies are revealed. Old foes reemerge. Alliances form in the most unlikely. When the rise of the Shadow bond threatens every faction, can heroes prevail where all else have failed before? |
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Abandoned by the Gods by Ronit J Welcome to Adeva... A land abandoned by the Gods themselves. The mortals that were left behind built a rich thousand-year history full of legendary exploits. But history doesn’t remember everyone. Written by the victors, written for them, history has a bad habit of neglecting many. This collection features four tales of those hapless souls that history forgot. A girl sold into divine servitude who would threaten to change the face of Adeva's history, a noble forced into dacoity fuelled by vengeance, a princess in forbidden love compelled to make an impossible choice, and an ordinary woman fighting to survive through a mad god-king's reign, this collection is an attempt to honour their humanity, to celebrate those who dared to defy norms, dared to thrive despite fate being against them. Welcome to Adeva. Your faith will not protect you. ——————————————————————————————————————— The stories: * Servant of God: Sold into bonded slavery to a temple, Jagadasi discovers that not everything is as pure as she had believed. She turns to her God for a way to cleanse the temple, but the solution she receives is bloody, with the potential to change the face of Adeva’s history. * The Princess Who Loved Her Maid: Princess Ilava is deeply in love with her maid, Raci. When her father arranges her marriage with Emperor Mahamara, Ilava is forced to choose between losing Raci, or antagonising an avatar of God. * Dacoit, Son of a Noble: Bhola’s rich life is uprooted when King Ananda’s conquering forces usurp his domain and kill his father. Forced into a life of dacoity, Bhola’s life is fueled with a singular motive: Kill King Ananda before he ascends to godhood. * Bittersweet Chutney: An account of an ordinary woman’s life set against the backdrop of one of Adeva’s most significant historical events—the killing of a mad god-king. |
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The Way of the Wizard by Michael Michel Even gods have their beginnings. Mine starts in the chasm between worlds. In the blink of eternity between life and death. If you wish to follow, let this be your road. First, join your brethren–those others who seek the Power. They are your allies and the key to your success. They will almost certainly try to kill you. Second, slay a wizard and claim their topknot. Be smart, be quick, and never hesitate. They’re the most dangerous creatures alive. If destiny does not favor you, your bones will be added to the piles beneath their feet. Third, acquire the hidden location of the Spirit Gardens. Secrets are worth more than kingdoms. Protect them at all costs or your enemies will win, and you will die. But above all, never look back. Godhood is the goal. If you have the courage and ambition to do so, read on. Your path to power awaits. |
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Soul Cage (SoulBreaker Book 1) by L. R. Schulz Murder Breeds Magic All power comes with a price. In a world where magic is transferred by the act of killing another, Myddrin stands above the rest. Having accidentally killed the most powerful mage in all of existence, Myddrin now lives a peaceful life in isolation. But there is no such thing as peace in the land of Otor. War calls. The voices of the dead haunt him, and there is nowhere to hide. Cursed with the deathly taint of magic, young Will must seek acceptance among the Knights of Aen. There, he must learn to touch the otherside, control his abilities, and decide for himself what is right, and what is wrong. Tvora’s soul is broken. The price of vengeance was her sanity. Her companions help her keep a tenuous grasp on herself, but with the urgent need to absorb enough magic to sustain them, she is pushed to choose a side in the upcoming war. The question remains, will she choose the right one? |
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Under Far Galaxian Skies by Natalie Kelda Balfour has committed the ultimate crime: the murder of his sister’s boyfriend. It doesn’t matter that it was accidental. Sentenced to working as ship labourer, Balfour is convinced he deserves it when he's captured by pirates and forced to a distant galaxy. He barely escapes enslavement, fleeing into a city more deadly than anything he’s ever known. Venomous reptiles hunt him. Iron-fisted tarilla chiefs are on the brink of war. Balfour must adapt quickly or prepare for a slow, torturous death in the hands of people more bloodthirsty than the Star-Eaters of old. But the biggest threat is his lingering self-loathing. If he can't fight through it, nothing else will matter — because he won’t live long enough to see it. |
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Hidden Realm (Legends of Lightning Book 1) by T.R. Slauf “The next Realm Walker will bring with them a storm. Lightning must fight the Crimson Shadow, or the lands will be cast into eternal darkness.” When she was a child, Esther was plagued with vivid nightmares. Now they have returned to haunt her. Bloodthirsty monsters chase her through a forest of dead trees while a mysterious hooded figure stalks her. After waking with fresh wounds from her dreams, Esther searches for the truth about who she is and the Hidden Realm she is destined to save. Join Esther on her journey of self-discovery as she travels into a world long forgotten. Unsure if she can trust her hooded guide, she is hunted by unknown enemies and smothered by expectations of grandeur. Deciphering friend from foe she travels the lands, trying to unite kingdoms torn by pride. |
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Redemption (Legends of Lightning Book 2) by T.R. Slauf “Blood seems to be the only thing flowing in this Realm. The day I found out the truth of who I was, was the day I died.” “Sometimes you must die so you can be re-born.” Esther escaped the horrors of Castle Rose, but at a cost. Believing her lost guide is still alive deep in the bowels of Adam’s dungeons, she aims to save him, but the other Huntsman are not so sure he’s alive… Desperate to rescue Oisin, Esther makes tempestuous allegiances with dangerous foes. Walking a fine line between enemies and allies, life and death, she rages war against the monsters of the Hidden Realm. Esther’s journey continues in this heart wrenching sequel as she navigates the politics and grudges of ageless Queens. By night, she’s haunted by what she’s seen fighting in a war that was never hers. What she’s done to survive in the Hidden Realm will haunt her forever and she’s terrified of losing herself in the darkness without a star to guide her. Will Esther be able to save Oisin and the lands before the shadows of her mind overtake her spirit? |
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Savior on the zenith: Fragmented Fates Duology, part 2 by Nancy Foster The doubtful. The jaded. The heir. The dauntless. Jarahad questions the mistakes he made during his life. Nobody ever forced him to become initiated in the combative harlequin arts, which only worsens his guilt. The only person that understands his true feelings is acting recklessly for reasons he doesn't quite understand yet. When disaster befalls Almjarhad, Jarahad will be forced to make the most difficult decision of his life. Talgel's fate has become sealed in stone, and there is no turning back. The chess board she carefully assembled over the years has been prepared, and the pawns waiting in their positions for the true hero of this story to perform the first move. With no options left, Talgel hopes she can reveal the prediction that can save Almjarhad before all hopes are lost. Tioja forges an unbreakable bond with the one person who can both save Almjarhad and ruin him. After running away from Almjarhad and fearing for his vanishing sanity, Tioja seeks refuge in the new harlequin enclave of Murdorhiolan alongside his mother, her new husband... and his half-brother named Gulraj. While Tioja gets used to his new life, an innocent remark ignites a butterfly effect that will trigger devastating consequences. Jamarnid suspects something is amiss when a human mage moves into Almjarhad and becomes infatuated with his son Jarahad. Just as he feared, the mage becomes an unstoppable threat that warrants a drastic solution. After being ridiculed by his peers, Jamarnid must set aside his pride and convince everyone the mage threatens the city's safety before it's too late. The demon who has bonded to Talgel's soul stares at the chessboard it helped assemble with reverie and is eager to share its power with the one person that can save the city... for a hefty price. |
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The Path of Pain and Ruin by Joel Glover In the wastes beyond the Last City, all is quiet. Everyone has heard of the Hundred Blessed. Of the Final War between the Empire of Blue and Green and the Empire of Red and Ivory. Of what they did. But the war is never over. You can’t outrun your past. And you can’t hide from what you’ve done, no matter how hard you might try. All you can do is walk the Path the God has set out for you. And try to shut out the screams, and the sound of bones breaking beneath your feet. |
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The Veil of Death (The Azetha Series Book 2) by Robin Glassey Tika reaches the place of her birth, hoping to find a home, a family, and a safe haven. But Mortan has other plans for the girl with incredible healing powers. And what is worse than an evil sorcerer who wants you dead? An evil sorcerer who wants you alive. Tika is forced to leave Xanti and find a way to protect herself against Mortan, for even though she denies being Azetha, she can't deny the danger she faces. Only The Veil of Death will provide her with some measure of protection against Mortan and his assassins. But how many more souls will Death claim this time as she travels to The Tower of Sorrows? |
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The Least of Elves: A Land of Fathara Novella by Robin Glassey Toran looked upon the other Elves in Xanti with wonder. They all had at least one Gift, they all had a trade, and they all knew their path in life. Why did he have to be so different? Toran's only claim to fame had been the attention the queen had given him on his Naming Day. She had called him a harbinger … but of what? And now that he was entrusted with a delivery to the Human village of Kipra, he hoped great things finally lay in store - but feared his history of mistakes might spell disaster. |
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Things Magical Under The Moon: A Grim Anthology by Alexis L Carroll and Amanda Stockton To those who wander the woods alone, be wary of Things Magical Under the Moon. For the trees and crows conspire while vengeance is sought by werewolves and vampires. Fairies and spirits linger just out of sight while the witches convene in the dead of night. Magic and malice take flight, while a dragon hungers for your life. So, dear reader, take to heart this warning: Mind the path and you’ll make it to morning. Featuring fairytale mashups of: Cinderella Red Riding Hood The Fox and The Wolf Rumpelstiltskin The Tailor The Fairy Tree of Dooros The Juniper Tree The Crows Fowler's Fowl Wizard of Oz The Crucible |
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He's 278 years old. And just getting started. Lord Fathim, ruler of Walkland, has used the magic of Proxies to live a long time. But he wants more -- more life, more power, more slaves. He’s ruled his country for centuries, and his plot to take over the rest of the world is ripening. He has one small problem, though: he's going insane. The Proxy system which has lengthened his life is also breaking his mind. There is a cure. He knows one person -- Mavel, a powerful and famous Span Seer -- who can help restore his sanity. Her dark magic can do that. When his mind is restored, he can put his plan in motion. Mavel knows it, too. She also knows something Lord Fathim doesn’t -- a secret that could end his reign forever. But only if she can find the courage to risk it all. You see, she has failures in her past. Innocents once died while Mavel hid, and her cowardice gnaws at her like an animal digging into a fresh kill. This ancient Span Seer holds the key to Lord Fathim's future, and thus the future of all. Will her own fears block her? Can she stop the Blood King's reign of death? |
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The Elf-Witch of Bazzleboo (Running with the Elves Book 2) by Charles G. Stuart This sequel to "Running With The Elves" takes the reader to darker and deeper places than its predecessor as four of the original characters return for an encore and travel to the coastal town of Bazzleboo. What awaits them there questions their own sense of reality and even their sanity as they fight to unravel a mysterious dark force that holds the local residents in its evil grip. This thought provoking book delves into a thicket of subjects such as religion, philosophy and addiction which the reader must untangle and resolve to his or her own satisfaction. Definitely not a book for young children or the weak minded. |
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Azetha Rising (The Azetha Series Book 4) by Robin Glassey WHEN TIKA FOUND OUT KING MARIC AND QUEEN ISLEEN WEREN'T HER PARENTS, LIFE AS THE FORMER PRINCESS KNEW IT CHANGED FOREVER. Accused of trying to kill the king, Tika became a fugitive, dodging Mortan's assassins and the sorcerer’s evil Sha'andari. She journeyed to the deadly Swamp of Tears to obtain the Veil of Death from a mysterious warrior Elf who became her protector and teacher. She was captured and collared by the cunning Prince Perdon and added to his Elemental "collection." And she was forced to battle her beloved sand tiger Herra in Sicor's Arena. In the thrilling conclusion of the epic YA fantasy series The Azetha Series, Tika must complete her journey to the Mercy Mines to rescue King Maric and honor her promise to return Death his stolen cup. But Mortan has other plans for this healer on the run. Tika faces the ultimate betrayal, winding up in one of Mortan’s frozen cells, tortured and stripped of her powers. Is the Human Elven Elemental hybrid really the long-awaited Azetha, or just another one of Queen Lindra's pawns in the Elf's manipulations to defeat Mortan? |
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Saros Antarian has been slowly dying since the day he restored his lover’s life. Necromancy is a curse universally feared, and its ostracized users are considered less than human. After seven years of isolation and fighting for his steadily-draining life, Saros finally tracks down his one chance to survive: Jovian’s Tomb, the resting place of the first necromancer. According to myth, the tomb – a lake that only appears under the new moon, and always in a different spot – is the source of necromantic power. And if it can give power, Saros hopes it can also take power away. When a cult bent on purging necromantic power from the world makes an attempt on Saros’s life, and Saros learns that his ex-lover is their leader, he realizes that there’s much more than his own life at stake. The cult intends to destroy Jovian’s Tomb with the help of a resurrected god, and if Saros doesn’t get to the lake first, the cult’s reckless actions will tip the balance of life and death. But every power has its temptations, and as the only one able to offset the cult’s plans, Saros is left with a choice: sacrifice his power, stay out of the cult’s way, and return to the society that rejected him; or strengthen his power, fight back, and let the world fear him. |
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Hunters of Life and All that Matters by Matthew Thompson A Domino Galaxy Stand-Alone. In a galaxy three billion light years from Earth, creationism on the planet Coalesce comes naturally as nature itself. Millions of DNA-carrying organisms erupt from beneath her surface, forming giant sapphire swarms which snake across the sky; their mission: to coalesce and cocoon a new breed of life in order to claim back the world, or so the theory has come to pass. Mackenzie Scott is a freelance CSC hunter (Coalesced Specimen Control). Haunted by his father’s death, troubled by his illegal substance abuse, he is amongst the last bastion of freelancers. Government-funded CSC United dominate the skies now, forecast to take full responsibility of controlling the Coalesced Specimen within the next decade. But Mackenzie fights to keep the freelancing tradition alive, and for what matters in life: to locate his father’s killer; to overcome his drug addiction; and to become something more than a friend to his childhood sweetheart Lucia. |
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Ablaze in Mirth by Matthew Thompson “The humans cheered and booed and bet on us blood suckers. And they enjoyed it too, watching us burn every year in the Nile Valley during the summer solstice, the sun beating down on us, incinerating us like bugs beneath a magnifying glass.” Once a year, the Ablaze Games attracts thousands of spectators from around the world for a two-week tournament, wherein the winner attains his or her freedom. Matias De Laurentiis is a contender, risking his life to gain a better one. And it’s not only in the arenas he must strive to survive; the underground Ablaze Complex leaves its competitors to circulate amongst themselves, including assassins. All of which is televised for the human populace, the current rulers of the world. Seven arenas separate Matias from becoming a victor. It will mean keeping out of the deathlight, and to kill his fellow kind. But he’s hungrier than ever, and willing to do whatever it takes to remove the shackles from himself and his loved ones. |
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Empire of Ash and Blood by Matthew Thompson Matias De Laurentiis, Ablaze champion 2019, learns his loved ones perished at the hands of the Cult of Ra, a renegade faction out to eradicate bloodmans. But before seeking those responsible, he must escape the Ablaze Haven—the first to do so. Meanwhile, Luna Adjani’s entrapment of human dominance pushes her tolerance to new limits. With inner strength, aided by her faith, she embarks on her purpose. But to see it, first she must survive the tournament of Ablaze—claimed the greatest show on earth. Their lives are destined for change in the Pretorius Empire of 2043, Egypt. They are not alone; a Bloodman Rights inspector breaks protocol to aid the insurgent uprising; and an empress consort, after over twenty years in her role, debates whether to risk abandoning the emperor and his empire. |
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Twin Spirit by Matthew Thompson A Domino Galaxy Stand-Alone. Lily is a primitive spirit trapped on Earth, and has been from the day she was born, nine years ago and counting. She can’t smell, taste, touch or be heard. Lily wants to experience such sensations. But most of all, she wants her human sister – dead. Rose discovers her twin sibling in a forest, and she and Lily are transported to the afterlife, three billion light years away, within a galaxy called Domino. On the planet Kiian, the twins go in search of their mother, the key to transforming Lily into a fully formed spirit. However, humans and primitives are not welcome. Fearless creatures called the Govern seek to banish the twins from the afterlife and, in turn, from each other. |
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The Sunless Shore by Toby Bennett The Sunless Shore is the second book in the Inner Sea Cycle, years have passed since the Fall of Negra but a new threat is stirring. The veil between the living and the dead is torn and the fragile peace of the Inner Sea is swallowed up by a war that can have only one outcome. |
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The Endless Ocean by Toby Bennett All oceans are one ocean, water without end and at the heart of it all a secret slumbers, gnawing and waiting, for no secret remains hidden forever. Can two orphans who have never heard of realms beyond their own prevent the destruction that threatens every shore? Only time will tell. |
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Where Kids Are Monsters by Natalie Kelda Erica’s world has been turned upside down one too many times in the past week. The last thing she needed was for a talking parrot to dump her, alone, on a crocodile-infested beach on Quarantine Thirteen. She needs to get off the planet, but if she’s not careful, the kids of Quarantine Thirteen might give her the pox and then she can never go home. |
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The Day They Came by Natalie Kelda Officer Kenny is counting down the hours for his shift to end when two strangers arrive unexpectedly. Despite Kenny’s urge for caution towards these newcomers, his superior is more concerned with bribes lining her pockets than potential threats to the people of Amule. This short story is set between book 1 and 2 of the Inner Universe series. It can be read as a standalone or a companion to the River in the Galaxy duology. |
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The Boy Who Had Nobody by Natalie Kelda Drowing a traumatic past in hard liquor, Adrien has no friends except the ghosts of his memories. But then the captain he works for takes on a new foster son. This story is set 18 years before the events of River in the Galaxy: Inner Universe: Book 1. It can be read as a standalone or a companion to the River in the Galaxy duology. |
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Quarantine Thirteen by Natalie Kelda Since her fight against the last Star-Eater, Tara Polendi's energy-vision has become unreliable — a truth she is too humiliated to share. When Tara unwittingly directs Lucia into the heart of a portal storm, the ship and her crew portal back to the last place they want to go: Outer Universe. Now, they can’t take off from their crash-site, and Tara's unstable vision becomes the least of her worries. There is someone – or something – else on the island. And if Tara doesn’t get control quickly, it might cost the lives of everyone she holds dear. Quarantine Thirteen can be read as a standalone or in connection with the River in the Galaxy Duology. |
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Outer Universe by Natalie Kelda With immense losses, Merlon and his crew have escaped the cannibals of Ivory, but now they are stuck in the wrong universe with no idea which way home lies. There is no time for grieving when it's discovered Lucia's rough flight through the enormous asteroid field has resulted in most of their precious water storage spilling. It's evident Merlon isn't done fighting against his former addiction, but in Outer Universe he finds help from unexpected corners and makes surprising discoveries. Struggling to find a way back to Inner Universe before more of his crew are added to the death toll, new information about Lady Galantria's heritage reveal a threat that hadn't even entered Merlon's worst nightmares. Will he succeed in returning to Amule, or will they be stuck in Outer Universe forever? Outer Universe is the continuation and conclusion of Merlon's story in the Inner Universe series. |
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Part-Time Monster Hunter by Nicholas Woode-Smith I was orphaned and left for dead… Until a ghost found me and taught me to slay monsters. My name is Kat Drummond. Part-Time Monster Hunter. After watching a necromancer dissect my parents, I swore vengeance against the undead and the maniacs who bring them into the world. But hunting monsters isn’t easy. Especially in Hope City. Lucky for me, I’ve got a ghost from another world here to train me. He’s got a bone to pick with the undead just as much as I do. Together, we’ll become the greatest monster hunters Hope City has ever seen. There’s a new necromancer on the block, and an army of undead monstrosities at his command. This could be my shot at entering the big leagues. Or wind up a walking corpse. |
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The Fealty of Monsters Volume 1 by Ladz Illustrated by Soren Häxan Winter 1917. After years on the run from a dangerous cult, Sasza Czarnolaski and his father have found themselves among the Odonic Empire’s ruling class. One problem: vampires aren’t supposed to get involved in human governance. What the aristocracy doesn’t know, cannot hurt them. But aristocratic rumors blame the vampires for a summertime massacre months unsolved. Sasza suspects that same cult has finally shown up on his doorstep. It’s already in his bedchambers. Though his pro-proletariat lover, Finance Minister Ilya Górniak, has always been against putting working class lives at risk, he cannot say the same for his other comrades. Despite all rational arguments against it, the Emperor declares war upon the vampire states as vengeance. Ilya does not protest, and Sasza finds himself alone in a den of political wolves. Diplomacy has failed and insurrection comes from an unlikely source—the emperor’s own progeny, Świetlana. She invites Sasza into a bloody plan which will save his station and the lives of thousands at the cost of those he swore to serve. He will do anything to preserve his peace—even if it means giving into the monstrosity he spent so many years concealing from even himself. |
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The Throne of Eleven by Novae Caelum Raen was an emperor of peace. Now he serves an emperor of war. A month ago, Raen was the ruler of a desert empire who’d ushered in an era of peace. But emperors only serve for five years under the watch of the mysterious Remnants of Eleven, and then they disappear. Now, cut off from his family and everyone he knows, with his name and face changed, Raen is a servant to the new emperor—an emperor bent on tearing down the peace Raen worked so hard to forge. The Throne of Eleven is a standalone novelette set in a fully queer-inclusive world! Available now in ebook and digitally narrated audiobook. |
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You Fed Us To the Roses: Short Stories by Carlie St. George Final girls who take care of each other. Dead boys still breathing. Ghosts who whisper secrets you can never share. Angels beyond the grave, yet not of heaven. Wolves who wear human skins. Featuring ten contemporary dark fantasy and horror stories, You Fed Us To the Roses is a visceral, triumphant collection by Carlie St. George that you won’t want to miss. Stop by for the murder…and stick around for the feels. Cover art: Evangeline Gallagher ISBN: 978-1-949936-47-6 (ebook) | ISBN: 978-1-949936-48-3 (paperback) |