Oathborn by Ann C. Orlandi

The war against the fae stole Zari’s future. Now she works as a nurse, dedicating her life to healing those still recovering after the final battle. When a mysterious fae mage appears, claiming her long-lost father is imprisoned by the fae, she strikes a dangerous bargain. Zari will infiltrate the fae Queen’s court, posing as one of her magical Oathborn soldiers, for a chance to bring her father home. But if she’s caught, her life, and the fragile peace, will be forfeit. Pursued by enemies on both sides, haunted by the past, and drawn to a man she cannot trust, Zari must decide what she’s willing to sacrifice and who she’s willing to become. Because to the fae, Oaths aren’t just binding, they’re deadly. A thrilling start to a new romantic fantasy series, perfect for fans of One Dark Window, Swordheart, and Once Upon a Broken Heart.

The Winds of War by Mosha Winter

THESE THREADS ARE SOAKED IN BLOOD. The Astaris Empire is fracturing, its realm flogged by war and fanaticism. Empress Seline and her Gold Council vie to maintain control, but what is control for a nation built on blood and lies? In the east, the storied Rhaavi people cling to their independence, but as the ruinous First Legion of the Empire arrives at their walls, hope is decimated. Even so, Yuei, the dragonrider, and Rizu, the shadow guardian, will lay down their lives to protect their home. And Kirana, High Chieftainess of the Rhaavi, vows to lead her people through . . . no matter the cost. Elsewhere, the prodigious Hatsun pursues an education at the fabled Great Library of the Awakened. But he quickly learns that curiosity is both a boon and a burden as his studies unveil cataclysmic secrets about the world that could change everything. This book marks the first chapter of The Tapestry of the Tarnished. Here is a tale spanning the whole of the Ring: A circle of continents rife with war and unrest. A world colored by magics and mythical creatures. A place you will fear, yet not wish to leave. George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire meets Steven Erikson’s The Malazan Book of the Fallen in this burgeoning epic fantasy saga.

The Skald's Black Verse by Jordan Loyal Short

Brohr has a noose around his neck. When a soldier’s murder sparks rebellion in the tiny village of Skolja, Brohr’s violent past marks him as the prime suspect. Haunted by his infant brother’s raging ghost, he is heir to the dark legacy of the Skalds, and cursed by the forbidden magic of the Dreadbound. As loyalties in the oppressed village fray, Brohr must choose: sate his vengeance, or save his people. In the shadows, an all but extinct race of alien demigods have begun the endgame of their millennia-spanning war. And Brohr is a pawn in the closing gambit. But Brohr’s grandfather harbors a secret that will change everything. Above it all, a dire omen looms in the sky, spelling the death of Brohr’s world. With doom spiraling down, Brohr must lead an unlikely revolt, unearth the truth of his brother’s murder, and tame the raging spirit that haunts him. Can Brohr unite his fractured people, or will he succumb to his own terrifying bloodlust, and destroy the very souls he has sworn to save? Ragnarok Reimagined: Alien Gods, Eldritch Space Travel, and Black Magic! Unique worldbuilding, fierce anti-heroes, and vivid action await in this epic tale, stretching from the stars above to realms below.

A Fate Unwoven by Rachael A. Edwards

A heretical storyteller partners with an ancient spirit to undo the magic that subjugates her to the crown, in this chilling debut fantasy filled with monsters, forbidden rituals, and corrupt deities. The Emperor of Wyrecia is dying, and 17-year-old Lena has just gained the power to control fate itself, binding her to the young prince Dimas as the empire's next Fateweaver. Hunted by the empire's most ruthless soldiers, Lena escapes with a handsome smuggler toward enemy territory. But a former lover betrays Lena, and her magic becomes agony—compelling Lena to submit to a gilded cage. Still, an ancient spirit offers hope: to sever her bond to the throne, Lena must unroot a ritual hidden beneath the palace. As Prince Dimas struggles to forge friendship with Lena and bring his empire under peaceful rule, sinister cultists unveil a twisted plan to unleash an ancient evil that could tear the realm asunder. With every step Lena takes on her quest to freedom, she uncovers a troubling imperial past that tarnishes the nation’s matron goddess. Perhaps the oral histories passed down to Lena are not foolish heresy, after all. Written with captivating mystery, queer romance, and a dual point of view narrative, this dark fantasy features a gorgeously detailed map and roots its magic system in mythological lore. An enchanting selection for young adult readers who don’t mind a little terror with their adventure!

Beyond the Border Forest by Molly Haniszewski

Two kings rule the woods-the Oak King in Summer and the Holly King in Winter-and no mortal may enter their realm without permission. But when Rowan Gwózdek's older sister goes missing, Rowan must search the forest for her, risking the kings' wrath. She enlists the help of her sister's hunting rival Keziah, a trans (and very handsome) hunter with a mysterious connection to the Oak King. He offers to lead her through the forest to find a magical wish granter called the Bear Maiden. Together, Rowan and Keziah face mossmen, a wood dragon, and other fearsome creatures who serve the Oak King. To make matters worse, Rowan stumbles upon the Holly King, the Oak King's nemesis, and becomes tangled in the conflict between the two kings. To get her sister back, Rowan will have to join in the battle, even if it means she can never return home.

Kissed By The Gods by Caty Rogan

Leina has spent a lifetime submitting. Kneeling. Enduring. Then soldiers came for her brother, and divine fury surged through her veins. She expects execution for the bodies she left in her wake. Her people have met bloody ends for far, far less. Instead, Ryot, a godsworn warrior born to privilege and raised in order, drags her into a world that was never meant for her. One of divine armies and death demons, winged war horses and monsters, sacred power and royal secrets. A kiss from a goddess changes everything. No longer a criminal, Leina is a prize. The kingdom's most powerful men want what the goddess touched. Leina wants only one thing, though: freedom for her people. And she'll trade herself for the strength to destroy the kingdom that broke them. Conscripted into a war she never asked for, fighting for gods she doesn't believe in, Leina must decide how far she's willing to go and what she's willing to lose. Because her power is more than a threat to the kingdom's buried secrets. It's a death sentence.

Killer Quill by Shida Ketzer

Murdered in cold blood and resurrected through forbidden powers, Quill becomes her world’s legendary assassin. She can never part with her eponymous quill. The mythical quill keeps her alive, heals her wounds, and enables her to transform colors into animate objects doing her bidding. In exchange, the quill feeds on her victims’ souls. When her latest mission sparks the higher power’s wrath, Quill must avenge the death of her people and her own murder. Failure will cost more than just her life. A Wisteraverse Novella

Bathed in Ink and Blood (Ink, Brand, and Knife Book 1) by Robert C. Laymon

War made him. Betrayal broke him. The Butcher of Greenlake will go to any lengths to find the truth and punish those who wronged him. He will dismantle their world stone by stone and raze it all to the ground. Signamancy opens a world of possibilities for a low-born teen. However, a power that gives can also take away. Dacre Caeinn finds himself in the company of the Butcher of Greenlake. Will the most wanted man in Camoria help Dacre save the one he loves most or will he be another victim buried in the Butcher's trail of revenge? The life of the standard noblewoman was one Raya Adan never wanted despite her father's insistence. Now, she finds herself betrothed and the idea of being shipped across the sea as little more than a commodity does not sit well with her. To gain her father's approval and show her worth as more than a bargaining chip, she dives into the investigation of recent attacks on the family's ventures. However, not all is as it seems and Raya slowly unravels truths that will upend the world she knows.

The Construction of Shadows by Dakota Jackson

In a world where 74% of the population possesses unique abilities passed down by the 16 Divinities of the Sun and Moon, it takes a miracle to stand out… Or a disaster. Meiling Katz is a nobody. With no Divine blood and a mysterious illness that’s plagued her since the Lunar Eclipse Massacre killed her parents thirteen years ago, she’s powerless. Nevertheless, Meiling is determined to attend the prestigious Zialitos Academy for Sun-Gifted Children and rise in the ranks of their country’s lawmakers. Suraya Zialitos is a living legend. As the heir to the most powerful lineage in the world—those descended from Ataru, Divinity of the Sun—Suraya is destined for greatness. But Suraya does not want greatness, she wants revenge for her family slaughtered by the notorious Miyako family in the Massacre. When the childhood best friends arrive at the Academy only to find a string of terrorist attacks linked to the Miyakos, their initial plans go up in flames. With their friendship unraveling and the country in terror, they realize there’s only one way to solve this: together. The Construction of Shadows is the first in a YA fantasy series for fans of Percy Jackson, My Hero Academia, and Avatar the Last Airbender!

Void's Vengeance by Emma L. Adams

Former captain Yala Palathar is once again in exile, while a tyrant sits upon the throne of Laria. The armies of the dead stalk the lands, while across the country, the orders of Disciples are falling, one by one. Amid the chaos, Yala is offered an opportunity to return to the battlefield as a soldier of the highest rank. Accepting might be her only chance to get close to her enemy, but at the cost of being drawn deeper into the god of death’s domain. Niema, too, faces a raging battle in her heart, between the promises she swore to the god of life and the knowledge that the god of death has marked her, too. As the gods of life and death prepare to wage all-out war, Yala and Niema face choices that will shape the future of the nation and the world at large. Either they will bring an end to a conflict years in the making, or else watch everything they hold dear fall into the ruinous void.

Corruption's Claw by Emma L. Adams

In Laria, the truth cuts as sharp as a blade. Former captain Yala Palathar and her allies prevented the god of death from claiming another city, but at a cost. Now, war threatens between Laria and their rival nation of Rafragoria after half a decade of peace, and tensions in the capital are at an all-time high. While the unprepared monarch tries to keep everything under control, it seems inevitable that Yala and her surviving squad-mates will be called to battle once again. To complicate matters, bodies are washing up on Laria’s shores, corrupted by Mekan’s insidious magic. Yala is certain that someone is trying to push their nation into a fight that will achieve nothing but a fresh wave of souls to feed the god of death, but the Disciples of the Flame are determined to burn away the evidence - literally. As Dalathar comes ever closer to boiling over in chaos, Yala must choose whether to reveal the secrets that will either save everyone from an avoidable war… or shatter the fragile peace holding Laria together.

Traitor's Tome by Emma L. Adams

Several weeks have passed since the capital of Laria narrowly escaped destruction at the hands of the god of death and His followers. Former Captain Yala Palathar is attempting to lie low, but the dead no longer rest easily in their graves, and her role in the battle has drawn attention from potential allies and foes alike. Niema, too, has been profoundly changed by the choices she made during the battle of Dalathar, and journeying home to the Disciples of Life reveals the devastating consequences of her actions. Niema grapples with her desire to protect Yala’s secrets, but when monsters start appearing in the forest, she fears that she’s brought doom upon her own people. When the Disciples of the Flame come to Yala with the news that a dangerous book used by the god of death’s followers has gone missing, Yala is compelled to seek it out to avert further disaster. Her quest takes her to Setemar, home of the Disciples of the Earth, where her path soon crosses with Kelan and the Disciples of the Sky. It isn’t long before Kelan’s alliance with Yala puts him at odds with his fellow Disciples, and the closer Yala treads to the domain of the god of death, the louder Mekan’s voice whispers in her own ear. With threats stirring above and below ground, ally is set against ally, and not everyone will survive the calamity that will follow…

Ranger by Dietrich Stogner

Jaina Creighton has always known what it means to sacrifice. When both her brothers are marked for conscription into the Dominion’s wars, she makes a desperate choice—trading her own freedom to join the rangers, an ancient order bound by oath to walk the wilds and guard the people. Her decision will spare her brothers from service… but binds her to a life of duty from which there is no return. Far to the south, Antoinette DeLuca—scion of one of Vetticci’s most powerful houses—has secrets carved into her every masterpiece. An artist, a spy, and a woman trapped by her family’s ambitions, she has learned to shape beauty from duty and deceit alike. When her path collides with Jaina’s, the chemistry between them is as dangerous as it is undeniable. But the Dominion is shifting. The dukes raise armies. Shadows lengthen across the land. And as the days slip away, whispers of something vast and terrible grow louder. To protect the ones they love, Jaina and Antoinette must each come to understand the truth of who they are—and choose between loyalty and desire, between what they owe and what they yearn for. The countdown has already begun. And when it ends, nothing will be the same.

Flames That Bind Us by Noah Isaacs

Dreams shape both the future and the past. This is the story of Aerym's first; the story of a fire that bound him to an eternity of torment. To Aerym, his life consisted of foraging in the woods around his village, passing the time beneath towering pines and bounding over the moss-laden ground underfoot. Well, not anymore. For Aerym is visited in the night by a strange premonition, warning him of a fire so great it will burn his entire village to the ground and everyone along with it. The only problem? Who is going to believe a nine year old boy who spends more time in the deep forest than with kids his own age? His work cut out for him, Aerym fights to prevent the fires from consuming all that he knows and loves. But time is not on his side. Nobody else is, for that matter. What is a dream, if not a sign of what is yet to come?

Tails of Battle: the Fox, the Jaguar, and the Mysterious Island by Timothy Robare

In a world of humans, elves, and animal humanoids; the fox and jaguar are at war. The two are at odds as another powerful enemy arises and begins a journey for the Mysterious Island for help. The Tournament of Kings is taking place across the sea. One queen destroys peace in the kingdoms with one choice.

The Waking of Storm and Flame by N.A. Betts

You can defy a crown. You can outrun a war. But no one escapes their bloodline. Alira Verbrandt never wanted a crown—only the quiet pursuit of knowledge. But when the ruthless Illyrian Empire marches on her homeland, the princess of Namelle is forced into a war that began long before her time. On the eve of invasion, Alira discovers a dangerous truth: she is a Fate, the heir of a divine bloodline tied to ancient power and prophecy. Hunted for what she is and burdened with what she must become, Alira must unite others like her to awaken a rebel god—their last hope against annihilation. But even the gods have something to fear. An ancient prophecy stirs, warning of their creator’s return—and with him, a final judgment that could erase both mortals and immortals alike.

House of Muir (Shadow Twins Book 2) by Luke Tarzian

ONCE MARKED, ALWAYS MARKED… The war that was won is lost. His country razed and friends dead, Cailean Catil seeks the miserable solace of inebriation. But fate has other plans for ill-lucked men. An ocean away, he returns to the Galrun Muir, the order from which he was previously exiled. Seeking answers as to why they now worship the monster haunting his dreams, Cailean embarks on a quest to confront the ghost of Gabriel Muir and seal his tomb. Should he succeed, all will be made clear. But some truths are better left dead. THE GUILT WILL ALWAYS CALL YOU BACK… Fiel has lost everything. Her niece is dead at the hands of Te Mirkvahíl and her country has been razed by the demon’s legions. But fate has other plans for ill-lucked women. An ocean away, in the city Harbanan, Fiel resumes her search for Vare Tal-úlm. Her journey leads her to the monster-hunting Galrun Muir who claim not only to have knowledge of Vare, but of Fiel’s previous visit to their hallowed grounds. Lady Mirkvahíl, they say, has returned. THE DEAD RISE… Behtréal has won. Helveden is a ruin, the Ariathan Empire is dead, and The Keepers’ Wrath is his to wield. With it, in the dead city Banerowos, he can rewrite history and reclaim lives lost—he can bring his people back. But things are not so simple as that, for within the dead city Behtréal must contend with the guilt of memory and all its ghosts. MADNESS IN TRUTH… The doors have opened. Welcome in.

Song of the Hell Witch by Taylor Hartley

Once a vicious street rat, Prudence Merriweather has clawed her way to the top of society and now enjoys newfound power as the Duchess of Talonsbury. All she has to do to protect her fragile position is maintain the act of gentility, make her husband happy—and keep her monstrous magic a secret. Puck Reed, the Thief Lord of Talonsbury, once delighted in taking risks and humiliating the social elite at any cost, but now lives a quieter criminal lifestyle. With a daughter of his own to protect, Puck tries to lay low and stay safe for her benefit. His daughter, Bea, suffers from a mysterious illness bent on killing her, and Puck will stop at nothing to find a cure. When Prudence’s magic betrays her, she has no choice but to flee—and who better to smuggle her out of the city than her childhood best friend and former sweetheart, Puck Reed? With the help of old friends and new allies, they learn about Stormlash, a safe haven miles beyond the city walls where women and their magic can flourish beyond the oppressive eye of Leora’s religious fanatics. Stormlash may also hold the key to curing Bea’s illness. The challenge? Keep her alive long enough to get there. With Bea’s illness claiming more of her strength, Puck and Pru must work together to reach Stormlash and, in the process, confront a growing evil threatening to devour the country they call home.

The Great Tree of Iris by Jess Skultety

7 Unlikely Companions. 5 Libraries. 1 Hidden Prophecy. The Great Tree of Iris: a place of unmatched healing power for humans. Top scholar Lia Tovar protects the Tree in honor of her dead father, but she has visions of its tragic demise. When Rory Elatha, an elf from the hidden city of Kyrali, arrives seeking experts to save the decaying, sacred sunflower fields, Lia suspects their situations are connected. For once, her books cannot help, and she answers the call. To save the Tree, Lia must learn to trust six allies: - A youthful jeweler - A haunted scholar - A vibrant secret-keeper - An inkdelver on a mission - A wizard seeking a friend - A dragon looking for home When they discover one part of a deadly prophecy, Lia, Rory, and their party search desperately for a way to challenge fate. But as more natural disasters arise in their race across the continent, Lia must decide if she can let Rory into her heart, and if that will free or destroy her. The Great Tree of Iris combines a 30-year-old FMC's map-crossing, world-saving quest with fade-to-black sapphic romance in a queer-normative world. Perfect for fans of Samantha Shannon, L.R. Lam, S.A. Chakraborty, Saara El-Arifi, and J.R.R. Tolkien.

Queen of Thorns by Joel Flanagan-Grannemann

Join Canin and his party of fellow Elenite (half-Human, half-Fairy) Thorn Brothers and Thorn Maidens as they complete their revenge mission in a nearby Human village. They're after a man who killed his wife years before. Canin had sworn to protect the wife, and was trying to help her escape to the safety of the Exile Forest. The husband also led a group who massacred those from the Forest who came looking for Canin when he fled in shame (leading to him meeting Talia and her party in Talia: Heir to the Fairy Realm, Book One of this series). After they find their vengeance, follow them as they rescue a sizeable group of weary and wary displaced Human women and children and convince the group to trust them and accompany them home to the Exile Forest. Sadly, not everything is as it seems in the Sanctuary village once they arrive. There's a traitor in their midst! War with the Human King and his Lions (evil Elenite blood users) is about to break out, and, as usual, Canin and his wife (the Fairy soldier Spearhead) find themselves in the middle of all the conflict, fighting for a safe home for their adopted daughter, the ever-growing baby Aurora.

Mother of Exiles by Joel Flanagan-Grannemann

Canin, an Elenite — half-Human and half-Fairy — had left the Exile Forest in shame after a woman who had sought his help was killed by her husband, who framed Canin for the murder. ⚠ Later, he found himself enveloped in the adventures of the Heir to the Fairy Realm and her company for a time, where he fell in love with one of the Heir’s Fairy Ladies. After being separated from his love when tragedy befalls the Heir’s party and his love is arrested, he finds himself dropped on the edge of the Exile Forest with the Fairy soldier named Spearhead (who lost her wings in the ordeal) and a baby they rescued from Blood Cultists at the Human king’s castle. While they believe the baby is the daughter of the king and his wife, the truth is ... ◆more complicated◆. Canin and Spearhead, pretending to be married and putting baby Aurora forth as their own flesh and blood, must beg the Mother of Exiles, whose disembodied presence leads the people of the Exile Forest, for sanctuary and the chance to start a new life for their found family in the forest. This book is an alternate entry point to the series for new readers who are more interested in the Elenite side of the story.

Goldheart by Tess Carletta

A world plagued by sun sickness can be both terrible and beautiful. Senna Kane was plucked from his orphanage and molded into the perfect Goldheart—the personal bodyguard to the prince. It's a demanding job, made harder by the headstrong prince's desire to solve the tension between the darkness-bathed Talsura and the sun-welcoming Redwind, but Senna has vowed to do his best. Defying the law, Senna and the prince sneak out of their kingdom to meet with the Redwindan princess to work towards peace. There, Senna finds himself spending more time with the princess' charming guard, Emrys, who challenges Senna to try bold and impossible things—like harnessing the sun's power to grow plants from his own body. The quest for peace comes at odds with the two lovers as the sun sickness, terrifying monsters, and cruel rulers try to tear them apart at every turn. The danger leads Senna to what may be an impossible choice: to abandon his prince, his duty and life's purpose, or lose the chance to become the man he could've been if that duty had never found him. GOLDHEART is a story about chosen family, choosing love, and the impossible feat of staying good in times of darkness.

Blade Broken by Niranjan

A spy lurking in the shadows, a nation on the verge of an invasion, a man desperate to protect his home. Lucian is the Blade of Castrial, the kingdom's spymaster and first line of defence, lauded for his success in repelling an invasion from Garaner. But the war has left Castrial's economy in shambles, and when the neighbouring kingdom of Sarian musters their armies and sends spies into Castrial, Lucian realises two things: they have a spy in their midst, and they can't afford the cost of fighting off another invasion. And if that wasn't trouble enough, there is Alaric, the Shield of Castrial and the only man in the Echelon whose power is equal to Lucian's. Returned from banishment like the vengeful spirit of their long-lost relationship, Alaric carries a deep-set grudge against Lucian, a grudge that may well be justified. Lucian’s desire to protect his nation is nearly equal to his wish to reconcile with Alaric, but if he cannot get his act together and convince the Shield to work with him, Castrial will fall. Blade Broken is a queer, sword-and-sorcery fantasy and the first book in The Echelon Series. If you love flawed characters, betrayals and redemption, and gritty worldbuilding with lots of political machinations, you will love this book.

Solace of Dusk by K. V. Meadows

Those who play with prophecies will get burned… 23-year-old Undesirable, Durvla Garrick, has a dangerous secret. Being both deaf and having a chronic ailment, her very existence is treasonous. So, when the Queen’s mercenaries accuse her of stealing a dress, she comes quietly—better to be arrested for her knitting skills than her illness. Under the watchful eye of the broody royal guard, Tiernan Kilkenny—the embodiment of the very people she’s spent her life hiding from—Durvla is appointed dressmaker to the princess. But castle life isn’t quite what she expected, and nor is its staff… With the Queen dying, Princess Carys Meredyth fa Rhodri is reluctant to inherit the throne of a broken Kingdom when she feels so broken herself. Magic has been outlawed for a millennium—so why are her memories filled with whispers of enchantment? When Carys finds a book that only she can read, more questions unravel. Are the fairytales that have provided her comfort since childhood really only stories? Or has the truth been right there all along?

Rise of the Dragonwitch by Timothy K Clark

Kidnapped from NYC and thrust into Tir Na—a dangerous world where myths and legends truly exist—college student Finley Maguire is named the prophesied savior destined to stop a mad king’s rise to immortal power. But Finley isn’t a warrior, and dealing with deadly court intrigue, her intense training, and even fiery dragons might kill her before the prophecy ever has a chance. As war looms, she must decide: fight for a world she doesn’t understand, or risk losing everything to a king who will destroy it all.

Diminished by Erica Rose Eberhart

A queen haunted by ghosts. A dragon cursed in human skin. A kingdom on the brink of war. In the aftermath of her father's death, Queen Greer stands at the edge of grief and revelation. Magic—once forbidden—has returned to Wimleigh, but so have enemies. When a prophetic funeral warns of rising death, it sets into motion a chain of events that will test the mettle of queens, heirs, and warriors alike. As Greer grapples with panic attacks and the vengeful ghost of her father, her sister, Caitriona, struggles under the weight of monstrous expectations. Bearing horns, scales, and the voice of a dragon in her mind, Caitriona must lead a secret mission with Ailith MacCree—now a royal guard—north to find a lost prince who could stop a war—if he’s willing to fight. But treachery weaves through the forests, poisons creep in, and fae assassins lurk in the shadows. With kingdoms falling to darkness, an ancient tree bleeding out its final life, and bonds shattered by betrayal, Wimleigh’s hope rests on a dragon no longer afraid to rise. When magic is reborn and monsters wear crowns, who dares to lead the charge?

Tarnished by Erica Rose Eberhart

An outlawed magic, a hidden curse, and a love tested by fire. In the struggling city of Braewick, a determined 20-year-old gate guard named Ailith MacCree longs for a chance at financial stability and adventure. Little does she know, her wish is about to come true. She accepts a mission from Princess Greer that promises both: escort Princess Caitriona to the Endless Mountains to meet the enigmatic hermit for a great financial reward. Ailith jumps at the opportunity and bids goodbye to all she’s ever known. But as they journey together, Ailith discovers that Caitriona holds a dangerous secret—she possesses powerful magic in a kingdom where magic is outlawed. Ailith and Caitriona face mysterious attacks and supernatural challenges. But as they delve deeper into the treacherous landscape, Ailith learns of Caitriona's tragic past and the dark curse that threatens her very existence. With rebellion brewing in Braewick, and the oppressive king hot on their trail, Ailith must not only navigate her growing feelings for Caitriona, but also fight against relentless foes. As they race against time to stop the curse, Ailith and Caitriona uncover shocking truths about their kingdom, their families, and themselves. Will their burgeoning romance survive the trials ahead? Can they break the curse and save their homeland from tyranny? Join Ailith and Caitriona on a thrilling quest filled with magic, danger, and heart-pounding adventure. Fans of high-stakes fantasy will not want to miss this epic tale.

The Book of Origins by Jean Swan

You are the silent knife in the night, the eyes everywhere, that will do what no other can or will…”  The vast Vol Supremacy maintains an iron grip over its people through a secret cabal of spies and assassins known as the dakir. Offered as tribute by their parents, and trained from childhood, the dakir are skilled and ruthless – tasked with crushing dissent in any way they see fit. Three dakir novices approach their final trial, having long relinquished any hope of a future for themselves. Their only wish is to serve their religious order. Or so they tell themselves. Meanwhile, the Supremacy has discovered a lush, wild continent to the south. The settlement there slips slowly toward rebellion - dissenting voices speaking in public, attendance at holy ceremonies dwindling, and an underground resistance fanning the flames of an uprising. And what of the mysteries of this strange new land itself – apparently uninhabited, yet so suited to human life?  Something awaits that will alter the Supremacy forever. This is where it begins.

Under Darkened Skies by H.E. Bauman

A librarian with a secret. A prince looking for redemption. A dark discovery that will force them to confront their truths. Astrea Sovna is destined to die. As a Lightbringer, she’s expected to serve the Helosian government as a battlefield healer; but when the court seer—Astrea’s uncle—has a vision of her being killed in the line of duty, he forbids her to reveal her powers. Until now, Astrea has gone unnoticed as a junior librarian. But when she gets reassigned to a diplomatic project to strengthen ties between Helosia and one of its neighbors, she finds herself saddled with her past, in the form of returned war hero and her ex-best friend, Prince Varojin Auris. Forced to work together, Astrea soon learns that although Varojin has been out of her life for years, he’s still the kind, patient friend she remembers. As they navigate old friendships and imperial politics, the pair discovers that the mysterious shadows stalking the city are leaving a trail of murder victims in their wake. And when Astrea becomes a target, a dear friend gets caught in the crossfire… As Astrea and Varojin begin searching for answers, they realize there is much more to the emperor’s project than political niceties. If the shadows aren’t stopped, Astrea’s future—and the security of the entire continent—hangs in the balance.

And the Age of Summer Will Rise by Camilla Andrew

When there’s nothing left to burn you have to set yourself on fire… Having chosen a torrid love over political ambition, Laila must face her greatest challenge yet—that of married life as the star bride to the demon king of Mortos. Despite her best efforts to acclimate to her new crown and country, she finds herself ill-equipped to deal with the schisms starting to form across multiple competing factions. As well as the toll it takes on her husband’s fraying mask of civility. With the web of deceit slowly unravelling the true nature of Darius a constant looming threat, a meddling-mother-in-law, and scheming nobles, can this star-crossed pair hope to make it to their first anniversary intact? Across the sea, the solarites slowly recuperate after a devastating act of terrorism. With tensions high and emotions fraught, a division soon forms between those intent on keeping whatever frail charade of peace can still be maintained with Mortos and those intending to shatter it completely. As a high-stakes game of backstabbing and betrayal ensues, the consequences promise to be far-reaching from the beaches of the south to the mountain peaks of the north, leaving everyone involved forever changed. The third and final instalment in the Essence of the Equinox trilogy promises a heart-wrenching finale to this gaslamp fantasy saga that you don’t want to miss.

We Will Devour the Night by Camilla Andrew

Twenty years after her fateful first voyage north, Laila is preparing for her campaign to become the next impératrice of Soleterea, contending with negative attitudes towards chaos magic and the demons who wield it. In the meantime, Darius has settled into his new position as the rex of Mortos, but his rule has not been without conflict and conspiracy, either. When her mother suggests that Laila distinguish herself politically by lending a hand to the famine-stricken Mortesians, she finds herself once more crossing paths with her old lover and confronting the whirlwind of emotions that twenty years apart have done little to settle. Determined to put her feelings to one side, Laila throws herself headfirst into the viper pit of Mortesian court politics to try to win their favour. However, Darius has an allure of his own—one that is not quite so simple to resist. The second instalment in the Essence of the Equinox trilogy continues on the trajectory of character-driven gaslamp fantasy with high emotional stakes and classical worldbuilding.

Blade of Broken Scales by Makayla Marie

With the dawn of her eighteenth birthday, Princess Adeline of the Ambrose family has become the most eligible young woman in the Kingdom of Scalebreak. As suitors from across the realm line up for her hand-in-marriage, Adeline daydreams about her dangerous midnight adventures. More than anything, she wants to protect her kingdom and learn to harness the brief moments of power she’s been collecting since she was fifteen. She’s never felt more alive than when her body hums with magic stolen from the deadliest creatures in the realm, and she’s willing to kill for it. What will win out – her desires for power, freedom, and to be hailed as a protector of the realm, or the sense of duty to her family and the expectations that come with being a princess? Burdened by the heavy weight of her decisions and overwhelmed by suitors, Adeline turns to what she does best, slaying dragons. But when an average night of ruthless hunting goes wrong, she finds herself injured and kidnapped by the clan she thought to exist only in legend. After just a few hours with her kidnapper, Roman Drache, Adeline finds herself questioning everything she has ever known. Will the princess submit to the whims of family and country in the name of duty, or will Adeline choose to embrace the power within arm’s reach and learn to fight for the truth she has cowered from her whole life?

A Thousand Burning Ravens by Kier Smelcer

On the day blood oaths were to be sworn to the King of Falkmere, crimson spilled in an entirely different way. When the Fallen Fae God, Vesperian Shayd decapitated the King, an ancient magic died with him, leaving Falkmere at the mercy of an equally ancient curse. In possession of a burdensome prophesy and ruinous secrets — such as a hidden pregnancy— newly widowed queen, Myla Alerys, must step into a role of leadership she never wanted. In order to break Vesperian’s curse (something it seems she cannot accomplish without rekindling a childhood love with the steadfast Captain Bryar Monroe) Myla must seek help in the most unlikely of places. On this quest of found families and second chance loves, Myla will join forces with a mysterious Seer, a cloister of quiet monks, and the formidable Ashborn to break free of the Blood Stealer’s curse.

Shadow Sword by Kaila Desjardins

Defending those they swore to protect might cost more than they bargained for. Sellsword Morrígan wants nothing more than to defend innocent people. So when Dàibhid, the king of Cunlaran, offers her and her friends the opportunity, she can hardly say no. But working for Dàibhid could expose her secret—she’s not only a princess but Dàibhid’s childhood ex-best friend. If he ever realizes who he has in his castle, Morrígan’s life will come crashing down. The problem is, it’s more difficult keeping her distance than it should be. Dàibhid is desperate to protect his subjects against an invading enemy intent on stealing his throne. Cautious with lives and hoping to avoid war, Dàibhid hires sellswords to gather information undercover. But when the mission goes sideways and people get hurt, Dàibhid’s fear of failing his subjects worsens. The only effective balm seems to be spending time with one of his new hires . . . As the pair grows closer, enemy attacks turn deadlier and the team’s mission becomes paramount. With secrets and lives on the line, Morrígan and Dàibhid must ask themselves what they’re willing to risk before everything they’ve worked for is lost.

Law of Beasts by Aalis Blue

Book 2 of the ‘Testaments’ series. When your destiny is destruction, what remains of your soul? Hadassah, the last princess of a dying lineage, has been tasked with the impossible — she has been asked to die. But upon waking, her Harbinger lies broken, and her allies stand on the edge of ruin. She must cast aside her guilt, don the mantle of her mother, and rise as the last Queen of Emeris, the one fated to destroy the world. In a realm where the heavens demand obedience, and Queens betray their own, Hadassah will walk the path of no return. There is no future for you, Hadassah. There is only death.

The Undoing by Aalis Blue

Book 1 of the ‘Testaments’ series. If you wish upon a shooting star, you may find a small iridescent stone in your palm. And if you carve into it the words of a dead tongue, you may well destroy the world. For a thousand years, humans reigned unchecked. They subjugated, conquered, and consumed all in their path. Yet in the span of a 500-year war, the most feared race in history was annihilated. Their queen vanished, her daughters slaughtered, and their blood spills still into a world that rejoices at their extinction. In the heart of Valdemar forest, Hadassah—the last of a dying human line—lives unaware of the carnage tied to her name. Until the night her home burns and she is forced to flee into a realm that sees her kind as tyrants at best, vermin at worst. Disguised as a harmless rabbit, Hadassah travels with a beastman whose charm hides a shadowed past, a woman so beautiful kingdoms bend before her, a man whose strength humbles her, and a Harbinger forged for her protection alone. Through the power struggles of the formidable Vortigern Rabbit family, Hadassah begins to see the world’s fractures: grudges older than empires, histories written in lies, and a hunger for power that spares no race. Confronted by the cruelty of both beastmen and humans, she must face the question she fears most: Who deserves death, and who shall stand?

The Revenant of Surolifia by Florence Chien

In the vein of The Traitor Baru Cormorant and The Unbroken, The Revenant of Surolifia is a gripping political fantasy of empire, identity, and impossible choices, where rebellion blazes in the streets, loyalty is a double-edged sword, and the price of peace may be too steep to pay. Secrets are often liabilities, but sometimes they are power. Lucas Rhine has seen enough violence. When the Empire of Colours slaughters 17,000 of his silver-eyed kin, Lucas buries his hatred, hides his eyes behind coloured lenses, and vows to become the imperial gendarmerie’s commander. He will liberate his annexed island home through a diplomatic secession. Usurped prince Faye Phlorik wants his throne back. When violent revolutionaries help him escape from prison, he joins them. They need a silver-eyed champion to rally the people, and he needs their resources to defeat the gendarmerie protecting the usurper. When Faye’s escape costs Lucas his promotion, Lucas adds revenge to his list of reasons to stop the bloody revolution. While the two hunt each other across the country, the Empire's warships are landing in two weeks to exterminate everyone with silver eyes. If Lucas and Faye can't unite their forces against the imperial fleet, there will soon be nothing left of the people they're both trying to liberate.

A Ballad for Slayers & Monsters by Rita A. Rubin

Kas of Veldenier is a Slayer, a travelling monster hunter for hire. Claudia of Trulio is half-human, half-vampyric. Half monster. They should be nothing more than enemies. But when the long-lost remnant of the dragon Ombral turns up, and with it the possibility of unleashing the dragons to wreak havoc on Vil Tresar as they did long ago, Kas and Claudia’s paths converge. Through a shared desire to keep the dragons from returning, they embark on a quest to see the remnant destroyed. Along the way, they will encounter fearsome monsters as well as a burgeoning desire for each other. Can a monster and a monster slayer truly find love together? Pursuing them from the shadows is Serisa, a vampyric who wishes to see the world burn. And she will need the remnant to make that wish a reality…

Ruined History by Claudie Arseneault

Kraken Collective

Fate and friendship brought Horace, Rumi, Keza, and Aliyah together in Rumi’s sentient self-propelling wagon. They seek the forest haunting Aliyah’s dream, hoping for answers about the elf’s past and unique abilities—but first, they need to traverse a world haunted by Fragments, dangerous shards that can possess travellers and react to Aliyah’s presence. When the Archivists—a mysterious organization that has trailed the crew from the very start—capture everyone but Aliyah, however, their journey grinds to a halt. Still reeling from revelations about themselves, Aliyah must infiltrate the Archivists’ base to rescue their group. The place is half ruined city, half magical wonder—a labyrinth to navigate which will require the help of two unlikely allies: Fragment motes from past citizens willing to guide Aliyah. To confront the Archivists is to uncover more of the inextricable truths between Aliyah and the Fragments. With every new revelation, the fractures in the Wagon crew’s cohesion and Aliyah’s determination widen. Before they can travel onward, they will need to find the strength to bear the weight of their ruined history.

Motes of Inspiration by Claudie Arseneault

Kraken Collective

Fate and friendship brought Horace, Rumi, Keza, and Aliyah together in Rumi’s sentient self-propelling wagon. They seek the forest haunting Aliyah’s dream, hoping for answers about the elf’s past and unique abilities—but first, they need to traverse a world haunted by Fragments, dangerous shards that can possess travellers and react to Aliyah’s presence. They’ve reached Virze, a marvel of art and engineering and a city in which all acts of creation are beloved. A perfect occasion to explore and rest before the next leg of their journey… except that Rumi desperately wants to avoid his hometown and the demons of his past. When the Wagon crew realises half of those might be fears of his own making, however, they refuse to leave. But between the curse that ran him out of town and the source of his engineering skills, Rumi has been keeping even more secrets than they’d expected. He’ll need all their support to face the loved ones left behind and prove to all, himself first and foremost, what he is truly capable of.

Stories from the Deep by Claudie Arseneault

Kraken Collective

Fate and friendship brought Horace, Rumi, Keza, and Aliyah together in Rumi’s sentient self-propelling wagon. They seek the forest haunting Aliyah’s dream, hoping for answers about the elf’s past and unique abilities—but first, they need to traverse a world haunted by Fragments, dangerous shards that can possess travellers and react to Aliyah’s presence. They finally leave the coast to undertake a long ocean crossing filled with the sailors’ brand-new games and fearsome myths, but no one expects the latter to come to life. At sea, the Fragments that roam the world have coalesced into a gigantic beast—the kraken of legends—and unfortunately, it shares its landbound cousins’ obsession with Aliyah. The crew may have bested countless storms, but no amount of sea-worthiness can save the ship from the wrath of its colossal tentacles. If they want to escape the kraken and continue their journey, the wagon’s team will need to unravel more of the Fragments’ mysteries, and learn to listen beyond the murmur of the sea. -- Stories from the Deep is the fourth novella in The Chronicles of Nerezia, a queer fantasy series of found family road trips with aroace nonbinary leads.

The Death Made Prince by Lisette Marshall

A runewitch on the run has only one option left: join forces with the sarcastic, unpleasantly gorgeous necromancer she loathes The man Thraga loved is dead, and her future is in shambles. When she's sentenced to the gallows for killing her lover's murderers, it's a relief more than anything… until, the night before her execution, a necromancer is thrown into her cell. Escaping with him is her only chance to bring Lark back to life - and also the start of all her troubles. Because her new almost-ally is not just any man returned from death. Fire mage, rogue prince, and son of the man who killed her mother, sharp-tongued Durlain Averre is everything Thraga hates. Worse, he won't revive her lover unless she joins him on a mission of his own first, using her forbidden rune magic to free his sister from the dungeons of an enemy king. But their quest turns into a deadly chase when Thraga's violent past catches up with her. And as the net of court intrigue and old fears closes around them, she begins to find out Lark was not at all the man she thought he was… And neither is Durlain. The Death-Made Prince is the first book of the Runewitch Saga, an epic enemies to lovers fantasy romance featuring two morally grey leads, OCD rep, and a Norse mythology-inspired world. While it is a slow burn romance, the first book does contain spicy content intended for 18+ readers

The Poison Daughter by Sheila Masterson

To err is human. To avenge is Divine. Every person Harlow Carrenwell kisses dies immediately, and that’s the way she likes it. The poison-lipped youngest daughter of Lunameade’s magical founding family has used her power to annihilate their opposition. Her first husband is in the ground. Her new betrothed is next. But the merry widow has a secret. When she’s not acting as an assassin at her parents' whims, she moonlights as a vigilante for abused women in their walled-off city. Meet a man. Lure him in. Kill him with a kiss. Until one night Harlow kisses a mark and he doesn’t die. Worse, her invincible partner in passion is her new betrothed, Henry Havenwood, and now he knows about her double life. Instead of selling her out and bringing the rival families to blows, he does something much more sinister—whisks her away to wed in his wild mountain fort. Harlow doesn’t trust Henry, but the only way to protect her family and the city of Lunameade is to figure out what his family is planning. Cursed with a husband she can’t kill and trapped in a fort miles of vampire-infested woods from home, Harlow’s survival requires her to do the impossible: Make the man who knows she’s a killer fall in love with her anyway. The Poison Daughter is a standalone dark fantasy romance that combines the vigilante justice for abusive men of Promising Young Woman with a romantasy arranged marriage and a dash of vampires

Bound in Flames by Missy S Castillo

Captured by the enemy. Marked by ancient magic. Claimed by a beast... When Cleo is rescued by Dex, a ruthless orc chieftain of the Blackfoot Clan, she’s thrust into a world ruled by savage loyalty and primal power. For centuries, the humans and orcs have been locked in brutal war after the Ostelan Crown broke the ancient treaties, driving the orcs into hiding. Now, Cleo’s untamed magic is the key to saving the orcs—but it also tempts her with a darkness she may not escape. As her power grows and her bond with Dex deepens, she faces an impossible choice: choose to fulfill the prophecy, sacrificing herself, or surrender to the seductive magic and risk everything to be with the one she loves. Dex has vowed to protect his people at any cost, even if it means using the woman fate has bound to him. But Cleo’s fire stirs something primal in him—something far more dangerous than war. As tensions rise and the stakes grow higher, Dex must decide whether his duty to his clan outweighs the undeniable pull of his heart.

Songs of Broken Bells by Lilly Lockwood

The hungry flame inside Líadan has been silent, kept hidden, for the last fifteen years. But something has called out to it, awakening it from its slumber. And it is oh so ready to burn. Vasil, her best friend and the one sworn to end her life should her magic reappear, defies his pact and spares her. He vows to keep Líadan safe, no matter the cost. Minno, a follower of the saint of truth, was never meant to find themselves caught up in the wildfire of Líadan's life. But the fates must have had another path in mind for them. Aila, the god of entropy's daughter, promises herself as Líadan's only chance at surviving the torment of the hungry flame. Though, perhaps even the child of a god lacks faith sometimes. Their fates are intertwined in the never-ending motion of the Maelstrom, and it is their choice alone to decide if they walk the road The Fates set before them, or choose another path.

Name Her Holy by Aubrey Ennis

Where the weave between worlds thins, a long buried shadow rises from its grave among the stars and seeks vengeance on the Vale. A Herald has been named to mark its ascension— a woman resurrected by The Seeker’s hand and placed in the pious care of the Vigil Order. A once disgraced daughter of her noble house, Kye Liatris is crowned a living saint, one tasked with stopping the coming cataclysm. Kye has lived on borrowed time since, aiding the Vigil while quietly enduring worsening ailments. When a strange blight brings death to the valley of Jude Arendell’s home village, she finds herself swept up in the Vigil’s fight. But in taking up her mother’s sword, Jude learns that her family legacy was not as it seemed. As stars extinguish and the threads that bind the Vale swiftly unravel, so do the long trusted stories of history past. Now Kye and Jude must decide whether to follow their divine callings or scorn the gods and place their trust in each other. Book One of the Hallowed Duology.

Son of the Thunder Goddess by Andrew LiVecchi

"David and Goliath meets Greek Mythology in this tale of war, gods, and insurmountable odds that fits seamlessly into your lunch hour." - FanFiAddict EVEN GODS DIE. The city of Bridunum is besieged. Saorlach the demigod leads an army of thousands to its walls, eager to pillage and kill. Covered from head to toe in tattooed runes, he bears the blessing of the gods themselves. No weapon can pierce his skin. One by one, Saorlach challenges the champions of Bridunum, taunting and killing them at will. Heroes fall. Morale weakens. Saorlach’s victory is imminent. Only one man can stand against him. Athewain, a lowly shepherd of Logren’s countryside, longs for a life of heroic adventure. When Saorlach’s warriors slaughter his village, he sets out on a quest for vengeance, assisted by an ancient, long-forgotten god known only as the Maker. Now, Athewain must wield the power of this unknown deity to defeat his divinely-protected enemy and thwart his bloody dreams of conquest. But there are enemies within Bridunum as well as without. And the gods, once angered, do not forgive. If Athewain fails, his dream of justice dies with him. And all of Logren will fall to ruin. Son of the Thunder Goddess is an epic fantasy novella inspired by the myth and history of Celtic, Iron-Age Britain. It features feuding gods, immersive worldbuilding, and epic, visceral battles. Great for fans of John Gwynne and Anthony Ryan. Pick up your copy today! "An epic story that will make you hold your breath until the very end." - Millie Abecassis, author of Daughters of the Blue Moon "This book is perfect for epic fantasy lovers." - Kate, Goodreads reviewer. "This is probably one of my favorite novellas I have read." - Kaylee, Goodreads reviewer

The Scion Conspiracy by Mike Cahoon

What is The Scion Conspiracy? During a burgeoning Age of Exploration, a conspiracy of deadly politics and dark magic is abducting children from across the continent for unknown purposes. Disgraced Prince Cassius Roth delves into the tangled web of lies and violence, unprepared for the just how far it stretches. From an exalted performer to the Gifted son of a merchant sailor, to a notorious outlaw and a hardened conwoman, no one is above being ensnared in the mysterious conclave’s ambitions. But are they only pieces in a greater game or will they rise to orchestrate their own plans? As the greatest powers in the world fight for control over the New World, alliances shift by the moment and no one’s future is set in stone. The conspiracy weaves its plots and nations are dragged along in its wake, forever defining all that follows in the first installment of this dark fantasy epic.

A Forgotten Legend by T.M. Baylor

If one thing is true, it is that peace is a fragile thing in Eterin. The Lupegi province, Davegu kingdom, and the wilds of Andyse are anything but united, a tense alliance being the only thing stopping the world from plunging into chaos and death. When a Lupegi mission goes missing under mysterious circumstances and the Southern Coalition of Andyse is attacked during a time of peace, people from all across Eterin end up thrown into the fray. Ancient stories and long forgotten legends are their new truths as they must figure out how to navigate the now treacherous lands of Eterin and keep themselves alive against all odds. ​​--- A Forgotten Legend is an epic dark fantasy that follows six POV characters from across the world of Eterin. It centers themes of truth, the nature of resistance, propaganda, and the importance of knowing history to understand the present. Features LGBTQIA+ and women characters. Intended for mature audiences, please check the content warnings. First book of The Secrets of Eterin series.

Whispers of the Storm by Z.B. Steele

REDLIN OF THE WOLVES VANGUARD, LEGEND, ASSASSIN, REAPER Listen to my story I wasn't always the monster they see me as. Half of the songs they sing are stories of my grandeur. The other half are tales of my misdeeds. The sad truth is that they're all true. So, listen to my tale and learn why it all happened. Learn the reason for the war, the reason for all the death. Listen to my tale and listen well. I won't be alive long enough to tell it again. A moody, banter-laced, violent, and poetic framed story - Z.B. Steele presents Whispers of the Storm, book one of Song of the Damned.