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Island of the Dying Goddess by Ronit J On the island of eternal grief Even the gods have died a thousand deaths My name is Anawar, and I am an immortal explorer. A few days ago, I was stranded on Sawarrgh, an island where everything looks twisted and the air smells of mourning. The atmosphere has forced suppressed memories to resurface. I have to consciously keep them at bay, or I won’t be able to survive this island’s horrors. There’s Ghaph, the mad warmongering god who mutilates his enemies and patches on their dismembered limbs. Then there’s Ndraja, the goddess who can enslave entire kingdoms with just her thoughts. But the worst is the nameless Goddess who created Sawarrgh a millennia ago, caging it in a barrier that reverses time, forcing the island to relive the same year over and over. Sawarrgh is a nightmare come alive. Here, existence itself is a curse. The living are barely alive. The stranded, condemned. I need to escape this island, and in doing so free Sawarrgh from its perpetual punishment. And the only way to do that is to kill the Goddess. Elden Ring meets A Fistful of Dollars in this stand-alone horror grimdark fantasy |
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The Freedom You Seek by Emily Villin “I’d rather die before ever making you mine—but that doesn’t mean anyone else can have you.” —— A man with many secrets, a woman desperately fighting for independence, a mission that leads them and their company towards unknown mysteries they are desperate to unravel because the world could soon depend on it—literally. —— What would you do if everything you knew was a lie? When you found out there was so much more to your world than you were taught? I never expected that my parents’ failed attempt to arrange my marriage would lead me to leave the small town I’ve known my entire life. What started as a journey to escape the law soon shattered my worldview and dismantled everything I believed to know. Suddenly, being hunted is only the smallest of my problems. Not only am I on a chase for truth and unraveling mysteries, but I also need to navigate the minefield that is Dion. The soldier who rescued me has a nasty temper, and—for someone who loves to be in charge—he has extremely little impulse control. But if he thinks I would simply submit to his antics, he is wrong. Just because he and his men helped me in a difficult situation and possess more knowledge about hidden truths from the past, it doesn’t mean I simply submit and be the docile woman society expects me to be. I have no wish to bind myself to anyone, not to my father, not to some rich betrothed, or to an arrogant bastard, no matter how attractive he is. —— “The Freedom You Seek” is the first installment in the “A Requiem for Fading Worlds” dark romantic fantasy series. The story centers on Nayana, an ordinary small-town woman with a rebellious streak who gets involved in a mission bigger than herself; and Dion, a flawed soldier with a bad temper and a massive ego who tries to leave his past behind. Together with Dion’s comrades, the two embark on a journey into the heart of history and soon find out that sometimes, someone has to step up to try to save everything. The novel tells a story about unraveling mysteries, self-discovery, uncovering the truth, and maybe even saving the world, which actually might be easier than dealing with love. Perfect for fans of character-driven dark romantic fantasy with a plot that starts small, but escalates over the course of the series. Full of slow burn, angst and romantic tension, mutual pining, found family, mysteries, magic, overcoming trauma, as well as finding your place in a world that seems already doomed. Lastly, this story is for you if you love a walking red flag— a morally gray and possessive male main character whose secrets are as dark as the magic he wields. This book is 18+ and contains difficult topics. Please mind the trigger warnings. This novel is written in first person past tense with dual points of view. The story contains spice and shadows. The pepper rating will increase throughout the series. |
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When the constant war between the two nations reaches the doorsteps of the Crescent Moon Pavilion, Sinialli’s life is turned completely around and she is left with nothing but memories of better times. She prays for release and to join her family, to become one with them, but the gods have other plans. With the scents of magic surrounding her and guiding her, Sinialli knows what she has to do. She knows this would be the last sunset she would ever see, if she ever even makes it to sunrise. And she knows, as the best courtesan in all of Trace, what it would take to make sure she and her family would be remembered forever. |
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Fallen Knight by Ceril N Domace Leon Quinn has two goals in life: stay out of the reach of the Templesbane and drink himself unconscious whenever he can afford it. The first is because the Templesbane wiped out his home and family among the Knights Vigilant when he was a child, destroying everything he knew and loved in one night. The second is to help him sleep when the memories of the first overwhelm him. But he can’t avoid his past forever. His mercenary work has brought him back to Mezeldwelf, the city he fled to after the downfall of the Knights Vigilant, and to his estranged father just in time to get embroiled in a scheme that threatens the very foundation of the city. A scheme that could see Mezeldwelf, its people, and its gods handed over to the Templesbane. To protect the city and man that adopted him, Leon will need to confront the ruins of the life he left behind and the horrors that threaten the life he’s cobbled together since then. |
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Tales of Piecora - The Emerald Cave by Jason Behnke Serpendis Endium, Master Merchant of Kannoniah and sole survivor of a disastrous trip across the unmappable Wildlands visiting the Banwar east of Sienja, only wished to return home to his warm bed, but not until he found something – anything – valuable to at least justify this whole hell-rotten adventure besides his own soiled robes. But here in the chaotic Wildlands, his only chance of survival depended on his newly acquired Sienjan Guide, Piecora Tiorold, whom he despised despite her expertise in navigating the Wildlands better than anyone else in the world. Things were going smoothly until the old, wealthy curmudgeon wandered into a forbidden cave and discovered the cursed emeralds, waylaying their journey into a hair-raising, reality-hopping, high-stakes adventure that neither of them asked for. But through grim determination, self-discovery, and the bonds of friendship old and new, they and others they meet along the way learn that the only way home is through a bargain with the Aeonwyrm of Kiahalla to save the Undying Lands of the Eldar from a powerful sorceress who has found the secret of intentional navigation between the planes of reality, threatening the very existence of humankind. |
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Where Do The Dead End Up? by Priyanka Nawathe Six stories to chill your spine and three poems to keep you enthralled to the words written for the dead. Tales from beyond the veil of darkness will draw you into their world as journeys never end with death, but simply begin a new chapter. WICKED HEARTS Dive into a magical journey with Sandi Terise who has made killing the Wicked Witch of the Waste her sole purpose in life. KILLJOY Spend a day in the life of Mercy Dramond, a psychiatrist who savors every moment of her work life. HEAL BOY, HEAL! A premed intern faces the biggest challenge towards becoming a Healer. I SCREAM FOR ALIVESTREAM Ghosts of children return to celebrate their anniversary with the chef who baked them pies. MONSTROUS METAMORPHOSIS Mystiq comes face to face with a monster who wants to use her powers to break the barrier between humanity and monstrosity in order to bring someone back from the brink of death. COMING TO HELL IN A HANDBASKET Reaper visits the mausoleum awaiting a special gift to satisfy the twins who rule all Hell. These stories are a preview into six different book series. |
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The Last Dragon Knight by Tim Akers Betrayed by his friends. Driven from the land he swore to protect. Hunted by the legions of Hell. Cursed to carry the Dragon's fury in his soul. Determined to survive. Corem Holt was once an assassin, before he was a warrior. Before he was a cataclysm in the shape of a man. Blessed by the Crow and cursed by the Dragon, he fled the destruction of his homeland. It was a destruction for which he was responsible. To his friends, he is a traitor. To his enemies, he is the last real threat in their endless war. Both will hunt him to the ends of the earth. And so he hides. He tries to live a simple life, to survive, to be happy. But mostly, he tries to forget what he has done. All that comes undone when his past catches up to him. What starts as a chance encounter with an old enemy rapidly devolves into a battle for life and death, not just for Corem, but for the people he's come to love while in hiding. To save them, he must make one last stand far from home, far from the throne he was sworn to protect, far from the memories that brand him a traitor. For anyone else, it would be impossible. For Corem, it's inevitable. Because he's not just a hero. He's the last Dragon Knight. |
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Hammer of Gath: A Tale of Rehavan by Justin Rose “The blow struck in anger always returns to the striker.” In a time millennia before the Golden Iris reigned supreme, before Salinor and the race of men ever dreamed of nationhood, the elven empire of Elisidor stands as Rehavan’s greatest power. To their east lies the ocean, to their west lies Gath, the sprawling democracy of the minotaurs, their only option for expansion. As both nations grow and swell, one lusting for mineral wealth, the other for fertile land, differences in belief and custom become divisive. Factions rise desirous of conquest. A chance misfortune sparks bloodshed, and as this bloodshed increases, two blacksmiths from opposing cultures find themselves thrust into prominence, living out their personal grudge on the stage of international war. The war ravages Rehavan, casting doubt upon ancient customs, religious teachings, and ideals, and ultimately posing the question: What is the nature of power? * * * Hammer of Gath is the first novel in the "Nations End" series. |
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Ageless Part 2: A Tale of Rehavan by Justin Rose “Most men would need a century to justify one hour of their life.” In a stone keep in Gath Moran, Hefthon sits and scribbles—histories, ramblings, songs. His immortal blood stirs in his ancient veins. He longs for risk, to hazard the life that comes so cheaply. In Elisidor, in his fortress Ordúil, Belisari sits and combs black dye into his hair, plasters pale cream on wrinkling skin. His time dwindles. He dreads risk, to hazard his numbered seconds. He longs for lost immortality. When an elven scholar named Ta’Hrada shakes off the dust of his libraries and leads elven Elisidor in rebellion, Salinor’s emperor calls on Aeschulin, the new master of Gath Odrenoch’s Guards, to put down the fledgling revolt. In turn, Aeschulin enlists the service of two very different men—his brother Hefthon and Belisari, an old and almost forgotten friend. *** Ageless: Part II is the third and final novel in the “First Immortals” series and a sequel to Ageless: Part I. |
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Ageless: Part 1: A Tale of Rehavan by Justin Rose Monster Hunters. Such is the trite name given both in reverence and in scorn to the family of Reheuel. Nearly a hundred years have passed since the recovery of Ariel’s Tear, and still they spend their immortal lives as guards, only now of a nation rather than a city. Bastard. Such is the name held by Belisari, a strange and ageless miner toiling in the earthen bowels of backwater Serendin. For fifty years he has labored in obscurity, weighed down by the unmet responsibility of his high birth. When the Monster Hunters of Gath Odrenoch pass through Serendin, Belisari grasps at his first chance to find something higher, driven by the guidance of an unknown god and the conviction of his hidden heritage. What follows is a journey which shakes the faith of immortals and rattles the cages of oath-bound gods. * * * Ageless: Part I is the second novel in the “First Immortals” series and a sequel to Ariel’s Tear. |
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Ariel's Tear: A Tale of Rehavan by Justin Rose "Beauty is always worth protecting." Set in the fictional world of Rehavan, Ariel's Tear tells the story of Reheuel, Captain of the Guards in the small human city of Gath Odrenoch. An aging soldier haunted by memories of his bloody youth, Reheuel lives a sedate but contented life with his family. Disillusioned with warfare and the glories of his nation's conquests, he raises his children to value beauty and the wonders that enrich their lives. His peaceful world shatters, however, when a tribe of goblins threatens both Gath Odrenoch and the nearby Fairy City. Intent on saving his family and on protecting the innocence of the childlike fairies, Reheuel sets off on a journey to save both cities. Lifting his sword once more, he rediscovers the true cost of earthly beauty. |
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The Fall of Ingway by Justin Rose NOTE: The Fall of Ingway is published as a full cast audio drama and as an annotated script. This story is intended primarily for audio, and though its print and Ebook versions are enjoyable and interesting to read, they are a script, not a novel. Ingway is a being of many names: Death God, Reaper, Ferryman, He-Who-Comes-When-The-Last-Sigh-Leaves. He is a figure of terror and mystery, riding through shadows, leading the dead to the halls of judgment. Ominous and cold, even to his fellow gods. Join this strange and soft-voiced god, this being with the wrath of the universe bound in his aching soul, as he drifts closer and closer to the edge of rebellion, as he lingers longer among the souls he is meant only to reap, as he draws closer to the goddess Mercy and learns--to love. Listen to the stories of the flesh folk below, lovers and monsters, guards and princes, kings and queens, souls moved on a chessboard set by the gods of Duty and Vanity. See how their paths cross with the path of Ingway, how men and women alter gods, how gods alter men and women. Prepare yourself for The Fall. |
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People of the Stone by B. M. Thompson When worlds collide, the alliance between Peretos and Bellum—cities long ago sundered—is renewed. War preparations begin in the combined army of the Joiners of Peretos and the soldiers of Bellum. Their goal is to eradicate the menace of the Stone People. While the coalition is a beacon of hope, darkness festers at its heart. Across the Wasteland in the wake of the Uprising, Jorisfell's families remain broken as bereft parents brave the Wasteland to find their exiled children and bring them home. Those left behind continue digging into the stone, fighting for survival in the face of new dangers. The mysteries of Eleytia's past deepen as the search for the cryptic Restoration prophecies ranges from the record rooms of Bellum to the bowels of the Wasteland. When opposing cultures collide, secrets are revealed and age-old, fanatical convictions are upended. Who—or what—is at the heart of these prophecies? Will the answers bring restoration? Or destruction? |
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Legend of the Stone by B. M. Thompson A thousand years ago, the Ruination turned Eleytia to stone. The sky burned red, the waters became toxic, and the animals changed into monsters. The humans unlucky enough to be caught outside the safety of their city walls mutated into the deadly Stone People. They now seek to scour the last of humanity off the face of Eleytia. Pockets of humanity scratch a meager existence out of the stone Wasteland, unaware of one another and unsure if they are the only humans who survived the cataclysm. In these disparate cities, a young woman is exiled, a defiant soldier deserts a cruel army, and a childless mother vows to save her family. Stories are told of the mythical—possibly supernatural—Joiners and the amazing feats they once performed. Like the living things that tell them, fables are transformed with age, becoming more confusing and conflicting with each passing year. Are the Joiners Eleytia's salvation? Or the curse that caused the Wasteland in the first place? |
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Bonds of Blood & Silver by Sandy Butchers The Gods are Dead. All of them but Skjall. Haunted by dark magic, poor choices, and a lifetime of bad luck, Skjall spends his days hiding from heathens who wish to complete the deicide he survived centuries ago. When an ambush set by a member of the royal court reveals his identity, he finds himself thrown down a rabbit hole of kill-or-be-killed decisions. Without the vigilance of the gods, two remaining kings harvest their people in pursuit of immortality, and a twisted wish to ascend the divine throne. However, being the only deity left alive, Skjall’s blood is the key to said throne, and he stands powerless as divinity balances on the brink of extinction. With the war between the mad monarchs reaching a boiling point, the victims of their power struggle pile up. Skjall’s desperation leads him to a group of local, shape-shifting warriors and witches. But with the arrival of alchemically enhanced monster-soldiers, he finds himself on the losing end. Skjall must do everything he can to keep his blood from enemy hands, lest they use it to bend him to their will, reshaping the world into a breeding ground for monsters and false gods. |
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Reverting Scales by The Illogic Naydrus is a dragon born to immense parents who live with and serve humans. When the dragonling hatches, it is revealed that she doesn't look anything like her family and she has a passion for fighting. However, she also carries a deep hatred for the hominid 'caretakers'. This inspires her escape from the city through the sewer system and her search for other dragons that share her mindset. However, the world is a big place and very old. Much has happened and continues to happen without Naydrus being aware of it, causing her to cross paths with dangerous individuals and end up in hazardous locations. |
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The Elf Witch by Jacquelyn Gilmore For fans of One Dark Window and From Blood and Ash comes a haunting, slow-burn fantasy romance about villains. It follows a formerly magicless elf as she suddenly comes into powers that her kingdom has never seen and the duplicitous prince she must bargain with to save them at whatever cost—even her soul. After her grandmother's execution, a formerly magicless elf is suddenly the most powerful witch in her village. Magic is disappearing, though, and Imani is thrust into the treacherous court of her kingdom, forced into trials against the most lethal witches in the world. As she unravels the perilous plan her grandmother plotted before her death to save magic, Imani unwittingly dives deeper into a web of magical and political intrigue that puts her on a collision course with dangers beyond anything she imagined. But Imani is harboring illicit knowledge of her own—a forbidden dark magic that’s getting more difficult to hide by the day. Now, she must decide whether to make herself a threat and an enemy to her country or risk becoming a pawn and the realm losing magic forever. Stuck in this predicament, Imani sees only one path forward: a dangerous deal with the duplicitous prince—one she might be falling for. |
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The Battle of Euangelion: Reborn by S Steyn The first book in a coming-of-age series about the origins of evil on Earth and the supernatural struggle for humanity’s redemption. The epic unravels through the adventures and misadventures of eighteen-year-old Alexis Sharp and her unlikely friends as they navigate trials, quests, and secrets that transcend both time and space. Humanity’s future is tucked away in a wretched prison world. A home to deviant rebels who once betrayed the very magic they were created with. Old magic. This story more or less hinges on old magic and those it emanates from. It’s an extremely pure and powerful kind of magic, but also peculiar. As pure as it is, it allowed, for instance, a jealous and spiteful rebel to spearhead mutiny against a father - a King who had the audacity to gift his only son and heir with a Realm of his own. A catastrophic civil war followed and contributed to the downfall of the Prince’s young world and all its inhabitants. Their original greatness was doomed to ebb away as darkness gradually took over. The Prince petitions to ransom mankind from the Scale of Justice; the price being codified and presently hidden in an age-old Prophecy. All we know for certain is that human recruits are to participate in the battle to come as the Great Wizard of Sanctum oversees their transformation. Prince Salvatore needs an army. Alexis Sharp is numbered among the newest recruits. Quick to temper and slow to listen, she must learn to find her place and way on the mystical Isle of Sanctum where humans enjoy immunity and immortality as they prepare for war. The forces in the neighboring Realm of Nullius Terram aren't stagnant either. On the contrary, they’re proliferating. The veil between Nullius Terram and the Kingdom of Euangelion still stands in the exiled Diabolus' way, but for how long? This war is written in destiny, and if there’s anything we know about destiny it’s that you can’t outrun, outsmart, or even outwait it. Providence begins to pull the thread when a secret quest in search of a mysterious artifact intertwines with the discovery of the Prophecy. A human bloodline is implicated, and a Chosen One is named. Alexis and her unlikely friends hang in the balance as they try to navigate through an impossible mission. |
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Silent is the Sword by Evelyn Grimald Stone Elyria Trevain is shrouded by silence and surrounded by books. She speaks only to those she trusts implicitly, using the signed language with the rest of the world. Her life in the Great Archives is full of quiet and the whisper of paper and ink that her scribe magic controls. It is a quiet life. A good life built upon the ruins of her past. Until one day her city is attacked and the man she thinks she loves is kidnapped. Elyria volunteers to go after him, knowing that the path will take her to the childhood home she swore to forget. Accompanied by a mysterious cat who speaks to her of books and magic, she ventures into the world beyond the Archives. Into a world of forgotten sorcery rediscovered. Into a world of dead gods and a tormented angel that fills her dreams. Into a world where her silence is not just a shroud, but a weapon. Silent is the Sword is an epic fantasy where the forgotten past is rearing its head, where magic takes hold, and where love crosses memory and magic to keep the world from burning. |
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Vengeance Borne: Book Five of New Blood by W.D. Kilpack III January 2025 Editor's Choice, BooksShelf.com The future of Mankind relies on the Guardian of Maarihk. Can Natharr, Ellis the Elder, and the Knights of Ril endure tragedy to stave off Mankind's dark future? The past and present collide, forcing Natharr and the rest of the Rilari to struggle with the consequences of their absence, past choices, and the power of the Usurper’s vizier left unchecked for far too long. The strain proves too much for some, requiring hard decisions to prepare for a dark future racing toward the Guardian of Maarihk, Ellis the Elder, and the Knights of Ril. All that two generations of Guardians have planned from what their Sight revealed is on the brink of failure. They split their forces to race against time, gambling that thinner numbers will endure on diverging paths toward victory. Meanwhile, Nathan fights to deal with great loss and a change of course in his life in the Maarihk Empire as it plants new seeds yearning for a single goal: vengeance. "W.D. Kilpack III writes an outstanding new volume! In Vengeance Borne, the reader is brought right back into the New Blood Saga. If you haven't read the volumes before it, I recommend that you do. You get a better understanding of the characters, their growth throughout this epic saga, but also who is important, and who may just be in the background, but everyone has their purpose in the story. I am a big fan of this author, and especially this saga. It is a long story with a lot of needed detail and it is full of action, twists and unpredictability. This story is a definite attention grabber, so much I couldn't put it down! It is a gripping and incredible story. It is always an honor to read Kilpack's books. It's a great plot to follow and try to figure out what will happen next. Natharr once again has to save humanity, or at least mankind, as it is dependent on the Guardian. This story brings the past and present to the forefront, and sparks definitely fly! Some are determined to keep their world, while others may be defeated. Vengeance Borne is a definite recommendation!" — Amy's Bookshelf Reviews |
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Daughters of the Wind: Bloodline Progenitors, book 2 by Leigh Saunders Janek, Grand Vizir of Kushar, has done the unthinkable, kidnapping the last known weather witches – the twin daughters of the Gerlachi king – in an effort to claim the gift of their bloodline magic for the Kushari people. But rumors of weather witches in Kushar are spreading, sending Zoya, spymaster of Tzigane, on a quest to learn if they are, in fact, her queen’s missing sisters. At the same time, the twins, chafing at the gilded cage of their long confinement, have demands of their own – demands which may disrupt Janek’s carefully orchestrated plans, thwart Zoya’s rescue efforts, and shatter centuries of fragile peace between their three countries. |
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The Source of Strife by Alex Arch Energy can neither be created nor destroyed. Only stolen. Mages feed on catalysts like Dinnie to enhance their spells, and since she’s the most formidable weapon alive, they will stop at nothing to control her. Even her parents, leaders of warring realms, wage a battle for her custody, imprisoning her to prevent the other from gaining the upper hand. No more. For the first time in her fourteen years, Dinnie isn’t alone. With the help of Ghost, a glum deserter shackled to his past, she intends to flee this madness. But as they witness the horrors unleashed to retrieve her, one thing becomes clear: Her parents will never abandon their claim. Death and destruction follow in Dinnie’s wake, and she must decide if her freedom is worth the cost. |
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Queen of Sand and Stone by Leigh Saunders For centuries, the weather witches have ruled Nizam, protecting the oasis city from the devastating sandstorms that threaten its existence. But the aging queen is dying, and Yolara, the heir to the throne, does not possess the gift of weather magic found only in her family line. Hers is the power over stone, the ability to command the shifting sands - but not the winds that drive them across the desert. Will those who question Yolara's right to rule be proven right? Or can Yolara find a way to defend the city that does not rely on weather magic? Time is short, for the storm season is upon them, and the next storm could reach the city any day... |
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The Fall of Selvandrea by Tim J. McKay Remember the wolf. Remember what's out there in the dark. Valdaris was a middling artillery captain before his people fell to a conquering rival. Then he fell further still, snatched from the battlefield by a ruthless cult and cast into the depths of ultimate evil. Transformed by powers he can’t begin to understand, Valdaris seeks revenge on those who tried to destroy him. Instead, he’ll face monsters beyond his most terrifying nightmares. He joins with allies caught in the chaos of his war with evil, oblivious to his true nature and the darkness closing in on their world. Full of dragons, monsters, found family, magical weapons, intense duels, and epic battles, The Fall of Selvandrea follows a vigilante’s quest against malice, greed, and the shadow within. Heroes and villains join against the rising dark, and against a tyrant whose schemes may destroy them all. And from calamity’s ashes, a new power shall rise. |
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In the Name of Honor by Courtney & Clarke Collins What would you risk to save someone you loved from a fate worse than death? A half-elven princess, grieving the loss of one father and fearing for the other. A loyal guardsman, torn between his oath to the king and her safety. And a creature so bent on revenge, he’ll make the world kneel to hurt them all. Of all the messages Dimitar’s carried, he now delivers the worst of all: vile Corrupted creatures have returned and murdered the king’s best friend. The king leaves to seek retribution, and gives Dimitar an order he doesn’t expect: guard the princess, Kaleela. When Corruptors then kidnap her father, she insists on rescuing him. Dimitar must break his vow to keep her safe in the kingdom, and together infiltrate the enemy’s lair… unless the Corrupted capture Kaleela first. Fans of epic fantasy with romance will fall into this character-driven world and thrilling new adventure, where a rescue mission turns into a chase, and only the princess or the king can be saved. |
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An Empty Embrace by Cyril Mezden Submit. Repent. Obey. Celest was raised to follow. Trained from an early age to be a cleric, the elf has lived his life fully devoted to the goddess of the sun and the doctrine of his citadel. Newly paired with his teammates, Sable, a quick-witted halfling witch, and Viktor, a bull-headed half-orc warrior, the three are swallowed into a dark city, long forgotten by the world from which they came. There, they find a family wracked by fear. A man of unquenchable thirst haunts the rain-soaked nights, preying off the living. But, when his interest is piqued upon first meeting the considerate Celest, all else seems unimportant. Armed with unnatural beauty, a silver tongue, and a wicked smile, the vampire begins his intimate pursuit to cage the cleric’s heart. AN EMPTY EMBRACE is a chilling tale of queer love and twisted intentions. |
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The Rise of the Darkest Flame by Katherine Whiteheart Banished from her life of luxury and her high-ranking status in the Credulan Court, Carys Elletara had no other option than to become comfortable in her life of servitude. Working as a farm-hand, far away from the only other life she knew, her world comes crumbling down when the King and Queen die unexpectedly. To make this tragedy even more life altering, Carys is dragged back to Credula (kicking and screaming) to marry the heir to the throne. Damieren Thepyra is the crown prince of a crumbling kingdom on the cusp of war and the biggest thorn in her side. Once best friends, once lovers, and now strangers having to set aside their differences and a pain-filled past in order to rebuild their kingdom. Faced with the traumas of their past, healing, forgiveness, and discovering oneself, The Rise of the Darkest Flame is tale of second chances and finding power in truth. |
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The Sword of Digez by Stephen J Prendergast A cry for help. A glowing sword. A swirling shadow. Under a full moon, Medieval reenactors Allen Josephson and Jason Elser rescue a woman fighting off three man-wolves in a live oak grove. Incredibly, as Allen stabs one his sword bursts into green fire, reducing the monster to ash. The woman then draws the men into a looming darkness among the trees, that transports them to a fantastic realm beyond anything they had ever dreamed of. In Zhir, Allen and Jason struggle to reconcile their contemporary American reality with a truly Medieval world. A world that is facing destruction by the Emperor Khaghan, who plans to bring Tuphrak, the God of Darkness, back from his banishment to the Plain of Temug. Can the two friends block a mountain pass without modern technology before an invasion dooms what little hope they have of returning home? And is return even possible? The Sword of Digez is the first installment of the six-volume portal fantasy-adventure series The Golden Zilant. The story brings Allen and Jason into an alternate reality just as all signs point to the fulfillment of ancient prophecies – prophecies that seem to include them. |
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Conquering Shadows by L. Cyrus Whelchel There is no greater monster than a lack of compassion towards those in need... Still reeling from uncovered secrets that turned his life upside down, Kai Travaldi is given little reprieve when the Grand Duchess tasks his party with a new mission amid Livoria's worsening civil Deliver a formal edict to the vaunted Hunter Corps in Kai's hometown of Havenfall, marshaling them for battle. Along the way, Kai and his friends find themselves tested unlike ever before. Mysterious illnesses, a pompous noble, and the monstrous beast Grimghast harass them at every corner, while the betrayal of a trusted ally leaves a member of the party in dire condition. Further complicating matters are Kai's growing feelings for not one, but two ladies in the party, putting him on a collision course with the vast influence of the Windbringer church. As the demons of his own past loom over him, Kai's resolve is pushed to the limit. Will he fulfill his oath to protect those he holds dear? Or will he lose everything to the shadows of fear that haunt him? |
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Relentless Blades by Russell Carroll Cross the wrong men and meet their blades! Unable to find his lost brother, and wracked by guilt, Grimlock toils as a scout in a frontier town while plotting where to search next. All the while, yearning for acceptance from the townsfolk who hate him because of his race. The peace he craves always eluding him. Vigilanton relishes the respect and fear he garners throughout town. It is a stark contrast to his treatment in the knighthood. But serving at the local crime lord’s whims and tarnishing his honor gnaws at his soul. Is he the failure his father always claimed? An ancient scepter’s discovery threatens to tip the balance of power, and the fiendish vragoths are hell-bent on seizing it. When Vigilanton’s knightly brother arrives to uncover the vragoth’s plot, it ignites the fuse on a deadly chain of events from which Grimlock and Vigilanton cannot escape. Now they must confront their haunted pasts and act. Neither sought to be allies, let alone heroes, but spilled blood unites them, propelling them on a bloody quest of vengeance. Vengeance is power! Vengeance is merciless! Vengeance is relentless! |
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Return of the Lost Ones by David Liberto A scion from a blessed line of warriors and an ingenious princeling must join forces against shadows and legendary evil. Enemies become friends, and legends become mentors in a new universe filled with lore spanning millennia. Villagers are disappearing amidst rumors of an ancient evil returning to Cordiae. As monsters of legend roam the nearby forest, Pol and Stefan must forge an unlikely alliance to thwart the impending doom. Embark on the epic origin story of Pol and Stefan in the Teresan Saga: BlueSteel Series – Book 1, where the fate of an entire nation hangs in the balance. |
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Empty Palace by Joseph S Samaniego Mages never had it easy, but being dark marked since birth and usually that’s a death sentence. With an innate darkness from within, it’s hard not to be consumed by the voices from the void. As her powers start to take control, Cailin embarks on a clandestine mission for the Shrouded Guild with deadly assassins carrying their own secrets, fighters with blades as sharp as their loyalty, and mages with pasts as dark as the night. Their mission, to stop the rampant magical beast attacks. However, as Cailin’s dark and twisted visions increase and more of the world becomes clear, the magical attacks take on new meanings when the source is discovered. Now the motley crew of killers, and one scholar, has to find a new way to survive an onslaught from one of the most dangerous forces to ever rise from the face of the earth. All in a day’s work… What sort of future awaits the world when the darkest of powers seek to bring chaos into the world? Even the strongest feel weak at times, and even the bravest hesitate, but at what cost? Join Cailin and her motley crew as they journey into the heart of darkness to save their world from a fate worse than death. |
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Savage Blades by Joseph S Samaniego The bravest and best knights don't have a name. Famous knights die early deaths trying to make a name for themselves. Those type of knights aren't the type that you need protecting a village of peaceful fishermen. The type of knights you need are the ones with no names, no families, and nothing left to lose. Those are the ones that will do what it takes to defeat bandit raiders or die trying. When a peaceful village is suffering from raids from an army of deserters led by a ruthless man named Sancho, the villagers hire a group of veteran knights to protect them and teach them how to fight back. This group of knights, from different armies and past lives, join forces to use their unique and deadly skills to save the village. Famous knights, or those young pups seeking fame and fortune, need not apply. |
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Throne of Vanris by Nikki McCormack Kasiel and his unit have become heroes in Vanris. Unfortunately, hero status makes them targets on the front lines and is no help at all with affairs of the heart. Vanris’s leaders have differing opinions on what role the unit should have in the war and how Kasiel’s exceptional Feral ability should be utilized. With his romantic relationship a mess and his life constantly in danger, Kasiel hopes he can at least protect those he cares about, though his mind-crafting seems destined to put them in harm’s way. But the stakes change when he learns the dark secret behind his childhood abduction and his mother’s murder. He will have to take a pivotal role in the complicated politics of war and leadership if he wants to gain control of his future and try to end the war. More than ever, he must rely on his chosen family and beasts, but the secrets he carries could tear them apart. |
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Secrets of Urthis by KD Lumsden In a world where metal sings with raw power, Irwin Miner’s gift marks him as either savior or destroyer. For nineteen years, he survived his father’s brutality in the isolated mines of Urthis. Now his rare ability to manipulate metal has become both a blessing and a curse. Each surge of his growing powers draws him deeper into a realm of ancient mysteries and deadly secrets. When Irwin meets the captivating telepath Yace and her fierce shapeshifting companion Kipp, he dares to dream of belonging. But their fragile bond shatters as Yace vanishes after a devastating encounter with her past. Hunted by the tyrannical Ishik Empire and haunted by shadows that shouldn’t exist, Irwin must master his abilities before they consume him. Every ally could be an enemy. Every choice could lead to destruction. And somewhere in the darkness, Yace’s screams echo in his mind, driving him toward a confrontation that will shake the foundations of Urthis itself. With its unique magic system and unforgettable characters, “Secrets of Urthis” weaves a spellbinding tale of betrayal, redemption, and the price of power. Perfect for fans of Brandon Sanderson’s intricate world building and Sarah J. Maas’s emotional depth. Discover why readers can’t put down this stunning fantasy debut. Let the magic of metal sweep you away on an unforgettable adventure |
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The Legend of Uh by Aaron N. Hall Sir Dashing Junior was only knighted because they couldn't knight his father twice. Now he's determined to prove he's worthy of his new title. With an aspiring ranger, an awkward friar, and a book-loving orc, DJ will venture across the territory of Uh to reach the Amulet of the Goddess, proving that he’s truly worthy of knighthood. Along the way, he and his companions will encounter a cursed author, a violent noodle cult, democratic goblins, and a whole lot more. It’s a journey fraught with danger and discovery, and the territory is rich with monsters and magic, so is DJ’s quest for respect really worth the cost? |
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Chosen Of The Dark Realm by David Cornford It has been over a thousand years since the seals between this reality and the dark realm of Kur were broken and the wraith-like gallus invaded the continent of Dannum. When the former priest of An, Adaru, escapes from the tower where the restored seals lay that prevent the gallus from crossing realms, war consumes the land with Adaru's machinations. A kingdom falls, ancient powers awaken and the power of Kur is unleashed again. The guardian Nanaya and her companions barely stopped the gallus last time, but the Darisam civilisation was annihilated those 1000 years ago, and the land reduced to a poisoned desert, but for one ancient tower. Nanaya is forced to confront the terrors of her past, terrors that took everyone she ever cared for. Nanaya, now advisor to the present king of Southcastle. fears the past will repeat itself. Elsewhere, Baraka, a desperate treasure hunter from the arid Fringe States that border the vast desert of The Territory, discovers secrets that irrevocably change him; and Samuel, a young man working on his family's farm in the western kingdom of Royaume d'Occident, realises his dreams of adventure, but in doing so loses his innocence. Kur corrupts the land as Adaru moves closer to realising his terrible ambition of breaking the seals again and Nanaya, now the last guardian in Dannum, knows she is not strong enough to stand against him alone. |
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Kingdom of Embers and Ruin by N.E. Valla A continent divided. Rival kingdoms on the brink of war. Fates intertwined. A love that will spark the flame of rebellion. Maude has been running for most of her adult life; from her past and her future. She is an isolated pit fighter who would rather hit first and ask questions later with no other goal than to stay alive in the slums of Logi, the capital city of the Kingdom of Flame. Life had been anything but simple for Maude but it was still hers. But when a charming stranger hops into the fighting pit with her and forces her to face the growing unrest in Logi, Maude can feel the fates swirling around her once more. Herrick is a warrior from the Kingdom of Rivers who is on a mission to help the oppressed, low born citizens of Ahland. A strict believer in the fate that the gods laid out for him, Herrick follows his gut to Logi when dreams of Valkyries and flames plague him. He knows the brutally stubborn woman he finds in the illegal fighting pits is his fate when he aggravates her enough for her to lose her slippery grip on control, revealing her secret. She would be his salvation in this civil war against King Helvig of Logi... and his damnation. When the opportunity arrives for Herrick to persuade Maude to help him search for a rumored weapon that can take down the crooked king on the Throne of Wind and Flames, he quickly discovers that she is as frustrating as she is alluring to the warrior. Her past is a mystery that Herrick wants to unravel but Maude doesn’t give up bits of herself without a fight, even if she feels herself losing that fight every moment she spends in the aggravating warrior’s presence. Tempers flare and desires burn in this enemies to lovers Viking inspired fantasy imbued with elemental magic and civil unrest. Follow Maude and Herrick as they reluctantly work together to free Ahland from crooked rulers and restrictions that have the gods restless enough to begin pulling on the strings of fate, altering their lives as they know it. |
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The Destined Road by J.M. Testa Much of Vostheloren’s history is lost. The formerly united realms of men, elves, and dwarves have retreated to separate corners of the world, deeply suspicious of one another. Most remember only war, fear, and a darkness, known as the “horizon of storms,” that bloomed across the seas. Thousands of years have passed since the shadow first appeared, but now the evil, once thought vanquished, lies in wait, threatening to destroy all who challenge it. Tagwen Braithe, newly ascended queen of Yeacralas, the southern realm of men, has taken up the throne after the death of her father. She knows little of her world’s tumultuous past and even less about how to fill her father’s shoes. Many consider her title unearned, so when she answers an urgent call from a neighboring kingdom, she considers it her chance to prove her mettle to the people she is sworn to protect. But as she discovers, her journey will be the beginning of the world’s darkening end and she will be forced to embark on an odyssey that will take her beyond the call of duty and reveal her true destiny. |
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Silver Star, Red Dragon by C.A. Chaplin Immortal love begets immortal conflict. Millennia into a self-imposed solitude, elvish healer Cúraniel is content. She has her garden, the Great Tree, and her goddess. That is, until fate brings a dying soulmate to her hill. Twice. The Red Dragon, called the “God of Carnage” for all the elves he’s slain. An elf king, begging her to join his cause. Drawn into a mysterious war threatening the very existence of her people, Cúraniel must turn to their oldest enemy for aid; the Red Dragon himself. She is a moth to his destructive flame, but he loathes her other soulmate. The feeling is mutual, and backed by a court who blames her for the Dragon’s malice. Can Cúraniel make peace between her hostile soulmates, a society who shuns her, and the darkness threatening to swallow them all? “Silver Star, Red Dragon” is an epic dark romantic fantasy for those who wished “Lord of the Rings” had a bit more “Kushiel’s Dart.” |
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Undead Gods by Caitlyn Battelle WELCOME TO KAVA, WHERE THE UNDEAD GODS NEITHER HEAR NOR CARE…  Elysia Parker lives each day in fear it will be last.  The magic the gods carelessly gifted mortals disappeared years ago, and Elysia Parker is all too familiar with what happens when someone is found to be harboring magic in her land. Death.  Cursed but hiding in plain sight within Kava’s royal court, Elysia has her eyes on the crown and its prince. But an unexpected change in her magic throws her carefully laid plans into chaos. In love with the man who could order her death, she searches for an answer to her curse before it’s too late.  From underground tunnels to pleasure houses and rebels who demand payment of the highest kind, Elysia will journey to the death realm and back to find her answers.  But is she willing to face the harsh demands of the truth?   Inspired by Hades and Persephone, Undead Gods is a dark, moody fantasy filled with magic, danger, and a love that may be the heroine's downfall. Follow Elysia Parker into the soot drenched world of Kava as she navigates secrets, betrayal, and ultimately, finding herself amidst a world of lies. |
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The Faces of the Wood by Stephanie Kast Aristah Evermore has been living a life of responsibility, trying to keep her father from falling too far into the darkness. She has long since forgotten what it means to be a Wood Mage, living her life by floating from day to day; yearning for anything but her home. But when she finally steps out of her borders she sees that the lands she was so excited to explore are now turning into darkness. Even hiding in the comfort of the trees won’t help her now. The war between magic and those who fear it is beginning. Aristah has to make unlikely alliances. She must learn how to trust not only those who are willing to help her, but herself, especially if she wants to save everything around her she finds sacred. |
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The Way It Would Become by Amena Jamali Before the rise of the Quest of Freedom, their mothers and their fathers witnessed the darkening of the skies... Riqeta, Princess of Zahacim, is the most powerful warrior to stalk across eastern and southern Icilia. Both her skill and her honor in war are legendary, and her defection to her new husband’s nation is an upheaval of their world’s political balance. Yet beneath her fierce veneer is a woman unsure of how to love. Naman, Prince of Koroma, is renowned for his compassion and good heart, and his wedding to Riqeta renders him a political force to behold. Yet there is one flaw to his happiness — he cannot be sure whether Riqeta loves him. Not long after their wedding, the king gives Riqeta and Naman a mission of dire importance: resolve the growing insurgency in the south before it poses a true threat to the crown. Riqeta’s martial prowess and Naman’s benevolent voice surely can resolve anything. So they set out, thinking success will not be too difficult to achieve. But the evil festering in the south is unlike anything they could ever imagine… Will they even be able to see it to survive it? Amena Jamali continues on her literary career with a sweet yet haunting new adult fantasy tale of romance, home found through love, strong heroines, and gentle heroes that ponders at what it means to have courage in the face of evil. Fans of The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Eragon will savor this story of staying strong in dark times. |
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The Reverence Chosen by Amena Jamali With the reconquest of the nation of Nademan, some light has returned to the world of Icilia. The Quest of Freedom has been victorious in the first part of their war against the Blood-soaked Sorcerer, and now they look to the second. But just as Lucian, Malika, Elian, Arista, and Kyros finally finish their preparations, a scream echoes through the night. A sign that the protections around Icilia’s most sacred places, the athar mountains of Asfiya, are breaking. And soon after arrives the news that the Blood-soaked Sorcerer is coming — with an army vast enough to blacken the plains. Rushing west, the Quest finds a nation on the brink of madness. The hallowed cities are too filthy to endure, and the people they have come to save are more than lost — they are cruel themselves. Yet the Quest must save them — all of them — before the enemy reaches Asfiya. For, if they fail in the least degree, the cost will be in the currency of souls. With such high stakes and such little time, they cannot escape the Does even the Divine truly possess the power to defeat the encroaching darkness? Amena Jamali continues on her literary career with a haunting new adult fantasy tale of found family, strong heroines, and gentle heroes that ponders the meaning of human dignity amid a clash of absolute good and absolute evil. Fans of The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Eragon will savor this story of redemption, mercy, and hope in the darkest of times. |
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The Bell Tolling by Amena Jamali The Blood-soaked Sorcerer tyrannizes the land of Icilia with every form of cruelty imaginable, dyeing his armor red in the blood of innocents. Crushed to pieces under such savagery, the people of Icilia abandon hope and forget the gifts of civilization that had once been their dearest blessings. Amid this darkness comes light in the form of Lucian, the divinely-appointed hero of Icilia and the Leader of the Quest of Freedom. Educated in all of the ancient arts, Lucian has the virtue and power necessary to cleanse evil from the land. But not alone—answering the call of his sacred destiny, Lucian gathers together his four divinely-chosen companions and embarks on a journey to free his world. He is determined to restore the forgotten laws, heal the tormented, and unite the land behind his banner. Yet his companions seem too shattered to save anyone, while his people might be too blind to see the light. And above all he must confront the question: Are there some evils even the Divine cannot conquer? Amena Jamali embarks on her literary career with a haunting new adult fantasy tale of found family, strong heroines, and gentle heroes that ponders the meaning of freedom amid a clash of absolute good and absolute evil. Fans of The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Eragon will savor this story of light springing forth from dark places. |
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Heir of Stardust and Secrets by CC Hartly DESCRIPTION In the shadow of war, love may be her greatest enemy... Nyleeria has always lived in the shadow of loss, with only her childhood friend to bring light to her days. But when an ancient power is discovered within her, everything changes. Her family is torn apart by tragedy, and she is thrust into a conflict that has smoldered between humans and fae for centuries. King Thaddeus, a human ruler hardened by the endless war against the fae, seeks to protect his kingdom at any cost. When he discovers Nyleeria’s dormant magic, he knows it could be the key to his people's survival. But the closer Nyleeria gets to the King, the more she realizes that her greatest danger may not be the Spark or the fae—but the feelings he stirs within her. As the veil between realms grows thinner, Nyleeria must navigate a path filled with peril, where trust is a luxury and love could be the most dangerous weapon of all. Torn between duty and desire, she must decide what they are willing to sacrifice—for her people, for him, and for a future that hangs in the balance. Don't miss this captivating adult Fantasy Romance by debut author CC Hartly. With its intricate magic systems, believable characters, and richly developed world-building, it's sure to delight romantasy and epic fantasy readers everywhere! Filled with action, adventure, heart-stopping romance, and just the right amount of spice, Mythic Spark is perfect for fans of Briar Boleyn,Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer Armentrout, and Rebecca Yarros |
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In Darkness & Duty by CC Tyler One drop of blood can banish or bind… Reeling from the loss of his father, and devastated that Evelyn has slipped through his fingers once more, Kade is singular in his purpose: rescue his love, and bring her home. That means getting through the Void to Drystan, a land no werewolf or witch has ever ventured through — with their lives intact. But when a risky alliance offers Kade protection, it means making a bargain he’s reluctant to fulfill. Within the walls of Drystan Castle, Evelyn is determined to unearth the secrets of the vampyrs once and for all, so she can return home with answers. But even with an unlikely ally by her side — albeit at a dangerous price — the weight of the truths they unravel worsens a betrayal Evelyn’s bruised heart can’t handle. Meanwhile, on the journey to Drystan, Kade unlocks a tempestuous magic of his own — that he cannot yet control. And even as enemies appear at his elbow, it’s easier to focus on finding Evelyn than figuring out who to trust. But can the bonds of duty withstand the darkness that threatens to devour all those in its path? |
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Faith and falsehood both entwined, Truth will triumph, hope will bind. Once, Evelyn Carson was one half of a prophesied union, destined to defeat the vampyrs. Now, haunted by failure and deserted by her fire magic, she has vowed never to trust her powers again. Hidden in a tiny coastal town, Evelyn is desperate to conceal her weakness from those who would start war if they knew. Until a young woman is murdered, and the whisperings of duty demand to be heard... For Kade Drengr there is no higher calling than duty. But ever since Evelyn deserted hers two years ago, Kade has searched for her relentlessly, determined to fulfill the prophecy. Cloaked in anonymity as the huntsman Cyrus, he offers to help Evelyn solve the murder in hopes of securing their union. Even if it's founded on a lie. When more victims show up - each missing a different body part - Evelyn recognizes a darker magic than the killings of her homeland. As Kade wrestles with his allegiances and deepening feelings for Evelyn, the lines of truth and betrayal begin to blur. But even with hearts aflame, can two souls fulfill a destiny that may destroy them both? |
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Gilded Wicked Mirrors by Hazel St Lewis In New Swansea, a glittering city once inhabited by vampires, power rests not with the royal class but with the Bargainers—deities trapped in magic mirrors, who exchange power, wealth, and knowledge for a cost . . . often a wretched one. Quinnevere Ashelle wants nothing to do with the Bargainers, but at twenty-three, she is getting too old to make it into the Royalle Ballet, and with only one shot left, she’ll do anything—including make a twisted deal with an evil god. The agreement is simple: passionately kiss her archnemesis, Prince Emrys, and she will receive her dream spot in the Royalle Ballet. Unfortunately, when Quinn's deal with the Bargainer backfires, her beloved friend turns up dead, entirely drained of blood, and with puncture wounds matching the long-extinct vampires. Feeling utterly responsible, Quinn vows to get vengeance and use her medical examiner skills to solve the murder, but she is far outmatched in this world of immortals—especially when she discovers she’s being hunted as is the killer's next target. If she wants to survive, she must team up with the devilishly attractive but wicked Prince Emrys to track down the murderer before she gets cornered herself. Gilded Wicked Mirrors is a New Adult Romantasy featuring enemies to lovers, knife to throat, and deadly bargains. The steam level is mild, but the sequels will be much spicier. This single-POV fantasy romance is perfect for fans of Crescent City’s gritty investigations and Caraval’s lush world. |