The Hunter's Gambit by Nicholas McIntire

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No one promised Aleksei Drago an easy life. Growing up amongst the Ri-Vhan of Seil Wood, losing his mother and just as suddenly being torn from the forest folk, Aleksei had no choice but to make the best of an unpredictable situation. But what happens when the monsters and figures of fiction become horrifyingly real? How will Aleksei cope? When the stakes are at their highest, will he finally falter? Or will he rise to the occasion, reforging himself into the man Prophecy demands he become? In a world of magic and Magi, of Angels and Demons alike, how will a simple farm boy survive his own contorted destiny? This is the story of a seemingly-simple world gone mad, and the reality that every action, no matter how apparently benign, can serve to unravel terrifying truths. This is the story of Aleksei Drago, farmer, Hunter, and so much more.

Age of Empyre by Michael J. Sullivan

A DOOR OPENS. AN ARMY OF DRAGONS ADVANCES. AND THE FATE OF THE LIVING RESTS WITH THE DEAD. After obtaining the secret to creating dragons, the leader of the Fhrey has turned the tide of war once more—but gaining the advantage has come at a terrible price. While Imaly plots to overthrow the fane for transgressions against his people, a mystic and a Keeper are the only hope for the Rhunes. Time is short, and the future of both races hangs in the balance. In this exciting conclusion to the Legends of the First Empire series, the Great War finally comes to a climactic end, and with it dawns a new era—The Age of Empyre. From Michael J. Sullivan, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author comes the concluding installment of his six-book epic fantasy. This series chronicles a pivotal point in Elan’s history when humans and those they once saw as gods warred until a new world order was born. Set three thousand years before the Riyria tales, Legends is a stand-alone fantasy series that is independent of the Riyria novels. But for those who do follow both series, Legends will unmask lies and reveal the truth about Elan’s history and the men and women who shaped what the world became.

Maygest's Tale by C. E. Cannery

Maygest, an old thief, who has been conning people for the last decade, finds his way of life extinguished when the tyrannical Lords of Osskrip join forces and destroy all the fugitive enclaves, the only places people are allowed to be people. With no place to go and fearing that death may be near, Maygest sets off in search of a mythical harp that is said will bring peace to the land in a last-ditch effort to redeem himself before he dies. The problem is, the harp only seems to exist in his mind.

Age of Legend by Michael J. Sullivan

New York Times Bestseller • USA Today Bestseller • Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Best Fantasy Each culture has its own myths and legends, but only one is shared, and it is feared by all. With Age of Myth, Age of Swords, and New York Times bestselling Age of War, fantasy master Michael J. Sullivan riveted readers with a tale of unlikely heroes locked in a desperate battle to save mankind. After years of warfare, humanity has gained the upper hand and has pushed the Fhrey to the edge of their homeland but no farther. Now comes the pivotal moment. Persephone’s plan to use the stalemate to seek peace is destroyed by an unexpected betrayal that threatens to hand victory to the Fhrey and leaves a loved one in peril. Humanity’s only hope lies in the legend of a witch, a forgotten song, and a simple garden door.

Dawnstar (Starchaser Saga Book 2) by Renee Dugan

A missing friend. A hunt for answers. A path to vengeance. With her Warden stolen, her hopes of an easy alliance thwarted, and her trust in her own kingdom shattered, Princess Cistine Novacek faces her greatest challenge yet: using wit and steel to bring down a wicked Chancellor and prove herself to the cabal's tentative allies in the Courts. As friendships are tested, bonds broken, and love put to the test, the princess must face the growing threats within the Northern Kingdom – and learn to rise a queen. Locked away in a desert prison, Asheila Kovar faces the struggle of her life: surviving the ruthless Blood Hive, returning to her princess, and avenging a betrayal against the heart of her kingdom. But there are more secrets and schemes than just hers lurking in the catacombs…and the struggle between powerful forces above and below the sands will test Ashe’s loyalty in dangerous ways. Ways that may spell death for people the cabal cannot afford to lose.

Dragon's Reach: An epic fantasy adventure (The Keeper Origins Book 1) by JA Andrews

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The truth is neither plain, nor simple. Sable, a reluctant thief from the slums, can feel truth when people speak. For years she’s been using that skill to try to break free from the vicious gang boss she's indebted to. Escape comes in the form of an odd set of companions: -a dwarf running from the past, -an actor with a magical, glowing tree -a too-helpful kobold, -a playwright with a knack for getting stories out of people, and -a man and woman with suspicious, magical powers. But Sable’s freedom is short lived. On the edges of civilization, they discover hidden, terrifying lies in the offers of peace from the brutal Kalesh Empire. Now, she must return to the city she fled, and along with her companions, attempt an impossible task—convince everyone, including the powerful Dragon Prioress, of the truth. Except the Kalesh web of lies has ensnared everyone. With her land, her people, and everything she loves hanging in the balance, Sable is the only one standing between freedom, and certain death.

A Threat of Shadows (The Keeper Chronicles Book 1) by JA Andrews

#SPBFO Semifinalist Alaric betrayed everything he believed to save Evangeline — and failed. His last chance to save the woman he loves lies in an ancient Wellstone, a repository of power, buried and lost long ago. Luck—or something more troubling—leads him to a small group searching for the same stone. A disgruntled dwarf, a bumbling wizard, and an elf with an unsettling amount of power. If he can gain their trust, they might help him find the cure. But the Wellstone holds more than he knows, and a terrible evil he’d thought defeated is stirring again, searching for the stone. Can the companions survive a traitor, a dragon, and their own pasts to reach the stone before time runs out?

Where Shadows Lie by Allegra Pescatore

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The Chosen One Is Dead. Magic Is Going Haywire. Time Is Running Out. When the King of Lirin murders Elenor's brother during a failed coup attempt, she must choose between turning a blind eye to her people's suffering or joining the rebellion and helping bring down the tyrant king. There's only one problem--the king is her father. Helped along the way by a grouchy old doctor, a boisterous group of nobles, and a well-meaning assassin, Elenor is forced to dance between duty and defiance as she tries to save her kingdom. Meanwhile, from the rainy streets of Lirin to the scorching dunes of the Mondaer Desert, the ripples of her actions have inadvertently broken a chain of events five centuries in the making. Ancient forces move in the shadows, calling in debts and striking deals. A monster with a thousand faces fingers his knife, ready to kill, and a pair of fugitives run for their lives. Where Shadows Lie is a non-stop, epic fantasy ride featuring an lgbtq+ and disabled protagonist and filled with court intrigue, sizzling romance, adorable baby dragons, and the battle between oppression and freedom. Dive in and get swept away!

Voice of War (Threadlight Book 1) by Zack Argyle

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Chrys Valerian is a threadweaver, a high general, and soon-to-be father. But to the people of Alchea, he is the Apogee—the man who won the war. When a stranger's prophecy foretells danger to Chrys' child, he must do everything in his power to protect his family—even if the most dangerous enemy is the voice in his own head. To the west, a sheltered girl seeks to find her place in the world. To the south, a young man's life changes after he dies. Together, they will change the world—whether they intend to or not.

The Engineer by Darran M Handshaw

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"We are born in the shadow of fading memories and fallen dreams, living our days within the decaying bones of an age long gone." When the Engineer, Actaeon, arrives at Pyramid in the heart of Redemption, nothing goes according to plan. Mysterious raiders pursue him relentlessly across the shattered remains of the ancient metropolis, and the leaders of his homeland pay no heed to his ambitious ideas. Meanwhile, deep beneath Pyramid, a deadly creature stirs. And, when Actaeon meets a skilled young Knight Arbiter with brilliant blue eyes, he starts down a path he could never have imagined. The vast, fallen city of the Ancients is home to a new people who face the constant struggle to find resources needed to survive in the dangerous ruins. For the Engineer, however, Redemption is a treasure trove of technology, opportunity, and answers. But his unique skills make him a target for those who would use his talents to achieve their own dreams of power and control. In his endless quest for the truth, will Actaeon discover the fallen city’s greatest secrets? Or will he share the same fate as the Ancients of whom nothing remains but a whisper? One thing is certain: in Redemption, everything comes with a cost.

Rivers Run Red by A D Green

SPFBO6

In the Nine Kingdoms, lords and churches dance a familiar dance. A dance of wars and plots and murder. But unknown to the players, the dance is changing. The Tainted One has returned; harbinger of a cycle of destruction as old as humankind itself. An era is on the verge of collapse, humankind is on the fringes of annihilation – but the lords and ladies, the holy men and the apostates, the great and the small; they all just keep spinning with the music. Nihm is a young woman, living peacefully on the edges of the wilds. But as the hordes descend upon the Nine Kingdoms she finds herself at its forefront, in a race for survival. A race where truths will be revealed that will change her world. Challenging who and what she is. Renco is a student and a mute, suffering from a past trauma. His Master, an outcast from an Ancient Order, has raised him. Honed his skills and his art but for what purpose? Join an Epic Fantasy and follow Nihm and Renco as their journey unfolds. Can two people really change the fate of a world?

Between Starfalls by S. Kaeth

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Never leave the path.  It’s sacred law, punishable by exile. When her son goes missing in the perilous mountains, Kaemada defies the law to search for him. She enlists the help of her hero brother, a priestess berserker, and a fire-wielding friend. But the law exists for a reason. When the search party is captured by the mythical Kamalti, they learn that Kaemada’s son was sent to an ancient prison city. As they battle for freedom, they discover a horrible truth that will change the future of both races forever. With their world in upheaval, Kaemada must find a way to peace if she's to save her son—but tensions between the two races are leading to war.

The Wretched (The Fateless Throne Book 1) by Brad Carsten

No one knows what happened at Almswick, except that the King took an arrow to his chest, and his hundred-strong elite guard was slaughtered. Strangest of all, there was no indication that they had even faced an enemy. King Roderic 8th brought the kingdom of Thamaria into a golden age. It boasts the greatest scientists, physicians, soldiers, and artisans. For over a thousand years, nothing could approach its wealth and might for one reason: Thamaria could assess a child's potential, and then throw its resources into sculpting them into that which they were meant to be. Liam, a gifted tracker and archer, missed his first two assessments, and now at the age of twenty-five is too old for selection into the kingdom. He is left to make his own way in life with no hope of a better future until he meets Jaylene after her escort is attacked in the Dourbern forest. There's something "off" about her, and Liam is soon thrust into a plot that reaches into the heart of the kingdom—a plot that threatens to tear the immortal kingdom apart as well as everything else he cares about. But with war closing in, he may also have one last chance to prove to himself and the kingdom that he has what it takes to finally be somebody. Fast-paced with deep, likeable characters set in a rich and compelling world, The wretched will keep you guessing until the explosive conclusion.

For the Betterment of the World (Gateway to Perdinok #1) by Jeremiah Cain

A quarter of the haggard populace must flee, hide, or die when faced with the question: what do you do when your own home declares you wicked and demands your death? Within this dark epic fantasy, the largest church of a medieval-like empire condemns a minority church as evil. Soon, a soldier struggles with orders to kill, as he must decide if what is “right” can change by Church decree. A normal townswoman must fight as her people are sentenced to death in the empire where they’ve lived all their lives. Far away, two men from conflicting nations attempt to forge a relationship while trying to forge an alliance. Farther still, an elf boy sees the destruction of his peaceful home for nothing but a would-be weapon. Finally, a small nation must call on the Dark for help when the Light betrays them. Throughout the world of Perdinok, a range of people have their lives upended as unrest turns to civil war and turns to war on other nations. In the end, the sanctimonious empire unearths an ancient power that threatens all. Only a Demoness can put things right, but she holds her own agenda.

Ochre Dragon: The Opal Dreaming Chronicles Book 1 by V. E. Patton

Three women who are so much more than what they seem. Three worlds mired in conspiracy and magic. One quest to save the Cosmos. And then… there be dragons! On Heavens Gate, a dying planet where magic and science have forged an uneasy alliance, Merindah is desperate to unlock the secret of the Timegates and save what's left of humanity. What she lacks in magical ability, she more than makes up for in ambition. And with the help of an impatient and not-so-extinct dragon, her magic takes on a twist with cosmic implications. Meanwhile, on tech-ruled post-Crack Earth, where magic doesn't officially exist, Ali's humdrum life under the disintegrating Melba Dome is becoming weirder by the day. Her fingers start glowing, a snarky dragon shows up, and people she thought were her friends keep trying to control, kidnap or assassinate her. Finally, on Reverie, where magic rules unfettered, a young orphan becomes burdened with tainted magical gifts. Dee is alone, trapped in a waking nightmare. When she finally surrenders to desperation, her out-of-control magic unleashes her dragon and propels her onto a path that could unravel the fabric of time and space. Three women, three worlds - and their time is running out. Unless Ali, Merindah and Dee can reunite their single soul in one year, all is lost.They must each make unimaginable sacrifices to become the Key, the Gatekeeper, and the Fire who will save the Cosmos - or ignite Armageddon.

Two Thousand Years (The Empire Saga) by M. Dalto

Two thousand years ago, the Prophecy of Fire and Light foretold the coming of the Queen Empress who would lead the Empire into a time of peace and tranquility. But instead of the coming of a prosperous world, a forbidden love for the Empress waged a war that ravaged the land, creating a chasm between the factions, raising the death toll of innocent lives until the final, bloody battle. Centuries later, Alexandra, a twenty-two-year-old barista living in Boston, is taken to an unfamiliar realm of mystery and magic where her life is threatened by Reylor, its banished Lord Steward. She crosses paths with Treyan, the arrogant and seductive Crown Prince of the Empire, and together they discover how their lives, and their love, are so intricately intertwined by a Prophecy set in motion so many years ago. Alex, now the predestined Queen Empress Alexstrayna, whose arrival was foretold by the Annals of the Empire, controls the fate of her new home as war rages between the Crown Prince and Lord Steward. Either choice could tear her world apart as she attempts to keep the Empire’s torrid history from repeating itself. In a realm where betrayal and revenge will be as crucial to her survival as love and honor, Alex must discover whether it is her choice - or her fate - that determines how she survives the Empire’s rising conflicts.

Darkwind (The Starchaser Saga) by Renee Dugan

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The Middle Kingdom of Talheim has enjoyed peace for decades. But with the threat of war rising from the ruthless South, the dream of a quiet life is fading. And for the noble but naive Princess Cistine, that means embarking on a dangerous quest to the Northern Kingdom, where she hopes to forge an alliance against their southern foes and save her people. But when Cistine is captured by an outlaw and his band of cutthroat warriors, she finds a more deadly adventure than she bargained for - and a greater power within herself than she ever knew. Swept up in the unpredictable tide of a tenuous and shadowy political climate, a ruthless land governed by the stars, and the unexpected revelations that come from her mysterious new companions, Cistine must learn how to fight, how to lead...and above all, how to trust herself. If the young princess can't be forged into a fighter, then her kingdom will fall.

Ascendant by Casey White

It’s time. There’s no more hiding, no negotiating truces or bargaining with half-allies. With Solune found, the last barrier to the war reaching its inevitable end has been cleared. But even with the Everdark distancing himself from the war, leaving his brother to fend off the onslaught of Shiina and Efren alone, it won’t be an easy victory. Drenwell is an old country, strong and well established, and it will fight fiercely to protect its god and people. The war cannot be fought without sacrifice - something each of them knows all too well. The fight will go beyond the battle lines as the four Ascended are locked into one city, left standing at the forefront of the conflict. They can’t all win, and they can’t all live - and even should Takio find himself victorious, the cost for fulfilling the pact he made with Shiina is steep. Win or lose, he knows his destination may well be the same. Even still, leaving things unfinished isn’t an option. With nowhere left to run, their final chance at revenge - and victory - is at hand.

Nightsworn by Casey White

After what had come to feel like an eternity, Takio has finally broken free. Ondria’s aid has been secured, along with the aid of the Wavebinder and his Tideborn. Darren’s army has been fought to a standstill, and the border belongs to the Riverguard. For once, it almost seems like things are looking up. With every second that passes, though, Drenwell and its Chosen have another opportunity to turn the tide. The race to Drenwell City is on, for the last of the Four has yet to reveal himself. The Everdark remains yet in hiding, lurking in the shadows cast by his brother, and whoever finds him first and claims his aid will tip the balance of the war in their direction. Takio and his allies have no choice but to seek out the reclusive Divine, hunting through the parts of the capital where Rellan’s light has yet to reach. That search, though, also means putting themselves within arm’s reach of the Order - and Darren. With the fight beginning to draw to a close, the deadly hunt is on.

Charred by Casey White

The mountain. Held as his goal for so long, it fades into the distance as Jas leaves it behind. The world is bigger than he’d ever thought, he’s rapidly coming to realize. Darren’s spell lingers, clinging to him, but he’s no longer powerless to its commands. He finally has the strength to stand against it and a new identity to call his own, both gifts of the Everburning, the goddess Shiina. His powers are still new and unfamiliar, though, and his goddess is weak from her slumber. Darren is still out there looking for his wayward once-friend, and will stop at nothing to end what he sees as a threat to Drenwell’s safety. He’ll need to learn his own limits, if he has any hope of standing against his rival. With the Chosen hot on his heels, the man who was Jas flees into foreign lands together with his new goddess. One goal unifies them - revenge. They’ll need allies to get it, but finding allies takes time. Time they’re running all too short of as Drenwell closes in.

Chosen by Casey White

WriteHive Book Club

Jas expected to hear a tale of glory and heroism. He hadn’t planned on living it. Drenwell is in trouble. The idyllic nation teeters on the brink of disaster as one trouble after another lines up before it. Crops fail. Animals flee. Earthquakes rattle the land. In the midst of it all is the mountain, rising tall over the plains and forests. Legends passed down over the years place it as the center of the kingdom’s woes, host to an ancient, looming threat. Tucked away in the countryside, Jas isn’t worried. Drenwell has a savior waiting, a man chosen by their god to defeat this evil. He knows it better than anyone, since this Chosen is his childhood friend, Darren. Jas knows that Darren will be the one to end the threat and keep them safe. But their Chosen is clever, armed with his god-given gifts and talents, and he’s no fool. He can see the truth of the mission laid in front of him, its dangers and risks. The expectations placed on him are strong, but the will to live is stronger still. When faced with his ‘heroic’ fate, he chooses an option no one expected - least of all Jas. With no way left to him but forward, Jas finds himself trapped into playing hero in Darren’s place.

Mark of the Empress by M. Dalto

An Empress ripped back to the life she left behind. A Prince desperate to save his people. One child lost within another realm, the other dependent on their constant protection. Betrayed by those closest to her, Empress Alexstrayna must figure out a way to get it all back - her throne, her people, her son. Fulfilling a two-thousand-year-old prophecy, Reylor, the banished Lord Steward, has stripped Alex of her rightful rule and set in motion a chain of events even he, himself, does not fully understand. Determined to strip his brother of happiness by any means possible, his actions send Alex and Treyan back to Boston and away from the Empire they called home. Blinded by vengeance with hate running thick within her veins, the Empress must consider the ramifications of their return, for better or for worse. But when an unexpected visitor offers help assist with their attempts, Alex and Treyan need to determine how best to reclaim their Empire without more lives lost before whatever time they have left runs out. It’s time to return to the Empire. Are you prepared to join the battle?

Sand Dancer by Trudie Skies

Only monsters summon fire by magic. It’s a sin against the sun god and a crime against the king. The punishment is death. But when sixteen-year-old Mina discovers fire magic runs in her family’s blood, it’s just the beginning of the secrets her father has been keeping from her. When her father is murdered, this half-starved peasant girl finds herself on the run—pursued across the desert by the soldiers and guards of the noble Houses. To survive, she knows she’ll have to abandon her past and learn the way of the sword. But only boys are allowed to carry a blade. There’s only one solution… Disguised as a young nobleman, Mina must make a new life for herself in the heart of her enemies. But she knows she can’t keep up the masquerade forever. With time running out, which will she choose to find—the truth or revenge?

The Lightning Rod by C.S. Ratliff

WriteHive Book Club

12,000 years since the last Lightning Elemental stood guard. The world is in chaos. Shadow magic is spreading beyond the walls of secrecy. A new savior must rise and bring balance, for the Fate of Gnariam. Will The Lightning Rod become the hero the world needs, or succumb to the darkness?

Windward by S. Kaeth

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When dragons fight, mountains weep. In nests high in the mountains, dragons and dragonbonded share their lives, thoughts, feelings, and ambitions. Palon and her partner, the dragon Windward, are renowned among their nest for their flying skill. Their days are filled with everything she loves, especially riding the wind. Even being tasked with teaching their way of life to Tebah, a rebellious newly bonded teenager, can’t bring her down too much. But when treasures from the dragons’ hoards are found in Palon’s collection, her idyllic life comes crashing down. She battles to prove her innocence, while her every move is cast as further evidence against her. Tebah’s suspicion, homesickness, and defiance would be frustrating even in easy times. With Palon in the spotlight while her rivals smear her name at every turn and stir up plots of revenge, her teenage charge’s behavior proves dangerous. Dragon tempers shorten, and challenges and disputes shake the ground. Palon will have to trust more than just herself if she hopes to once more own the sky.