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The Blood Curse by Jessica A. McMinn "Darker, grander, richer, and filled with even more delicious emotional turmoil, The Blood Curse is simply everything you could ever wish for in a sequel, and then so much more." â Grimdark Magazine "...a master-class in character" â The Empty Bookshelf Amika has left Holania in ruins. Grief-stricken and betrayed, she is on a fiery path to set things rightâeven if it means submitting to prophecyâs chain. Emboldened by her growing powers, Amika heads towards the wastelands of Qhoraak to rescue her brother and drag another Chosen into destinyâs sick game. With demonspawn mobilising in unprecedented numbers, she and Rei-Hai Shaw must confront the dangers awaiting them beyond the western border⌠and those lurking within their shadows. Kriah, adrift at sea, struggles with the aftermath of breaking the first seal. Now, Azetâhaal and his Meah-Hyren army know of the plan to revive the Goddess and itâs only a matter of time before they make their move on the mainland. But as a new threat spreads across the east, Kriah must uncover the origins of the deadly blood plague and convince the vulnerable people of Whytâhallen that it is not the old Sickness they fear. Or did breaking the first seal release more than just a lock on the Goddessâs soul? |
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The Night the Trolls Came to Town by Tim Kreher The Night the Trolls Came to Town Arriving at a town called Emersonville to start a new life, junior high student Ben Bell notices two oddities right off the bat. One: the population sign does not match the actual number of residents. Two: the shops along Main Street are nearly vacant of life with many hosting 'Out of Business' signs. Upon meeting a crazed girl named Mindy and her conspiracy theorist friend Koji, Ben discovers there is more to the dwindling numbers than just the closing of a nearby mine. The duo is convinced it is the work of trolls, but Ben finds the theory of monsters hard to believe. That is, until a classmate crush disappears. With the help of his new friends, Ben is determined to find the missing student. Will they succeed or will they be added to the number of vanishing community members? |
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The Girl Who Sings to Dragons by Luke Courtney Fionnuala Swann, rightful Queen of Demeteria, strives to overthrow her wicked uncle, sitting on her throne as a puppet king of the Holy Empire of Addanc, and break the curse that transformed her brothers into monsters. Aiden Russ, heir to Selene-Morna, struggles to master his inner wolf, haunted by his past failures. Now he must overcome his doubts to become a desperate people's champion. The first steps to fulfil the prophecy of the Winged Wolf must be taken... |
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Memories of Tomorrow by Noah Isaacs For years, Aerym has felt that he was cursed, as if his very being was wrong. Some say that seeing isnât always believing, but for Aerym, however, nothing could be farther from the truth. Fated to a life of catastrophe and ruin, the visions that plague Aerym's sleep always realize themselves, even when they depict his loved ones dying gruesome deaths before his eyes. Now, years after he watched everyone and everything he had ever known burn to ash, Aerym finds himself with his sole remaining companion, Jasper. Lost and without purpose, they bide their time until the inevitable comes; when Aerym is warned of their imminent demise... Yet even now he doubts if he's strong enough to combat what's to come. With little hope left for him and his friend, Aerym resigns to go far to the south, to the lands where magic is as common as war. To where he might get answers, and, if he's lucky, strength enough to gain control of his own life. Memories and prophecies guide them on their path to salvation, but the past lies, and the future speaks only in tragedies. Is it truly a blessing to know what's coming even if you're powerless to stop it? |
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The Trials of Ildarwood: Spectres of the Fall by S. C. Selvyn For 10,000 years, the Trials have been a sacred tradition... When Telara, Aiden, and their friends are banished into a vast crystal forest with everyone else their age, they truly believe theyâre about to embark on some magical adventure. But sinister secrets and monstrous hunters lie in wait, including some that might bring the Trials to a swift and tragic end. Relentlessly stalked by ruthless Cyndersâthe corrupted remnants of past Trialsâthe children of Ranewood must unlock their elemental powers and unravel long-hidden mysteries to avoid the same fate. Discover who will rise and who will fall as the Trials officially begin! |
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The Trials of Ildarwood: Cinders in the Snow by S. C. Selvyn Eleven-year-old Dasia Dulane has spent her entire life locked away in a snow-filled homeâthe unwilling guardian of a chilling family secret. But after her long-lost brother returns and promises freedom in the Ildarwood, she swiftly discovers the terrifying trials that await. Saved from monstrous hunters by a mysterious runaway named Tannus, Dasia must unravel the truth about her family and unlock her elemental gifts to secure her only chance at a brighter future. This story takes place nineteen years after the prequel novel and one year before the main series. All author royalties are donated to LGBTQ+ charities for at-risk youth. |
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The Trials of Ildarwood: Fall of the Forsaken by S. C. Selvyn Eleven-year-olds Evalina and Tevaun have been locked away for yearsâher for hiding powerful stormborn gifts, and him for being cursed by pure darkness. But when mysterious forces inside the Ildarwood intervene to help them escape, they quickly discover why so few children ever return from the trials within. Forced to seek out new allies while evading soul-stealing creatures, they must find some way to change their tragic fates before time runs out. |
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Blood & Scales by Therena Carlin She is hunted, he is hauntedâtogether they must face the ghosts of their past to build a future together.Hunted and outcast, Kaya doesn't trust anyone. Until Ryu. Can she let him in, or will she always be on the run? Haunted by his true nature, Ryu fears letting his dragon take control. But with his true mate in danger, can he learn to trust the beast within to keep her safe? When an ancient curse demands a blood sacrifice, they must each choose whether to fight it and have a future together or break it to save the future of those they love. Blood & Scales is a standalone Paranormal Fantasy Romance set in the world of the Tri-Realms. If you love stories about fated mates, found family, cinnamon roll dragon shifters, witches with blood magic, spicy romance, you will love Blood & Scales. |
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The Celestials want her dead. The Demons would kill to have her. Only he can protect her from bothâbut can he save her from herself? *** A fallen starâs magic rips Evie from her family, revealing the dark secrets of her true bloodline. As if being mistaken as a dark elf isnât enough, she finds out she is an Infernalâa half-celestial demon. She is the key to the Tri-realms, and the very thing that may tip the scales of the Eternal War between the Celestials and Demons. Both are on the hunt for her blood. Her goddess demands that she go to the Abyss to save her father. In a race against time and while battling her own growing power, she must risk everything to do what is right. But doing what is right just might mean losing the man she has come to love. *** Cain thrives in darkness. As a demonkinâa half-demonâthe world hates him, and violence follows him. Never backing from a fight, he embraces his reality. With every battle, he relishes the strength he gains. The day will come when he faces the demon who had hurt his motherâand this time he will kill him. When the fates interfere and place Evie in his destructive path, he cannot refuse the need to protect her and save her. Nor can he fight the desire she stirs in his heart and soul. Never had anyone accepted him for who he was without compromise. But she comes with the unreasonable demands of a goddess he had long since turned his back on and sworn to never let into his life again. Now he must choose between getting his revenge and ignoring the goddessâ demands or losing Evie forever. *** Star Found is an epic romantic fantasy adventure of two people finding themselves in a world that hates them simply for being born. They must learn to trust each other and rely on one another to overcome the odds and face not only the monstrous demons of the Abyss, but also the demons of their pasts. If they donât, the fate of not only their hearts, but also the entire realm is at stake. If you love books about outcasts finding their place in the world, soulmates, redemption, and forbidden love with broody heroes and shy heroines who fight side-by side to save the world, you will love Star Found! Immerse yourself in the world of the Tri-realms! A high epic fantasy world filled with monsters, magic, a sword fight or two, and swoon-worthy steamy romance. IMPORTANT: THIS NOVEL CONTAINS MATURE SUBJECT-MATTER INTENDED FOR ADULT AUDIENCES. |
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Echoes of a Lost Goddess by W.A. Leggatt The Gods have lost, and the world fallen to ice and darkness. All Pel has ever known are the frozen hills and safe walls of home, but that is about to change. Now he must travel to Brightfont, the last city. Deadly creatures roam the wasteland and not everyone is who they claim, but he carries with him a message and a secret that will change the world, and he must survive. In an era before the Gods fell, Saphielle lived for her daughter first, and her country second. That was until the brutal slaughter of her brother. Now her father â the King â seeks retribution and stokes the fires of a holy war. Whilst armies clash, Saphielle alone hears the voice of her goddess warning of an ancient and forgotten enemy, one only she can defeat. She must succeed or condemn the world to ice, unless war tears it apart first. Separated by time, connected by prophecy, the fate of Ebria rests on their shoulders. |
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Fractured: Tales of Flame and Fury by Charlotte Langtree Darkness shadows all worlds. Gods war, queens fall, and trust is broken. A frightened mother beseeches an uncaring god. Rebel Sisters dance on the wind, and doors open to long-forgotten realms. In the depths of the ocean, an ancient dragon stirs. When all hope is lost, who will rise? Who will resist? And who will rain ruin on a fractured land? Lose yourself in eight tales of courage and chaos, powerful magic, and the women who hold their worlds together. |
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Keeper of the Sacred Scroll by JR Swisher The story of one prince will change the course of history. Thatâs the hope of Sapphira Jacobine Pham. Known as âJakeâ from her friends, sheâs second generation half human, half Nouban. The Noubans have lived on Earth since Mesopotamia, teaching humans how to harness their magic. But now theyâre targets in need of a strong leader. She feels sheâs not ready for the challenge, especially after handsome half-Nouban Allec confesses his love for her. She has to find a replacement soon. Otherwise sheâll be trapped in a life she never wanted. |
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Gharantiaâs Guardian by L.M. Douglas The devastating godsâ war that ravaged the other side of the world for centuries is coming to Gharantia. Its rulers, Princess Melane and Criterious, the Guardian, stand as sentinels, safeguarding their cherished realm. As the Queenâs protective mistâthe Bleakârolls away after another winter, prophetic dreams haunt Melane and mysterious strangers converge on their city. Criterious must unravel the truth behind the war before it destroys them all. Who will stand with Gharantia against the coming tide? In this epic fantasy adventure alliances will be forged, loyalties will waver, and destinies collide. |
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The Magik Scarf by M. K. Browning After botching her first solo spell, where she only partially reanimates her grandfather into a voice in a toy jack-in-the-box, Alyssa has to set out to find and return a gryphon kingâs magik scarf or else he will do something unspeakable to her grandmother. But that sneaky scarf is not where the king said it was, and now the only way to get to it is through a dragonâs lair. |
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A Sparrow Among Stars by Sara Puissegur Fight or Flight? The sparrow must do both to survive. Determined to keep his stolen crown and the besieged kingdom of Hyrosencia, King Antoine Rexton hunts Garrick loyalists without remorse. When his bloodthirst fixes upon Serena Finch, he orders his Enforcing Army to kill her and anyone who stands between them. Labeled a traitor by the unrelenting sovereign, Serena must flee her idyllic homeland and cross treacherous mountains to seek asylum in the City of Mercy, the last stronghold of Queen Elara Garrickâs realm. As Elara secures alliances through her wedding, Rextonâs son, Crown Prince Anteros, interrogates their newest prisonerâand Serenaâs best friendâTalitha Vise, forging an unlikely friendship that could further unravel his father. Guided by the queenâs elite guardians, Serena must learn to wield her fatherâs sword if she wants to survive the barrage of aggressors in their path. But when faced with dangers untold, will the gentle girl from Durmak find the strength to fight, or will she be caught in the tyrantâs snare? |
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Tale of Three Ships by Darcia G. Laucerica In a world under the thumb of an empire, pirates sail away searching for a breath of freedom. But even the ocean is tainted by the powerful nation that has spread lies about women being bad luck at sea. Glenlivet has never cared about the fear-mongering. Her ship welcomes those who are rejected and need a home. For all the sailor´s superstitions and âcodesâ of piracy the captain mocks every day, not leaving the docks when itâs dark is a personal boundary she swears by ever since acquiring The Outsider about eight years ago. She just might have to break her own rules to protect her crew, escape the claws of a king who wants her dead, and murder the man who raised her. |
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The Valkyrie Covenant by J. A. Townsend Lost and alone, Lena longs for two things: a place to call home and friends to call her own. After discovering a mysterious family heirloom, Lena is transported to Idirhallaâa realm created by Odin and ruled by the Valkyrie Queen. But Idirhalla, once a paradise for Odinâs immortal warriors, is on the brink of ruin, plagued by catastrophes that threaten to destroy all realms, both human and magical. As Lena uncovers the secrets her parents left behind and grows closer to the man of her dreams, she learns that her new friends and her new world depend on her to claim her birthright. To save Idirhalla, Lena must embrace her powers and lead a rebellion against those who put her on the throne. In a world where only the strongest Valkyrie rules, Lena must find her inner strengthâor risk losing everything sheâs come to love. |
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One womb, one soul, two fates. One will rise. One will fall. Shura and Jin are the last of a divine bloodline, operating at the bloodiest fringes of society where they wield might and magic against the demons they are sworn to destroy. For Shura, itâs the only way to restore honor to her lineage and claim her rightful place in the world. For Jin, itâs a matter of begrudging dutyâand escaping the influence of the three kings vying for control of the continent. In their pursuit of the sadistic cult behind the demonsâ resurgence, the twins find themselves hunted by an ancient demon harboring a blood vendetta, and are forced to set aside past grudges and seek the kingsâ alliance. When Shura discovers a chilling prophecy, she fears that even her newfound allies may not be enough to stem the rising tide of shadow. Even the palest chance of victory will come at a brutal price. But the prophecy never foretold whose fate would settle the debt: Shura's or her brother's. |
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The Crack at the Heart of Everything by Fiona Fenn He accidentally cursed himself... When the consequences get him exiled to the land he helped terrorize, can this evil wizard find redemption... and love? Orpheus can't believe it's come to this. After helping his childhood friend conquer the realm by raising an army of hell-beasts, the befuddled dark sorcerer finds himself banished when the price of his magic endangers the palace. Isolated and betrayed, Orpheus isn't exactly thrilled when his irritating and handsome rival keeps stepping between him and certain doom. Ill at ease in the barren wasteland his powers created, Orpheus slowly warms to the charismatic ex-general's relentless overtures. But as his feelings grow more intense, the former villain struggles with an inconvenient calling towards heroism. Will dabbling in good deeds get him killed or open the doors to happily ever after? The Crack at the Heart of Everything is the charmingly swoon-worthy first book in an epic LGBTQ+ fantasy series. If you like character-driven stories, snarky humor, and well-earned redemption arcs, then you'll adore Fiona Fenn's unexpected hero's journey. |
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Excalibur's King by Miriam Yvette Nestled in the hot mountain regions of a dying god lies the kingdom of Excalibur. Tungsten was born with one purpose: to become an unyielding stronghold and fulfill his duty to Excalibur alone. But when The Affliction War claimed his brother's life, and caused his father's early demise, Tungsten became not a servant, but Excaliburâs new king. On a mission to reunite with his sister, Tungsten and his best knight Lancelot find themselves arriving not at a homecoming, but a murder scene. Arthurian-inspired Gigachad MC with a sunshine personality Single POV Mythical creatures Arthurian references |
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Children of Rima by Miriam Yvette Celestials. Light vs. Darkness. Enemies-to-lovers? A secret identity hides the truth, but what happens when it becomes a cage? The irritable and uncommitted Lucan Greystone has to live under an alias, his true self, hidden in a human body. No one can know heâs a celestial of the cosmos. But when a murder attempt sends Lucan to a small town, he must depend on the Harrow family to trek the long, perilous road back to his friends, all while suffering Elene Harrowâs company, the townâs heathen who nearly killed him. Elene Harrow wants to undo the wrongs of her past, even if that means fulfilling a Vow of Marriage and leaving her romantic life in the hands of another. Upon meeting Lucan, she finds his existence a danger, yet heâs always the one who rescues her, even when he can barely stand her. When Elene discovers one of Rimaâs children ensnared in darkness, the journey may be more than they bargained for. â Favorite quotes from readers â âWhat Iâm trying to say is everyone paints their own story, and sometimes that brush is in someone elseâs control. In the end, we make decisions weâre not proud of, fall into potholes we canât get out of, but donât think for a second any one of you is walking with a white canvas.â - Oscern, chap. 23 âThere is nothing wrong with hoping.â She wiped Corieâs tears away and moved away the curls that stuck to her freckled cheeks. âItâs all we can do when things that are out of our control happen.â - Elene, chap. 29 "Every day is a new opportunity to be a better person. If you lose sight of that, then you lose a piece of yourself and the things that you hold dear.â - Wein, chap. 33 |
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No prophecies No destiny The new heroes of our time shall choose themselves The Jantakai, the lands of the Twin Swords, are divided. War threatens every border, crime infests countries like a disease, and the gods themselves have faded away. Beneath this turbulent arena an ancient, malicious power begins to wake. The whole world is like dry tinder, waiting for a spark. Old friends Ellyah and Nastja must rediscover how to trust one another as they navigate the underworld of Anish. Eain is a young soldier of Banahgar, whose dreams of glory turn out to be a nightmare. Driven by necessity, their quests will force them to travel further and through more dangers than they could have imagined. At the heart of it all, a blood-red ruby gleams, sending out a siren call. A frantic chase begins, those who would possess it unaware of the danger it holds. Glory and riches await the victor, and for the losers the only prize will be death. Who will claim the Demonâs Tear? |
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The Shepherd in Shadow by M. Daniel McDowell To forge a new destiny, he must confront the demons of his past. Mehren Tevaht wasnât supposed to survive his desperate gambit. Throwing himself into the abyss along with the truename of the demon prince should have been the end of as worthy an end as Mehren can picture for such a coward as himself, anyway. When Mehren awakens in a shadow-realm heâs only seen in dreams with his beloved, the warrior princess Vierrelyne du Talorr, at his side, he knows the spell he meant to do went horribly awry. Together, they traverse a realm both familiar and hostile while the sorcerer tries to figure out what went wrongâand how to fix itâif only to restore Vierrelyne home without him. Haunted by his own past history, and the dawning revelations of the doomsday cult which once held his undying loyalty, Mehren must choose a fate that will define the future for himself, for Vierrelyne, and for all the realms beyond... ...the realm of bodies, the realm of beasts, the realm of spirits, the realm of dream... the Scourgelands beyond the Known Lands of Derebor itself. |
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The Whisperer in White by Y. R. Liu When the Whisperer speaks, the universe listens. Growing up, Talia had never given much thought to the gray-robed Whisperers and their powers over reality. Their business was protecting the world; hers was hunting in the forest around her village and trying to stay out of trouble. Unfortunately for Tal, one Whisperer in particular becomes her business when she accidentally injures his companion, a talking cat-shaped creature named Morel. As punishment, she becomes the Whispererâs prisoner, whisked away to his island home for a year and a day of servitude. There is much to do â for both the Whisperer and for Tal â as he prepares for the ritual that must be completed every hundred years to ensure the safety of the world. Tal does as she is told; her priority is to simply finish out her sentence and return home to her family. Yet there are many secrets on the island, many oddities, and they tug at Tal like an itch. As the year goes on, she learns more of the Whisperer, his duties, and the horrifying evils that he and the other Whisperers keep at bay. But secrets still remain: a room that is always locked, a stone monument in the woods, crimson flowers whose very name causes the Whisperer to storm away. Unbeknownst to Tal, something is watching her, and what she does now may alter the fate of the world. |
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The Odyllic Stone by Alex Scheuermann When Aster Rutherford, the postmaster's son and his childhood friend, Zinnia Hollyhock deliver a letter to the Pelware Mines, they are attacked by a birdlike monster that turns men to stone. Even worse, Buckwheat Village is plagued by an illness that's incapacitating villagers, including Aster's own father. A chance encounter with Kara Reeves, the brash quartermaster of the Blue Skies, leads Aster to hitch a ride to the capital city in search of a doctor. Aster's quest takes him from the dizzying spires of New Portsmith to the caves of Munayallpa and the forests of Tembour. Along the way Aster reconnects with his estranged mother and comes face-to-face with the god of a foreign land. Can Aster and the crew of the Blue Skies overcome pirates, politics, and monsters to cure Buckwheat Village before it's too late? |
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The Envoys of War by Dave Lawson Donât kill the messengers. As a bodyguard for the Kingâs Envoys, Gen is content with her life of traveling, drinking wine, and hitting things with her sword. Itâs the perfect job. Until the King sends her and her friend Cordyn into war-torn enemy territory on a mission to deliver vital military intelligence to an allied nation. The problem? The mission is a sham. Gen is tasked with determining if Cordyn is a spy who is selling information to the enemy. Cordyn is the worst kind of libertine: brash, arrogant, and on the run from half the husbands in the kingdom, but Gen canât imagine him betraying her or their nation. With obtuse bandits, vengeful mages, and a resolute lutist, they embark on a daring rescue mission, complicated by Cordynâs increasingly complex schemes. As ominous enemy plots surface, Gen and Cordyn must decide what matters most. Their nation or their friends. A rollicking fantasy adventure for fans of Dungeons and Dragons, Nicholas Eames, and Michael J. Sullivan. |
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The Cat and the Brat by D.T. Brandt What happens when unstoppable grump meets immovable sunshine? Samiel is trying to keep his head down, but the other castle guards are keen to remind him he isn't worthy of the job he'll probably inherit - his father's as captain and royal confidant. Of course, âkeeping his head downâ is not how they'd put it; Samiel's defensiveness is spiky, and keeps even his most likely allies at a distance. When Prince Rapuska of Tyria, a Felien, arrives at the guard corps as a diplomatic envoy to Corniss, his highest priority is getting the lay of the land. His most readily available source of information there is his new the enigmatic Samiel. Even with this chance at a fresh start, Samiel tries to keep Rapuska away so the princeâs reputation isnât tarnished by association with him. Rapuska sees Samielâs fire differently, howeverâas a keenness and conviction that may be exactly why heâs still positioned for the future he is. Their mutual concern starts small, but when Samiel is sent to accompany Rapuska back home to Tyria for the Queenâs birthday they find the whole capital has entered Felien heat season and their feelings for each other are pushed to their limits. The Cat and the Brat is a cisbi M / transgay M fantasy romance novel, with a nonbinary AMAB author. |
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War has come to Novania as brothers fight brother for control of the throne. Colin is an unyielding and ruthless ruler without remorse for the atrocities he has committed. He has disowned his half-brother, for Andrew is dragon-kind. He has exiled Alexander for bearing the Mark of the Magi. He forced Thomas to flee under vague threats of assassination. Now his brothers have gathered allies in order to oppose him. Oppressed Novanians have rallied to their cause, the Corodan have gathered, and even magi from the Southlands have offered their unique talents in the fight. The kingdom burns and the blood of thousands is spilled. Under Colinâs command is a man as ruthless and cold as his king: Robert Claybourne, whose sole motivation is to annihilate the magi â and any who choose to support them. After seeing the power Andrew is capable of, Claybourne makes it his secondary objective to slay the last of the dragon-kind as well. |
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Dispatched to Stone Hill to oversee the cityâs defenses among nebulous rumors of the Shadow Councilâs threat, Owen Greenwaters must rely on the cityâs guard and its natural defenses to protect the citizens. But when an army of mythical hooded ones bolstered by a sea serpent and the Soulless arrive in the wake of a terrible storm, he knows there is little he can do beyond hope the walls hold â and pray to the gods he and Stone Hillâs people will survive. They are outnumbered, outmatched, and without magical support. Owen is the only knight present in the city. They will be overrun. The Soulless are merciless and rarely take prisoners, but Owen and the survivors of Stone Hill are exceptions⌠And some fates are worse than death. |
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The Novanian king has gathered an army in the north with the intent to make war upon the magi. He has exiled all three of his brothers. Andrew and Alexander fled to the Southlands, while Thomas escaped into the hostile northern highlands, the land of Novaniaâs ancient foe, the insectile Corodan. While Alexander prepares to face Colinâs army in the south, Andrew makes the perilous journey through Novania to seek Thomasâ whereabouts and offer what aid he can. Traveling at his side is Rynn, a powerful mage with the ability to manipulate and form ice. When they fail to locate Thomas after days of searching, Andrew is forced to seek the aid of the Corodan. He has a long and bloody history with their people, and was responsible for the death of their previous Hive-queen. Uncertain if the Corodan will cooperate, but faced with no other hope of locating his brother, he ventures into the heart of the Corodan lands. Without Thomas, the brothers have no hope of overthrowing Colin and his tyranny. Without Thomas, Novania will continue to execute innocent citizens simply for bearing the Mark of the Magi. Without Thomas, the kingdom will be lost. |
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A girl has gone missingânothing unusual for the corrupt, crime-filled megacity of Xi, where biotechnical mods make everyone as unique and dangerous as their imaginations allow. Soon enough, no one will remember that the girl ever existed. At least, thatâs what Chance believes, until a duo of ambitious bounty hunters snatch him from his mundane day-to-day in the slums and introduce him to the shiny, secretive world of Xiâs rich and powerful. Meanwhile, in the cityâs sparkling high-rises, a pair of siblings witness a murder and are forced into the violent bowels of the city, hunting for answers as they are hunted by a killer. A hard-punching, fast-paced cyberpunk fantasy, The Neons follows an ensemble cast of unlikely heroes as they untangle the wires of a twisted mystery and uncover a reality inhabited by cybernetic deities, android angels, and the resurrected demons of their own past lives. |
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The Vampire Mariki by Joseph Howard Against a malevolent vampire, a daring prince named Mariki sets out on a thrilling quest to safeguard his kingdom in the ancient kingdom of Kemet. But that's not all - for Mariki, his challenges are twofold. As he delves deeper into this perilous journey, Mariki uncovers long-hidden family secrets that shake his very foundation, as well as the perilous power grab of his stepfather and wicked stepbrother. And here's the twist - Mariki is no ordinary mortal. As a vampire, he soon discovers he is unique, destined to traverse the ages, interacting with cultures across the globe. Joined by his maker, a wise mentor, and a fiercely loyal protector, Mariki sets off on an extraordinary odyssey, where loss, pain, and heartache test his resilience at every turn. In the midst of these trials, he unearths profound discoveries and experiences a tapestry of emotions, including electrifying thrills of adventure, tender warmth of romance, and even moments of lighthearted comedy. In this enthralling tale, shadows lurk around every corner, and enigmatic mysteries shroud Mariki's path. With each twist and turn, the story keeps readers on edge and craving more, blending fantasy, horror, and suspense. Every twist and turn keeps readers on the edge of their seats, eager for more to come. With his quest to uncover the secrets of his lineage and confront the forces of darkness that threaten his beloved kingdom, Mariki embarks on a grand adventure through the ages. Take part in a breathtaking adventure that explores human nature and reveals a world you never knew existed. |
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The Sorcerer and the Necromancer by Susan Ann Walker A young swordsman with a threatening secret. A rogue mage with a forbidden power. When they do battle, will the city survive? Daric came to ignore the slur of being called "blank." Growing up without magic of his own in a remote enclave of wizards, he left as soon as he could to make his way with his sword and his wits. Then the seventeen-year-old bodyguard accidentally discovers he has a hidden Gift for sorcery, enabling him to drain mystical energy from others, and he is terrified that his suddenly-appearing talent places everyone around him in deadly peril. Determined to master his new abilities, Daric finds a mentor to guide him and friends who support him, even though many fear him and demand his exile. But while he trains, a necromancer is killing elderly merchants and animating their corpses to rob them; and seers are dreaming of a devastating firestorm soon to come. As rumors swirl and panic mounts, the fledgling sorcerer realizes he may be the key to saving the place that's become his adopted homeâor the cause of its destruction. Can Daric wield his dangerous skills to stop a madman from burning everything and everyone around him to ashes? Or will he lose control, and bring about the very disaster he is desperate to prevent? The Sorcerer and the Necromancer is the third book in the "Tales from the City of Magic" sword and sorcery series. It can be read on its own, although there are some continuing characters from earlier books. If you enjoy stories of hidden powers, dark prophecies and found families, then you'll love Susan Ann Walker's exciting fantasy adventure. |
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Shadow of the Jade Cat by Susan Ann Walker A supernatural killer prowls the streets. Can a troubled guardian prevent a bloodbath? Lord Bastian carries the weight of the city on his shoulders. A master mage charged with keeping the peace in a mecca for those with magical gifts, he's challenged by powerful guild leaders who question his authority. When a prominent but unscrupulous merchant is gutted by a mysterious creature on the eve of a trade fair, the embattled magister scrambles to solve the crime while confronting accusations he himself wanted the victim dead. As more dismembered corpses turn up, Bastian is dismayed to learn the murderer is an agent of vengeance created by a deity that no mage or priest can hope to contain. Stalked by the arcane predator, harried by human assassins, and doubting his own abilities, he desperately seeks aid from an old rival and a devout but untrained young temple novice. Together, can these uneasy allies stop a relentless destroyer made by a goddess, or will a throng of arriving fairgoers become lambs to the slaughter? Shadow of the Jade Cat is the second book in the "Tales from the City of Magic" sword and sorcery series. (It can be read on its own, but you'll know more about the characters' backgrounds if you read book 1, How the Wraith Got His Soul Back, first.) If you're a fan of stories with dark magic, enigmatic gods, and mystical creatures, then Susan Ann Walker's spooky fantasy thriller is for you. |
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How the Wraith Got His Soul Back by Susan Ann Walker A young healer fleeing a dark wizard. A monster desperate to regain his stolen soul. Can a lost warrior guide them to refuge? Cayden i'Daubrin meant to turn his back on battle forever. After his men were slaughtered while he lay injured, the legendary fighter nicknamed "Deathgiver" wandered aimlessly, taking any job that didn't require leading others into combat. Until, discovering that a runaway girl he was hired to find is hunted by a blood mage for her healing gift, he chooses to help her escape rather than return her to certain death. Struggling to protect the adventurous teen, Cayden becomes even more alarmed when she befriends a wraithâa tortured creature whose spirit was taken by a curse. As they all race toward sanctuary in the magical city he once called home, with an army of blood slaves and mercenaries closing in, the weary swordsman steels himself to face the evil sorcerer blocking their only route to safety. Can Cayden win against a relentless foe who commands the powers of countless previous victims? Or will he lose his life, and the lives of the fugitives who gave him their trust? How the Wraith Got His Soul Back is the first book in the Tales from the City of Magic sword and sorcery series. If you enjoy stories with dark magic, thrilling swordfights, and reluctant but ultimately noble heroes, then you'll love Susan Ann Walker's fast-paced fantasy adventure. |
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Song of Jade: Hidden Kingdom by C. R. Collins âMagic permeated the atmosphere. It left a tangy taste in my mouth.â News of an old adversary sends Queen Jade of Sharren on a journey of discovery. Can she fulfill her vow to bring them to justice or will they elude her again? SONG OF JADE: HIDDEN KINGDOM continues the story of the woman who didnât want to be queen with another standalone adventure. This is the second DRAGON AGE prequel to the WOODSPELL SERIES and one of the TALES OF ARDONNA. |
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Fate of the Drowned by Carrie Summers The Empire is shattered. From the northern ice fields to the storm-battered coast, chasms gash the landscape. Hordes of twisted beasts ravage towns and cities, and still, the people riot. But the prophecies offer hope. Bolstered by the newfound, if fragile, peace with Stormshard, Emperor Kostan begins to fortify his rule. Savra, torn between her desire to learn her familyâs fate and the duty she feels to her Emperor, delves deeper into her magic in hopes she can answer both calls. At the heart of the Empire, an ancient seal will soon fail. But Savra and Kostan will fight to the end. Together they represent the Empireâs last hope for salvation. |
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Black Fox and Bitterbind(Fae & Familiars, #1) by Leanbh Pearson Bitterbind is a Fae outcast from her people after bonding with Black Fox â a creature considered a bad omen and harbinger of doom. They are exiled from Bitterbindâs Fae community and must learn to make their own way in the world where Fae are regarded with suspicion and dislike by the humans. Bitterbind and Black Fox share one soul and a mind and Black Foxâs sneaky intelligence and Bitterbindâs stealth are a perfect combination for royal thieves and spies. This last job might earn them home of their own where they can stop running from persecution. All they need to do first is succeed against the Kingâs treacherous enemies. |
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The Forsaken Prince by Madison Rosipal Born in a world where her people were once deemed criminal, Princess Celestine of Yulia walks a delicate path. Not only is she a descendant of the royal family that led the massacre of people with magic, she was also born a magician. In her search for belonging, she uncovers a family secret dating back centuries and a murderous plot that's been brewing for ages. Pulled between two worlds, she struggles to preserve peace, but will her efforts pay off? |
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Heart of Vanris by Nikki McCormack Kasiel and his unit have made a name for themselves. Enough of one that they are now being sent to the northern capital to be paraded before the people as heroes and to escort the khevarinâs daughter back south with them. It is a mission that should give them all a much-needed break from fighting and allow Kasiel time to recover from his injuries. What starts as a simple assignment becomes more complicated when the khevarinâs strong-willed daughter decides Kasiel and his unit will continue serving as her personal guards. With the war ongoing and rumors of possible political alliances in the air, protecting her may prove far more dangerous and disruptive than they imagined. Still new to life as a soldier, Kasiel is unprepared for the complex matters of royalty and politics, especially while still learning to navigate the ever-complicated challenges of leadership and love. |
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Blood of Vanris by Nikki McCormack Kasielâs healing injuries still trouble him, almost as much as the memories of what he did at the Hall in Katovan. Though he trains to become a better fighter and mind-crafter, a deeper understanding of the roles he is expected to fill makes it harder for him to come to terms with his place in Vanrian society. Then the southern kingdoms emerge with a new weapon for fighting Vanrian mind-crafters. One that could change the course of the war. The situation leads to Kasiel being required to take a more active role in the conflict sooner than planned. With his countryâs growing need of mind-crafters like him, Kasiel learns what it really means to be at war, and what it feels like to lose. He is about to discover how far heâs willing to go to protect the ones he loves. |
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Halidar: The Last Surveyor by Rob Perrier Thrust into an unexpected odyssey, Tanner finds himself inexplicably transported from the mundane world of school year preparations to a fantastical realm shrouded in forgotten magic. Mistaken for one of a long-lost lineage of mages, he must navigate the world, master lost magic, and unravel the mysteries surrounding both his arrival and the disappearance of those who came before him. Forging an alliance with a band of nomadic players, together they will navigate danger and treachery, unearth the long-buried secrets of the vanished "Surveyors," and perhaps pave the way for the better life Tanner has longed for. |
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A Dragon of the Veil by Nick Snape With the realm falling apart, the fate of a people falls upon Laoch and Suraâs shoulders and the Godsâ weapons they now bear â a thousand years of faith and lies reconciled in a single moment of hope and redemption. For Laoch, the Crusades never ended, yet the embittered Ranger finds hope in his love for the dishonoured elven warrior, Sura. Together, they must face a new conflict when a powerful enemy crashes into a Meisterâs alchemical experiment, setting off a wave of fear that ripples through the realm. With the secrets of the Godsâ scripture exposed and whispers of an ancient evilâs return, Laoch and Sura are left reeling by the power their enemy wields when an even larger threat rises from the forest depths. One even the Godsâ weapons fear. In a world no longer devoid of magic, a thousand years of secrets and lies spill out, and cracks form in the last bastion against an ancient foe. For cast in iron and spiritfire - here be dragons. ââŚartfully mixes elements of arcanepunk and high fantasy ⌠this is a riveting start to a new fantasy series from an undeniably skilled storytellerâ â â â â â SPR editorial review |
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At the Crossroads of Tomorrow Being the youngest of the Sua royals never stopped Saritrah from scheming to take the throne. But violent insurrectionists shattered those plans when they stormed the palace and decimated her family. In the years since, she has amassed an army and will return to claim her crown. However, Ashur, her one remaining sibling, has done the same, and she must act soon if sheâs to secure her prize before he snatches it from her claws. After Ashur razes the Temple of Yshuld, the surviving Seers promise her the power to ensure victory. But it will mean abandoning her legion to venture into the endless desert and locate a lost city. Soon, however, she suspects that none of the women are who they claim to be, even to each other. One woman cryptically alludes to a paradisical past; another awakens in the night plagued by dreams of a frightening future; the last woman never speaks. But the more she questions her new companionsâ motives, the more she must question her own. Is the vision of calamity an omen of what will happen if she fails? Or a promise of what will come if she succeeds? |
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Party of Fools by Cedar McCloud Aleâs Well That Ends Well⌠Resistance members Reed Thorley and Gladys the Destroyer canât believe their luck when the Immortal Emperor herself wanders into their favorite bar, unguarded and playacting an ordinary citizen. This is their chance to give the rebellion the upper hand against the Empireâafter a few pints, of course. The middle-aged halfling musician and his elderly barbarian partner are seasoned enough to know that when Emperor Vallora invites them to join her worldwide food tour, their best bet is to say âYes, chef!â and wait for an opportunity to strike. But hot as a greased griddle behind them comes Captain Andromeda Stagge, Valloraâs personal bodyguard, intent on returning the Emperor to the palace. Sheâs only doing her job. She isnât pissed off at being left behind. Itâs not as if the Emperor is her only real friend, given the difficulty of fitting in when youâre a 200-year-old autistic elf from a lower-class socioeconomic background. It isnât that at all! Valloraâs worldwide food tour hinges on her ability to escape the capital city with Reed and Gladys without being caught. The Emperor isnât supposed to be sampling local cheeses in the company of commoners. Though why the most powerful person in the Endless Empire needs to be under lock and key in Zenith Palace is anyoneâs guess⌠Join the party on this brand new adventure comedy as the chase ensues. Make sure you have some good food on hand, because youâre bound to get hungry along the way. |
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The Black Sun (Tales of Askalon #1) by Sebastian P. Melang "âwhen found, the bodies bore no signs of injuries, other than the eyes that appeared as if they had burned out from the inside and turned into stone; dark, black, like obsidian." So reads the report, which Lorian holds in his hands. As an inquisitor and servant to the aristoiânoble and sublime beings revered by the mortals of Askalonâhe had taken an oath to uphold their sacred law, to uncover any forbidden magic, and to hunt those who dared to cast it. Gruesome as these words are, they also remind him of another murder that happened so long ago. And a woman; a woman who seems to have left a mark on his very soul and has not granted him peace to this day. And so Lorian sets out, through the stormy sea to the north, to the frozen continent, to investigate the murder of two young boys who were killed by a form of magic about which the Inquisition knows almost nothing. He does not yet suspect the great forces that will soon confront him, nor how the fate of Askalon and all mortals is about to be decided; for the black sun has awakened. |
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A prisoner scarred by his past, suffocating in his desert hell. A crown prince bound by his familyâs tragedy. A myrprincess stripped of command and promised to a human. All must shed the shackles that bind them, but the darkness of the world is spreading quicklyâmadness in the streets, a ravaging sickness of the body and mind, and enemies at every border. Those gifted with magic, those bonded to dragons, those with a heart for righting the wrongs in the world must decide how to use their abilities. For with freedom to live comes the freedom to resist, to fight . . . and to kill. Their battles stretch across continents but are more intertwined than they can possibly imagine. Liberation is the first book in The Keepers of Midgate series, an epic fantasy set in a world of powerful elemental magic, sentient but reclusive dragons, and fearsome magical races. |
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City of Rain by William Lejeune An ancient mystery. A sorceress in hiding. And the wizards who hunt her. Daughter of a minor house and fledgling mage, Summer Fontenay yearns for a life beyond her cloistered world. But when her dying master entrusts her with a mysterious parchment, she must use all that she has learned to survive. For there are those in the imperial court who would kill to obtain it and the secrets that it holds. Suspected of murder and pursued by the emperorâs wizards, Summer must deliver the parchment to the distant city of Torrick. But the city is a place of both splendour and peril, its labyrinthine canals and alleyways a mirror of the ever-shifting factions and loyalties that Summer must navigate in order to reach her goal and restore her name. The first in a series of novels, CITY OF RAIN is epic fantasy at its finest, set in a world of honour and treachery, swords and sorcery, plots, counterplots and the deadliest of intrigues; where the Great Houses jostle for power beneath the Nephrite Throne and where the parchmentâs secrets threaten to change the very course of the empire itself. |
