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The House of Starling by Ciara Hartford Hatred divides the elves by the color of flesh and the sharpness of steel. Crossing the border is forbidden. Raemian Starling knows the consequences better than most. As a renowned fighter in the Shay army, sheâs fought the Bleck Larin for years. But when sheâs captured by the enemy, Rae finds the last thing she would have expectedâkindness. Forced to reevaluate friend and foe, she puts her trust in the unlikeliest of places. Gastel, the youngest Bleck Larin prince, has never left his home, has never met a Shay, and is entirely unprepared when the Shayâs prized warrior is not the monster he'd anticipated. A decision to help Rae return home forces Gastel to face the true power he possesses and the reason his father has kept him hidden from the world. But time isnât on anyoneâs side. An unimaginable power threatens their world, one that cannot be defeated with a sword alone. Rae may be the only elf capable of confronting her queen and stopping the war, but sheâll need Gastelâs help to bring balance to elvenkind. Lest their world cease to exist entirely. . . . |
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Black and Deep Desires by Claire Trella Hill Is the vampire in Opheliaâs cellar a man she can save, or a monster out for blood? From an early age, Ophelia learned to keep her pets away from her unfeeling scientist father or they would disappear into his laboratory, never to be seen again. When her father unexpectedly returns to their isolated Yorkshire estate with a mysterious box, Opheliaâs suspicions are arousedâŚbut nothing prepares her for the bloody business she finds. Caged in silver and hungry, Salem is out for blood. Someone has betrayed knowledge of vampire existence to humansâbut before Salem can discover who, he must escape diabolical experiments seeking the source of immortality. He cannot afford to trust the frustratingly intriguing girl who says she wants to help and smells of orange blossoms. He especially cannot wonder how she would taste. Even though the darkly mysterious Salem insists he has no soul, that heâs dangerous, Ophelia canât leave him to be tortured. But to help him escape, she must risk her familyâs wrathâwhich may be a bigger threat than the monster in the cell. The supernatural bleeds into Victorian England in this captivating YA gothic paranormal romance novel, perfect for fans of Lakesedge, Down Comes the Night, Erin A. Craig, and anyone who longs to run across a dark windswept moor in a nightgown. |
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Glory to the Waxing Sun by Cooper Ward Each winter, the People of the green land gather at their henges to mourn the newly dead. And to offer up one life to the god who loves them most, to aid him in his holy war against the darkness and the cold. The Ardring, greatest of the henges, has stood from time immemorial as a symbol of the power of the ruling line. With iron in their fists and fire on their brows they have reigned unchallenged. Divinity made flesh. But now the green land is blanketed in snow, and bloody banners fly above the Ardring. Deep within its black stone bones is a priestess with a thousand thousand eyes. Beneath the dismal winter sky brews a desperate clash that will forever reshape the green land â if it survives at all. |
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Two fathers, two countries and no place to call home. When your skinâs the wrong color, and eyes a hated shade of blue, life is one wretched battle after another. All thatâs kept me alive is the birthmark for which I was abandoned the night of my birth. A Luna moth, symbol of the Mother Goddess, with a terrifying potential for magic.â¨â¨I worship the fierce warrior who found, then named me Thea. In a moon, I turn seventeen and will join his forces if he deems me worthy. Service alone will grant me citizenship, and deflect the hate heaped upon me daily. Yet Iâm troubled by our mission to deny my desert people access to this countryâs many resources.â¨â¨A warrior mage Iâve never trusted swears weâve known each other in many lifetimes. He sees a different path for meâone in which I embrace the mystical destiny my birthmark portends.â¨â¨Faced by this alarming possibility, I ask: can I kill my own kind? Or will this mage, to whom Iâm inexplicably drawn, convince me to give up a life of honor, for one of magic?â¨â¨Be swept away by this captivating adventure of love, honor, bias, and destiny. |
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Flight of the Scions by D. Moonfire Can she survive without magic? KanĂŠko's childhood fantasies died the day the letter came to confirm she had no ability to use magic. She would never hear the whispers of her mother's clan spirit. Nor would she be able to follow in her father's footsteps as a mage-knight of Kormar. Soon she found a new purpose: to prove to her father she wasn't a delicate flower that required protection. Without magic, she latched onto the new world of mechanical devices and engineering. But, her self-taught experiments went awry and her father sent her away in a fit of fury. Two others would join her on a trip across the country, a dog girl with a short temper and a boy with an unnatural presence. When she didn't think it could get any worse, a wanted poster sets off a frantic race home for safety. As ancient and modern forces fought to claim her, she and her friends would test the abilities their parents gave them: knowledge, loyalty, and drive. |
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Embers of Dusk by D.G. Roberts Adelyn is half human, half aradyneâa race lost to time after inciting warâbut she is no less human for it. After her world is thrown into chaos when an unthinkable tragedy shatters her heart, she is forced to seek answers in Parallim, but is met with only rumor. With an unsatisfied answer, she travels across the sea with her two friends to the city of Markalla. However, her search for closure ends in shocking revelation, and a darkness within leads her to make a personal choice that could forever change her. Meanwhile, the wizard Alistair and his captains, who parted ways with Adelyn in Parallim, seek the council of the queen of Valero with dire information. But their journey holds troubling secrets of its own, as they uncover the forces behind the impending war, and of a darkness that now engulfs the world of EraâNyn. Join Adelyn and Alistair as the Embers of Dusk fall on the beginnings of their tale, in Book One of the Lost Light of EraâNyn trilogy. |
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Lizardskin and Sharpened Steel by Damien Larkin Death stalks the jungles of the landmass, on two legs and four. On an isolated continent where dinosaurs still roam, the Dead Mudder legion must embark on a perilous mission to steal great-lizard eggs for use in war. Led by Captain Dustn, alongside the fierce Cohort Sergeant Ullndu and enigmatic tracker Boy, they navigate treacherous terrain and cunning predators. As the Dead Mudders delve deeper into unexplored territory, mysterious forces emerge, hinting at secrets untold. With alliances tested and dangers lurking, every step could be their last. In a bid to succeed, they face ancient beasts and traverse the blurred lines between friend and foe. In this unforgiving land, mastery of lizard skin and sharpened steel determines survival. |
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The Glorious and Epic Tale of Lady Isovar by Dave Dobson Lady Isovar is a mighty and supremely confident knight errant who tends to leap into adventure with both feet and then track it all over the rug. Chevson, her long-suffering squire and companion, is a former student of stone magic who spends most of his time keeping his mistress from causing enthusiasm-related injury to innocent bystanders. A tragic turn of events has sent them far from home, where they roam the countryside righting wrongs, smiting miscreants, deposing despots, and taunting their foes, often with seriously questionable one-liners. This new life is more than enough for Izzy, but Chevson wants nothing more than to set right what he harmed long ago. Following clues to sites of ancient power, they might just achieve his aim. That is, if they aren't murdered, dismembered, devoured, executed, roasted, or derailed by Izzy's bravado first. The Glorious and Epic Tale of Lady Isovar is an epic fantasy story of adventure, friendship, heroic battles, and vile villains. Content Warning:Â This book includes a lot of medieval-style violence and some gore (so long as it's not a Fourthday). |
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Death and the Taxman by David Hankins Never trust a dying auditor. Allies are few and hijinks are many in this hilarious race against time as the Grim Reaper himself tries to cheat death and avoid an audit by Hell's Auditor and the Office of Micromanagement. After sharing an ill-advised cup of tea with IRS auditor Frank Totmann, Grim finds himself trapped in Frank's life amid a world of dangers: love, betrayal, reckless cabbies, implacable demon hunters, and the incessant needs that keep his body ticking . . . for now. But what happens when Death isn't shepherding souls to their final destinations? When bodies refuse to die in a world-wide epidemic of miraculous survivals? Grim has seen this once before. He knows what's coming, and it's not good . . . Written in the witty comedic styles of Sir Terry Pratchett and Piers Anthony, Death and the Taxman is a lighthearted contemporary fantasy that began as an award-winning short story of the same name published in Writers of the Future Volume 39. Acclaim for that short story by readers and critics alike called it "brilliant and hilarious," "delightful and quirky," and "laugh-out-loud funny." |
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The Lost Redeemer by David Musk A librarianâs apprentice uncovers forbidden magic in a secret martial academy. Aeons once ruled the world. Now, their empire lies in ruin, and the survivors hide on the fringes of society.â¨â¨Nahlia is a librarian's apprentice who's obsessed with Aeon lore, scavenging for hints of their legendary power.â¨â¨But others are searching too, including the Templars who seek to hunt down the Aeon survivors. When the Templars attack her family, Nahlia is forced to infiltrate a secret academy and rise beyond everything she's ever known.â¨â¨The Lost Redeemer is the first book in the Aeonica series, which began as a webnovel with over three million reads between Wattpad and Royal Road. It's a progression fantasy that takes place in a world with advancing technology, including firearms, trains, and airships. Follow Nahlia Cole, along with several other characters as they discover the lost art of Ethermancy and advance their abilities. |
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Wolves Running by Deborah Jarvis The secret is out about the shapeshifters of the world, and as they face the wildly disparate reactions from all parts of the globe, the local groups of shapeshifters are trying to adapt to being in the public eye. For some, like Sasha Wellington, the revelation of her status as a wolf shapeshifter is not something she can reveal just yet in her role as a biology teacher at a Boulder, Colorado high school. As a matter of fact, that is probably the last thing she should consider. Things begin to change when one of her friends from student-teaching days suddenly discovers he is a shapeshifter, and she has to find a way to get him trained so that he will be able to keep her secret. Bringing the younger wolf home to her familyâs house for New Year's, Sasha discovers that there is more to her young protĂŠgĂŠ than she originally thought and finds herself at a crossroads between the world she has built for herself in Boulder and the life that has always been hers amid the snow-capped mountains of Wyoming. In order to make these two parts of her life work, she will have to risk not only her livelihood as a teacher, but possibly the safety of her family and her friends in order to help achieve the lasting peace all of the shapeshifters desire. |
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Amiant Soul by Deborah Makarios Ghost has no brother, no kin, no tribe. His only chance to find his own people is a trial mission with legendary adventurers the Three Men. But when their search for a vanished princess collides with his missing past, he must decide what price he's willing to pay to finally belong. And his is not the only soul at stake... |
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Jem, a Girl of London by Delaney Green Winner of a 2015 North Street Book Prize. âI would have adored this book as a thirteen-year-old who was very interested in history and science, and I enjoyed it immensely as an adult...." ~ Ellen LaFleche, assistant judge, North Street Book Prize When Jenna Connolly is orphaned in eighteenth century London, she faces two problems: first, she must find a way to stay out of the workhouse and off the streets; second, she must find a way to shake the disturbing visions sheâs been having ever since her fatherâs death. Jenna doesnât want to hear what animals are thinking. She doesnât want to know what diseases lurk inside complete strangers. Jenna solves her first problem by disguising herself as a boy and calling herself âJem.â This lands her a home with a doctor and a job with an apothecary. She even gets to take lessons from the American scientist, Ben Franklin. But Jemâs visions get scarier and harder to control, especially when she learns that a stranger with a patch over his eye has hired spies to find her. Who does Patch work for? Why does he want Jem? Why canât Jem shake her strange visionsâand why did she start having them in the first place? |
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Creatures of the Malignant Thicket by Demetria Meltinos Humans and dinosaurs should have never lived at the same time, but here they are: surviving together in precarious harmony. Fara Adven is a fierce advocate for the protection of Dinosaursâdespite the fact that she is orphaned because of them. When a stampede breaches the City-State walls, Fara doesnât think twice before stepping in to stop it. In the wake of destruction, Faraâs discovery of a dinosaur hybrid becomes a beacon of hope for her, and a target for those seeking power. The political conflict with Metanoia, a neighboring City-State coveting their land, escalates as they learn of Faraâs unique charge and her unparalleled understanding of dinosaur behavior. They aim to exploit her knowledge to domesticate dinosaurs for their own ends. As Fara raises the dinosaur hybrid, finding in it a kindred spirit and a reason to look beyond her grief, she must navigate a treacherous path between safeguarding her new companion and preventing her enemies from using her abilities to tip the balance of power. Will her determination and unique bond with the hybrid lead to a new era of coexistence, or will it ignite a war that could spell the end for both species? Echoing the emotional depth and resilience found in Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent and the complex, richly drawn conflicts of The Grey Gates series by Vanessa Nelson, The Mesozoic is an action-packed fantasy novel that delves into themes of survival, the quest for understanding, and the fight for a better future. |
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Infinite: Rise of a Rebel by Diana Priyanka Chowdhury Leon Hearth-Bringer is being watched... The enslavers of his kind are now after his ancestral powers. How will he escape this dark & dangerous situation? Read this book right now to find out! |
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Moonshadow's Guardian by Dianna Gunn All Riana has ever wanted is freedom. Unfortunately, thatâs the one thing her kind cannot have. Bound by the curse in her demonic blood for millennia, Riana has tried several times to bend the rules and live out her life in the mortal realm. Now her consistent rule breaking has drawn the attention of Loki, God of Mischief, the main tormentor of Rianaâs kind. But instead of punishing her, he offers her the escape she has always desired. All she has to do is save the kingdom of Moonshadow from a mysterious magical plague. Armed only with the inherent power of her own blood and Lokiâs pet dragon, Riana is determined to fight for the right to create her own destiny. However, when her mission forces her to destroy the last remnants of an ancient culture, Riana must ask â what is freedom really worth? Moonshadowâs Guardian is a tale about the meaning of belonging, and the struggle to create a future not defined by your past. |
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Clysm Games: Dark Seeds by Dom Sabasti [must be read in *movie guy* voice] In the wake of an arcane cataclysm, in a storm of lust and deceit, swirling in shadows of ancient magic, a brilliant light shines, eager to breed. |
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Smoker on the Porch by Dom Watson 1989. Suffolk, England All the children saw it. Out there, in the night-time swirl of dreamy sleep. The House of Sweet Things. It promised full bellies forever. On the periphery of childhood to adolescence, Jake and his friends wonder where their lives are heading. An accidental encounter with Francis William Biggot propels them into a battle for their souls. Not just their own, but those of the whole world. Jake will face a choice and a journey like no other. Be at Biggot's side and have the power of a god, or be a boy. |
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Wings and Wounds by Dr. S.K. Burkman Doc is just an ordinary veterinarian trying to make ends meet â until she stumbles upon an injured dragon and her world is turned upside down. Unable to resist helping an animal in need, she cares for the creature, but quickly realizes she may have bitten off more than she can chew as dragons from far and wide begin seeking out her medical assistance. Soon, Docâs peaceful veterinary clinic becomes a trial by fire as she develops dragon medicine on the fly while trying to keep her unpredictable, occasionally destructive patients a secret. As she navigates unfamiliar anatomy, perilous physiology, and peculiar behavior, Doc must learn to bond with the extraordinary creatures that have chosen to trust her with not only their own lives, but their speciesâ survival. Can the Dragon Doc find a way to balance her normal life with helping her new patients â or will her career and her clinic go down in flames? One thing is for sure: life with dragons is never dull. And in the end, Doc might need the dragons just as much as they need her. |
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Severed Legacy by E.M. Zolotor A stunning illustrated book for readers of fantasy adventuresâfeaturing black-and-white illustrations in every chapter. You will never find your way. You are lost. Such are the hauntings of Eos Bellator, trapped in the North American Sector desert by a never-ending sandstorm. The government forces the orphan siblings, Eos and Maxima, to harvest their Soul Energy, providing power for the Sector. Beyond the sands lies a tattered world being vied for by many forces. Yet, the biggest threat to Eos is not having control over his emotion-driven abilities. When fear overwhelms him, disaster strikes, and the siblings are separated. They learn that they are not alone. The Mitad, an off-world organization of similarly super-powered members, is attempting to capture them. The government has them cornered. A crazed prisoner seems to hold the answers. So begins a journey of high-powered, dangerous adventure. Eos and Maxima's search for freedom and the truth about their past leads them to pursue a mysterious world they never knew existedâHyperborea. |
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Counsel of the Wicked by Elizabeth Schechter Matthias has spent his whole life on the edge of a very small world. The bastard child of a fallen woman, he's known nothing but judgment and hatred from the harsh, religious people of his enclave--except for Balthazar. The son and heir of the High Elder, Balthazar shows Matthias kindness, love... and desire. But when the High Elder discovers what his son has been doing, Matthias is arrested and sent to an isolated prison known as the School. There, and in the wastelands beyond, Matthias learns the secrets behind the hypocrisies of the Council of Elders, and his true heritage, true power, and true love. |
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Throne in the Dark by A. K. Caggiano His dark destiny awaits, and nothing will stand in his way. Except her. Dark lord Demon spawn Prophesied realm destroyer With a demon for a father, Damien Maleficus Bloodthorneâs destiny could be nothing but nefarious, and with the completion of his most vicious spell, Damien is on the cusp of fulfilling the evil inevitability all of his dark machinations have led to. And then, her. Bubbly Obnoxious Blonde Harboring secrets of her own, a tiny yet troublesome thief calling herself Amma completely upsets Damienâs malevolent plans when she mistakenly gets chained to his side through magic, forcing him to drag her across the realm. Killing her would fix things, of course, but the nauseatingly sweet Amma proves herself useful on Damien's unholy crusade and then proves herself the source of something even more sinister: feelings. Will Damien be forced to abandon his villainous birthright to help the tender thorn in his side? Or will he manage to overcome the virtue Amma insists on inspiring and instead cut it out at the heart? |
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The Crippled King by A. Trae McMaken Who can withstand the vengeance of dwarven kings?â¨â¨The life of a dwarven prospector is one of shame, loneliness, and a constant battle for survival. Striking it rich is the only way for Naen to keep his bones from bleaching in the sun without heritage or memory. When riches finally fall into his hands, he encounters a group of indentured servants fleeing from a vengeful master. A dwarf-maid named Jade leads the refugees, but she has her own desires for her future and they donât seem to include Naen. Yet in the face of the brutal wilderness, they need help to survive, and the experienced Naen could give it. When spring comes, should he leave them to their fate and return to the wilds alone, or should he stay with the outlaw dwarves and face the coming onslaught? Mocked as the King of the Cripples, the epithet could become Naenâs true heritage as the ragged refugees prepare their mine to withstand the vengeance of dwarven kings. |
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Darkness of the Northern Sky by A.E. Engle Can a battle-weary warrior stop a vengeful sorceress from building an empire of evil? Commander Soltari is jaded by battle and returns home to his wife and daughter to lay down his sword for good. When nightmarish hordes suddenly strike his city and murder his family, he promises to find and destroy the sadistic sorceress behind the raid. Blinded by his desire for revenge, he leads an army deep into a frozen wasteland to strike first and stop her next attack. But a supernatural event wipes out his force, leaving him and a handful of soldiers stranded in the barren lands. Driven to madness, Soltari swears to return to his homeland and fulfill the promise he made. Yet, now the sorceress holds his lands captive, preparing for her next deadly attack. Can Soltari rise from the void of his inner abyss to return and save his homeland before the sorceress unleashes another wave of destruction? For fans of classic sword and sorcery comes Darkness of the Northern Sky, a story of one soldierâs journey to reclaim his home, his land, and honor his family. |
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âWe never steal children. We only swap them. An eye for an eye, a child for a child." Aiden's mission to retrieve the Sword Master from demon territory doesn't go to plan as he falls dangerously in love with the Swordsmaster, Keera. She's pretty as a fae, and a strong, graceful fighter and with every movement she makes, he falls harder. Keera and Aiden both ignore all the warnings, marry, and have two beautiful daughters. Meanwhile, Keeraâs swords, forged with cold iron and adorned with fae silver, have angered the fae. Determined to pay the humans back, the ruler of FaerLand, Queen Persephone, orders Lettie to switch her beloved changeling, Nada, for one of Keera and Aidenâs children. Lettieâs heart breaks as Nada is torn from her hands and replaced with a snotty human child. Now, the one person she loved in all the world is gone, she will do anything to bring Nada back... ...including killing Keera and Aiden to end the fairy bargain. If you love fae, fairytales, and heart-pounding adventure pick up your copy of Into FaerLand today. |
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The White Mask Society by A.M. Colwell When Yara Rivers has a vision of her capture by a mad scientist, she tries to discover if her future is set in stone or if she has control over her own destiny. Alongside her three Guardians, including a nymph and a shape shifter, her life changes from that of a simple girl trying to make it through her last year of high school to a seer fighting for her life. Book 1 in the White Mask Society series. |
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Father of Constructs by Aaron Renfroe #1 Best Seller and #1 New Release - LitRPG with heart! Lorith's magic is fading. Centuries ago, heroic adventurers stopped the World Bossâ cycle of rebirth by reducing the creature to one hit point and sealing it away so no one would ever find it. But, by ending one calamity, they halted the natural flow of magic within the world and brought about the Havoc Plague. With all civilization now on the brink of collapse, humanity's only hope is to find and kill the World Boss in order to restart the monster's rebirth cycle and bring back magic. When the Plagued janitor Harvey stumbles into a mysterious wreckage and accidentally kills the missing World Boss, he gains a million experience points, making him the target of almost all the would-be adventurers of the world. Burdened with ancient knowledge, and hunted by countless rivals, he must join with unlikely allies to do the unthinkable: find the reincarnated World Boss and defeat it again, before it can ravage the world anew. Father of Constructs is an optimistic LitRPG novel with a dash of Slice of Life. |
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Mushroom Blues by Adrian M. Gibson âA fascinating merging of oppressive imperialism and disconcerting alienation.ââAdrian Tchaikovsky, award-winning author of Children of Time & Shadows of the Apt SPFBO X Finalist. Readers' Favorite Book Award Finalist. ENTER THE FUNGALVERSE. Blade Runner, True Detective and District 9 meld with the weird worlds of Jeff VanderMeer, Philip K. Dick and China MiĂŠville in Adrian M. Gibsonâs hallucinatory, fungalpunk noir debut. Two years after a devastating defeat in the decade-long Spore War, the island nation of HĹppon and its capital city of Neo Kinoko are occupied by invading Coprinian forces. Its fungal citizens are in dire straits, wracked by food shortages, poverty and an influx of war refugees. Even worse, the corrupt occupiers exploit their power, hounding the native population. As a winter storm looms over the metropolis, NKPD homicide detective Henrietta Hofmann begrudgingly partners up with mushroom-headed patrol officer Koji Nameko to investigate the mysterious murders of fungal and half-breed children. Their investigation drags them deep into the seedy underbelly of a war-torn city, one brimming with colonizers, criminal gangs, racial division and moral decay. In order to solve the case and unravel the truth, Hofmann must challenge her past and embrace fungal ways. What she and Nameko uncover in the midst of this frigid wasteland will chill them to the core, but will they make it through the storm alive? âThis is like nothing Iâve read before. Its premise is cool, creepy, and incredibly unique, bolstered by prose as savvy and knife-sharp as the detectives of the NKPD.ââNicholas Eames, award-winning author of Kings of the Wyld & Bloody Rose âThis is more than a full-throttle, mushroom-and-blood-drenched adventure. At its heart, Gibson's story is one of acceptance: of hard truths, of others, and, perhaps most critically, of oneself.ââM. J. Kuhn, internationally bestselling author of Among Thieves & Thick as Thieves âMushroom Blues is a brilliant debut that encapsulates all I love about the noir mystery genre.â âR.R. Virdi, bestselling author of The First Binding & The Grave Report âThe imagination on display in Mushroom Blues is immense. Prepare to enter a fantasy world unlike anything you've ever seen, one that surprises, delights, and grosses the fuck out.ââMoses Ose Utomi, author of The Lies of the Ajungo |
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Seeds of Inheritance by Aimee Kuzenski A decade ago, Berenike, adept of the Fingertip Order, conspired to put her son on the throne at the head of a group of rebels who only wanted their futures back. Â She failed. Â Her son and husband dead, her dreams and reputation in tatters, Berenike makes the only bargain she can - she gives her magic-sealed oath to serve emperor Leontios the Unbending in exchange for the life of her young daughter, Evrim. Â Now, after her failure to help the rebels and her years of slavery and humiliation, Berenike is dealt yet another blow. Evrim, frustrated with her mother's dedication to a lost cause, rejects Berenike's plans. She will not fight the battles Berenike cannot. Â Berenike must find a way to unseat Leontios and redeem her promises to the rebels, all while navigating an almost unbreakable oath. Alone and disregarded, she will use any weapon that comes to hand - even if that weapon is her own daughter. |
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This is the story of how monsters saved their corner of the world. Whether they deserved to be saved is another story. For years, High Seer Aurienne has lived with a single haunting truth-her visions will not save her people from the prophesied apocalyptic war that's always haunted her nightmares. That all changes the day blacksmith Theo saves her life. She foresees Theo's destiny to gather the continent's five warring nations to stand against the invading forces. Suffering the soul-rending consequences of spirit necromancy, Aurienne finds herself fighting to survive a deadly web of assassination attempts, mind-shattering visions, and ruinous betrayal. Theo cannot refuse when Aurienne asks for his help to save their people. He travels the length of the continent facing timeworn superstitions coming to life as he asks neighboring nations to join their cause. Refusing to let down the woman he's falling in love with-even though the fates whisper she will never love him back-he assembles an army of rebels fighting to retain their humanity as the corrupted magic of the land transforms them into the monsters of legend. Saving the world does not come without cost. Standing against the conquering emperor, backed by his bloodthirsty goddess and moon-cursed army, Aurienne and Theo must decide whether to unleash forces more monstrous than the enemy they're fighting against. |
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A Witch's Guide to Business by Alex Evans In the free port city of Barramar, the only law is the law of money. Here, the dingy taverns and the opulent teahouses alike thrum with the whispers of dark dealings. It's a place for the ruthless â spies and smugglers, or the desperateârefugees running from war, opression and poverty. Trust is a rare currency and alliances, as fluid as water. After spending their youth on opposing sides of a brutal war, Tanit Murali and Padma Amrithar are as different as night and day. One is a former spy, a rogue with a serious taste for violence, brandy and handsome men. The other is a compassionate surgeon and devoted family mother. They share but one thing: their rare magic gift. Forming an unlikely partnership, they run together an occult business. Their enterprise is thriving until two peculiar cases land on their doorstep: a murderous vampire ensnared by a hex and a string of deadly mishaps in a notorious factory operated by zombies. Pursuing the truth leads them to the city's influential high priest of the god of wealth. Soon, they uncover a web of intrigue and realize that humans are far more dangerous than magic creatures. A special note for readers: this book contains a lot of different characters and a lot of worldbuilding. If you prefer your settings conventional and your story focused on a few heroes and villains, you probably won't enjoy this novel. |
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Trollgrave by Alex S. Bradshaw Something stirs in the Forest of Broken Trolls... Despite all his skill in healing and runecraft, God-Speaker Alvir Einarson could not save everyone. In the wake of failure, he seeks aid from an old mentor and witnesses a wave of darkness sweep over the land that, for a single moment, extinguishes all magic. In the capital, he discovers a fellow god-speaker is missing and the streets swarming with Windborn - resurrected warriors gifted with supernatural powers by the godsâ enemies. Answers await in the Forest of Broken Trolls, but within its sinister depths even the godsâ protection may not be enough, and no more so than now, when the godsâ strength may be fading and dark powers are on the rise. One thing is certain: Alvir Einarson would rather die than let the gods fall. Trollgrave is a standalone Norse fantasy filled with fanatical outlaws, strange magic, and vicious monsters. |
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Woe to the Stargazers by Alex Shipper Heroes strive to end the world. Villains fight to save it. Kelydy just wants to go home. But it's too late. Heâs been sucked into this backwards debate with no way out, forced to choose. Either preserve his spoiled, rotting reality or obliterate it forever. Either side with the selfish, narrow-minded saviors, or join the misguided bringers of doom. Saints clash over holy ground. Cults squabble and scheme in secret. Divine weapons are forged and shattered until the morality of creation itself is brought into question. Why begin if the end is inevitable? Why live, only then to die? Kelydy doesnât know. Kelydy just wants to go home. But he must make a decision. Which side would you choose? Woe to the Stargazers is a standalone tragic fantasy set in a world filled with mythos and mystery. Explore new societies and cultures as they each wrestle with their own inevitable end in unique, gut-wrenching ways. |
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Souls chained to the earth scream for release, and nightmares devour dreams. Aysa, the Shepherd of Dreams, hides in the dream world from a past she yearns to forget. But when the scent of rotting flowers wafts through the Nexus, and multiplying nightmares nip at her heels, she realizes itâs her responsibility as the goddess Muskaâs chosen to protect her realm. And then a dreamer notices her for the first time... Lazarus hates the power the god Lokahn cursed him with â as a spirit seeker, heâs tasked to wander Bodhira, sending off lingering souls to the unknown. In one town, he stumbles across a mass grave and fails to free the spirits, as theyâre bound to the earth by another spirit seekerâs magic. Determined to liberate the souls, he seeks help from an unlikely source. A woman from his dream, with blue eyes and feathers in her hair... Aysa and Lazarus reluctantly make a pact to restore the balance between dreams and nightmares, as well as life and death. |
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The Autumn Apprentice by Alexandra Runes A disabled young woman opens her heart to a man with a soul full of secrets and magic of the darkest kind⌠Kirzemaj RĂźdisch, daughter of a wealthy merchant family, is soon coming of age and ready to enter society. Recovering from a curse that left her disabled, Kirze has spent much of her life in convalescence and seclusion, and now she must learn everything all over again. Under the guidance of Master AndruĹĄ BagadĂşr, Kirze discovers not only her lost abilities but a wider world beyond her privileged lifeâand feelings that call all her beliefs into question. As the reality of the world unravels, Kirzemaj is torn between duty and desireâbecause the man is twice her age, of an undesirable, foreign background, and has a darkness about him that, even with her new-found knowledge, Kirze cannot explain⌠A romantic fantasy, The Autumn Apprentice is set in a world evocative of Hanseatic Northern Europe and inspired by the histories and mythologies around the Baltic Sea. |
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Merewif: the Mermaid Witch by Amanda Adam When Madge receives a moonstone necklace on her sixteenth birthday, she discovers she is not only a mermaid, but also, a witch. Problem is, she never knew either existed in the first place. As if wrapping her head around the fact that sheâs a mermaid-witch isnât enough, it also turns out her parents were royalty to her kind and didnât die as sheâs been told her entire life. Instead, they were murdered by her estranged aunt Viviane, who is now after her. If Madge is to prove herself fit to lead her kind, sheâll have to hone her newfound Vala and unravel clues from her motherâs tome. But when Madge uncovers the dark power her murderous aunt wields, will she have what it takes to save them all? |
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Quaint Creatures: Magical & Mundane by Andrew D Meredith When a city councilor comes into Quaint Creatures and asks veterinary doctor Norrik Softstep to investigate the magical crate confiscated by his customs agency, the entire staff of Quaint Creatures will need all their skills and knowledge to unravel the troubles threatening the relatively peaceful city of Brightfall. From liches seeking city approval for their public adventurer dungeon, to strange goings on at the pet food factory, no problem is too magical nor mundane for Rik and his friends. |
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Facing Shadows by Anna J Worthy #1 Ranking in Teen and Young Adult Epic Fantasy eBooks! Dangerous chasms. Deadly monsters. Treacherous powerplays. And only a handful of young Denizens can save their village from utter ruin. â¨â¨"Weâre more than our worst impulses, more than the shadows we face." When Evaya, a 16-year-old warrior, stumbles into one of the mysterious chasms that have suddenly appeared near her remote island village, sheâs determined to find whatâs causing them before another one destroys them all. If only it were that simple. Her concerns are ignored by her villageâs Elders who are distracted by the decades-long feud between warriors and huntersâa conflict that has Evaya questioning which side she should be on. And a desperate power-play made by the volatile Elder warrior, Delcrom, could unravel any hope of unity. Meanwhile, a prophesy suggests that pairing Evaya with the flawless young hunter, Rykas, would finally end the village feud. But she has developed complicated feelings for Aldric, a brooding cook whoâs fallen hard for her. The only thing Aldric wants more than Evaya is to defeat his father, Delcrom, who intends to pair Evaya with Valgrun, a villainous young warrior who will stop at nothing to claim her. Evaya must unite her people and confront the mystery of the chasms before itâs too late. But can she save them without sacrificing her heart? |
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The Best of Us Is the Last of Us by Anthony Halligan Enter a world where forgotten magic thrums in the very air and danger lurks around every corner. Awakening in a realm tinged with mystery and wonder, a spirited young woman finds herself at the heart of an extraordinary journey shrouded in secrets, prophecies, and ancient powers waiting to be unleashed. As she navigates through perilous quests and unexpected alliances, her quest for self-discovery intertwines with the fate of realms on the brink of chaos. A chance encounter with an enigmatic wizard sets her on a path rife with trials and revelations, leading her to confront not just her past but a future enmeshed with destiny itself. Beset by dragon fire and shadowy betrayals, her metamorphosis heralds the resurgence of forgotten magic and the awakening of a long-dormant legacy. With each step she takes alongside a magnetic rebel leader and his formidable father, she uncovers truths that will shake kingdoms to their core. Amidst a tapestry of love, sacrifice, and treacherous intrigue, she finds herself torn between conflicting loyalties while harnessing powers beyond imagination. As she embraces her legacy, the stage is set for an epic clash that will test the very fabric of existence. Prepare to embark on an odyssey where bonds are forged in fire, destinies are rewritten in blood, and the battle between light and darkness reaches its crescendo - for in this realm of magic and mayhem, our mysterious and courageous heroine will discover that her true power lies not just within her, but in the choices that she makes when faced with the ultimate test of courage. |
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The Plagued Elf by Armanis Ar-feinial In a race against time, Quarala battles against the unknown, desperately striving to save the life of Anaergienne, Malitu's hunter. Armed with her vast knowledge and unwavering determination, she must unravel the mysteries of a disease that has eluded even the most skilled healers. Will she succeed in her quest to find a cure and restore him? Dive into this gripping tale of magic, courage, and sacrifice, and prepare to be spellbound. |
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A Rose Among Thorns by Ash Fitzsimmons Runner-up, The Book Bloggers' Novel of the Year Award 2023 No one said anything about an attack vine. Rose Thorn should never be left unsupervised around plants. Potted things tend to die around her as if on principle. But when her great-aunt calls and asks Rose to watch her garden nursery for a few days, Rose can hardly say no. After all, Aunt Lily is the closest thing Rose has to a grandmotherâand the only family she has leftâso Rose doesnât mind driving out to her tiny mountain town to look after the place. Aunt Lily never mentioned anything about an inspection, however. Rose is taken aback when an agent from an organization sheâs never heard of arrives and panics to find Aunt Lily missing. As it turns out, Aunt Lily hasnât been entirely straight with Rose. Sheâs not visiting a sick friendâsheâs in danger and on the run. She keeps a hidden greenhouse on the property in which she grows highly regulated magical plants. And sheâs an elfâŚas was Roseâs grandfather. Though stunned to witness magic at work and shocked that no one ever divulged the family secret, Rose refuses to abandon the nursery until her great-aunt is safely home. But as she and the agent, now awkward housemates, try to keep up their cover story and find the missing grower, they realize that whatever led to Aunt Lilyâs disappearance might not be the only magical crime in progress. And while Rose has no green thumb, another talent of hers may be budding⌠|
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A Drifting Sun by Ashley Capes Born without a face, Iggy is an outcast in his own village, surrounded by those who both fear his powerful telekinesis as much as they rely upon it for survival. But Iggyâs gift often feels closer to a curse, and after a tragic accident, he disappears on the day of his Exile. Only his sister Mei follows, chasing Iggy into the hostile nation of Nasaru â a land that sees them as nothing more than enemies to be captured or killed on sight. Two other quests are afoot in the land of Nasaru, with each seeker fated to cross paths with both Mei and Iggy. Anyo, disdained as the Beggar Prince, is desperate to win back his honour by unearthing a legendary blade, unaware of dangerous ambitions lurking within himself. Veteran Greyshield and kingâs assassin, Rokura, is charged with rescuing a royal bastard from slavers. But despite Rokuraâs considerable skills, his quarry stays one step ahead, as if receiving aid from unknown quarters. Separately at first, each character must overcome their own demons in time to unite and defeat a rapidly spreading darkness: the Moon Father, an ancient god determined to sow the seeds of chaos⌠|
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Them Old Bones by Astor Y Teller Behind a veil of treachery and haunted bones, a dragon curse is about to set the world ablaze... Dragons didnât exist until recently. Neither did traitors, until Miriam Huckerpucker started nosing around in The Vault where she and the other undeads are holed up, when they are not out in the countryside picking up haunted bones, which is what they do for an unliving. For Miriam, who has been in the game for a while, with a refined skill set in magic spelling and swordy gymnastics and mourning classes, the hard part is not bone picking but catching homing pigeons which like all living beings donât fancy the undead at all. When no pigeons arrive from the undead expedition to barbarian lands, where the first known dragonâs bones lay waiting, Miriam suspects a traitor is messing about with the pigeon post. Mustering someone who is literally dying to get a new occupation and also getting an undead dog into the bargain, her investigations unravel a sinister plot far bigger than The Vault. (Content warnings: Adult situations, Adult language, Murder, Death, Suicide, Fear, Dark Humour) |
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The Apprentice Storyteller by Astrid V.J "Set amid an imaginative blend of sci-fi and fantasy, the novelâs fictional universe is vividly realized and will grab curious readers. The book works in thought-provoking themes that will further draw readers in." BookLife Prize The Alchemist meets fantasy with a splash of space opera. Viola Alerion, a renowned storyteller in the Haldrian Empire, wants to be left in peace. For years, sheâs been hounded by her past, never to find a momentâs rest. Then she meets a boy who wants to become her apprentice. He refuses to take no for an answer, and she reluctantly yields, even though she knows taking him with her could endanger his life. As their journey progresses, Viola begins to understand sheâs not the only teacher in the equation. The nameless boy also has something to teach, but Viola makes for a reluctant student. Can she give way to possibility and embrace a future in alignment with what sheâs always wanted? Can she find the courage to embrace the principles that will transform her life? Can she overcome her circumstances and face her past? Or will she keep on running with nowhere to hide? And what of the boy who guards untold secrets and exhibits mysterious powers that defy belief? The e-book of The Apprentice Storyteller also includes exclusive access to "Viola's Guide to Achieving the Impossible". This workbook to help guide you through the first steps towards achieving your own dream is based on key transformational principles from the DreamBuilder⢠Course and is not intended for publication. The workbook is only accessible through The Apprentice Storyteller e-book. The link to Viola's Guide to Achieving the Impossible is embedded in a concealed place. This is a treasure hunt. Good luck! This book is accompanied by The Wordmage's Tales, a series of novellas based on the tales the apprentice learns from Viola Alerion in this story. The Sewing Princess is exclusively available to my newsletter subscribers and Dragons' Daughter is available to pre-order. |
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Tigris Vetus by D. L. Lewellyn When destiny gives you three paths, choose the fourth. I doodle this in my art journal because it seems like the answer to my riddle. Some say having choices is a good thing. I've learned that three possible roads to the future mean confusion and heartache. It all started when I shot an alien prince on a highway near Lake Tahoe⌠Well, to be honest, it began when I met a towering man with chestnut eyes who captured my heart despite his best efforts to leave me out of his dangerous world. Andras is my mate, but he's compelled by fate to join forces with a rival alpha to support my prophetic mission. Elliott and his pack are family now, and Elliott looks at me like Andras does. Both men tug on my heartstringsâand that's not my biggest problem. After a battle with said alien prince, we regroup at my brother's fishing lodge in Ketchikan. I haven't seen Dylan in years. There's a reason for that, which makes me sadder than our separation. Then, my vampire friend enlists my help on a mission. When Andras finds out, I learn what happens when you poke an angry bear. I'm about to make it worse when my instincts urge me to leave my bear and my dragon to follow the ancient tiger, aka the alien prince, to his lairâmy third path in a destiny of choices marked by the moon goddesses of Anurash. ~ Selena Aires ~~~ âââââââEnjoy this thrilling and romantic conclusion to The Starlight Chronicles! *This is not a standalone.* Book One, Ursus Borealis is the start of Selena's journey. Book Two, Drago Incendium dives deeper into her fate and introduces exciting new characters. Review for Tigris Vetus: I cried, I laughed, and I was angry. The ride was so worth it! This series was my introduction to reading this genre. I have found this to be some of the best writing, story telling and follow through on all character paths of any prior reading of any genre. ~ Amazon Reviewer, USA |
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The Mystery of Lancelot Kingdom by AndrĂŠ Alexander The medieval world had survived much, two lifetimes had thrown at it the wrath of the gods, when the air turned to ash, the earth divided and the rivers ran red. On one continent three distinctly different ways of life evolved at three vastly different paces. The Mystery of Lancelot Kingdom is the first novel in a medieval fantasy novel series, set in the world of T.O.K; The Prophecy of the Orphan King. A world where Pagans and Christians clash, supernatural abilities aids human natures thirst for power. A world where prejudice is rife, civil wars and land disputes are ongoing, and many long for the peace that might come upon the return of The One Rightful King prophesied long ago. This chapter of the saga holds its own as a standalone book, that follows Princess Juliet of Jewel kingdom and her pagan stepsister on a treacherous journey, through the ungoverned borderlands, to the neighbouring kingdom of Lancelot. Princess Juliet is set to be wed in a union that will fortify two of the three Kingdoms. A union opposed by the third Kingdom, Clorestica, ruled in tyranny by The Temptress. Their travels take them on a tale of mystery, treachery, and dealings with unsavoury characters. After a series of supernatural occurrences, odd alliances, a strange inscription and not knowing who to trust; they seek the help of the Maester from the Capital City of Colemunster, the reincarnated seer who prophesied the rise of the one orphan king to rule it all. Unknown to the orphans, Morgan had secretly shaped their lives and assured they were âfosteredâ or taken into employ with people of influence: Who knows what the squire to a knight or the cup bearer to a king might learn if they cept an ear to the ground. Deprived of the wisdom and guidance a parent would give, the gods chose to bestow to each orphan a special gift, a supernatural ability to aid them through their struggles. Can they overcome their fears, hone and trust their abilities? Together they may uncover decades of secrets, change their stars and grab hold of destiny. Alone one might gain power and rule it all. |
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My Name is not Alice by Angelika Rust Alice is a high school princess. Blonde. Beautiful. Shallow. Until she meets a little white rabbit, and her world turns upside down. The line between reality and fantasy blurs, then vanishes altogether. And Alice becomes a girl who attracts Trouble. Trouble with a capital T. |
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Vengeance Is Our Legacy by M.C. Burnell The difference between justice and revenge may come down to having a friend. The Tabbaqeran Empire is defended by the Scolate, governed by the Illiumate, guided by the Hakam; its people worship and quarrel with a thousand-thousand gods. But there are none more revered than the masters of martial arts who serve as living cages to the Archetypes of War, primal spirits created by Chaos before the dawn of time to destroy the mortal world. A complex class system holds Qanath back from her chosen career, sitting on one of the senates. Her mother, a Senator herself, could change that with ease; itâs a matter of convincing her. Ink drying on her diploma from Magic U, the next step in Qanathâs perfect plan is to get herself apprenticed to Xar anKebbal, the Embodiment of Vengeance. Everyone thinks they know he stopped taking students several years ago, and she isnât prepared to run up against the prickly, hostile foreigner who is secret heir to Xarâs Legacy. When calamity strikes, she follows her new enemy out the door without a strategy. Havec is determined to go home, to find out who had him disappeared six years ago and punish them. Qanath canât stand in his way; he has become Kebbalâs Embodiment and vengeance is his calling. The border between Tabbaqera and his homeland is restive, though, tensions swelling between their peoples. They find rampaging giants, tight-lipped spies, an unnatural winter season that doesnât want to end. Innocents killed in the name of ambition. The cynical, bitter, frightened, angry person Qanath first met wouldnât have been willing to involve himself. That man refused to care about anyone else. Then he got to be friends with a stubborn young woman with a chip on her shoulder and a pocket full of crystals. Come learn more about the power of an unexpected friendship. Pick up this new adult fantasy adventure now. |
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Their Heart A Hive by Fox N. Locke It isnât until meeting Lowen, a lowborn boy dealing with grief and battling bad luck, that the immortal genderqueer aristocrat, Tamorna Rosen Roane, can face the shame of their past lives and move towards catharsis. Inspired as much by the rugged beauty of south-eastern England as Cornish folklore, this summery gothic portrays a queer-normative society with an 18th century flair. A story of shanties and secrets, of long dead giants and merfolk that mind the sea, where piskies provide luck and the beast of Brasbudfand stalks the night. Balancing the macabre and the absurd, this unconventional coming of age story promises twists and turns and lyrical prose aplenty. A story about the power of kindness and empathy and how no one is ever beyond help. If you've a love for Jane Eyre, Dracula and queer-centric stories, this debut YA novel may just be for you. |