Vultures by Luke Tarzjan

An enemy slain is not a conflict won... After decades of war the demon Te Mirkvahíl is dead. But its progeny endure, spilling from the Heart of Mirkúr, sowing death across the land of Ariath. If the people are to finally know peace, the Heart must be destroyed. Theailys An believes he can do just that with The Keepers' Wrath, an infamous power focus wrought in Ariath's yesteryears--but the weapon first must be reforged. War spares no one... Serece never intended to get involved in Ariath's war. But history and demons have a way of pulling strings. When she learns Theailys An, a man whom she abhors, bears striking similarity to the first creator of The Keepers' Wrath, Serece departs her mountain world for Ariath to ascertain the truth. From patience, hope... For millennia Behtréal has walked the world alone. Rewriting history to resurrect his people is easier said than done. But Ariath holds the key--soon The Keepers' Wrath will be remade. Truth from madness... As paths converge and a shadow falls across Ariath, one thing becomes increasingly and horrifyingly clear--these events have played out many times before.

Order of the Red Hoods by Tim Kreher

Werewolves, Melinda didn't believe in them until her bloodline called for her to. Dealing with paralyzing anxiety, Melinda wanted a quiet life, free from inciting situations. But after her best friend drags her to a lunar event, her life changes. A voracious howl erupts in the forest at the bottom of the rocky Lookout Point-a sound only she can hear. Bumping into an odd sibling pair, who know the truth, she is told that she is a descendant in a line of supernatural huntresses. The next day after an attack from a haired beast, the duo appear chasing it down. When Melinda follows them, she shifts through an invisible barrier, ending up in a different time. The three must find their way back, assemble a powerful weapon and kill the Father of Wolves before the next super moon. If they fail, a dark being will enter this realm and destroy the planet with apocalyptic destruction. Will Melinda be able to conquer this inherited task, or will she be subdued by the affects of anxiety?

Warriors of the Suburbs by Tim Kreher

Micas was ready for the summer of his life, going to computer summer camp with his friends for the first time. But then, strange events began to unfold, starting with the disappearance of his beloved uncle, a local university professor. Soon, he would realize this would be anything but a typical summer. Upon his search for his uncle, Micas and his friends discover unusual objects, showcasing elemental powers that beckon them into a trance. Waking from his daze, Micas began seeing a mysterious fox, but there was more to this creature than appearance. The red furred animal was luring him to another world. Will he be able to escape this treacherous new land and find his way back, or remain there forever hunted by sinister stone-like beings?

Lacuna's Point by Tim Meyer

"Utterly immersive and unapologetically visceral..." - Booklist In LACUNA'S POINT, Tim Meyer weaves a macabre tapestry of dread and suspense, enveloping readers in an otherworldly atmosphere that will haunt their thoughts long after the final page is turned. Embrace the sinister allure of Meyer's prose as you traverse the treacherous terrain of this nightmare-inducing world. This is not a tale for the faint of heart - prepare yourself for an immersive and haunting experience that will leave you gasping for breath, your heart pounding in terror. Are you ready to unlock the chilling secrets of Lacuna's Point? Let fear guide your hand as you turn the pages.

Kosa by John Durgin

“Shocking, sinister, equally elegant and brutal. Durgin teases out your sympathy, and then chokes you with it. Kosa is a grim fairytale of innocence in a dark world - and the monsters who prey upon it.” - Felix Blackwell, author of Stolen Tongues In a secluded mansion hidden away from the outside world, young Kosa lives under the strict and overpowering rule of her enigmatic mother. For Kosa, the rules set by Mother are the guiding principles of her life, shaping her beliefs and actions. She has been sheltered from the truth about the world beyond the confines of their home, conditioned to fear the darkness and malevolence that supposedly lurks outside. However, as Kosa grows older, she begins to question the reality she has been presented with. Doubts eat away at her, fueled by a deep-rooted curiosity and a burgeoning sense of independence. But Kosa possesses a mysterious and powerful ability that Mother desperately needs to sustain her own existence. Mother, a figure shrouded in shadows and secrets, will stop at nothing to ensure that Kosa’s power remains potent and under her control. The sinister grasp that Mother has on Kosa becomes increasingly suffocating as she tightens her grip, isolating Kosa further from the truth that exists beyond their home. In this dark and captivating tale, Kosa’s journey unravels the intricacies of control, the strength of one’s convictions, and the true nature of the world beyond the shadows. The choices she makes will not only determine her fate but also influence the fate of those around her.

Gnomes and Knights : A collection of short stories both whimsical and heroic by Michael Parkes

Gnomes and Knights is a book in two parts. Gnomes is a whimsical collection of short stories about Fredrick Jerome Kopillus Gnome and the beautiful garden he calls his home. He's a magical critter who lives in Gertie's garden along with the other denizens, including a mole, a squirrel and a very sassy ant queen. Fred and his friends get up to all sorts of adventures and shenanigans while protecting the garden and venturing into the surrounding areas, like the garden of Gary Gremlin and the forest beyond the fence. With rhyming and magic and whimsy, Gnomes will have you spellbound with delight! Knights is the second part of the book, a tale of a nervous squire becoming an initiate of the Knight's Order and venturing out on a quest to fulfill his dream and his duty of serving his king. At the behest of his king, he sets out to aid the kingdom of Kyrbor in combatting the evil they face. Through cleverness, leadership and courage, Nathan the Knight overcomes obstacles and becomes more confident as he gains allies, helps those he meets along the way, and ultimately faces the cause of the problem head on.

Callus & Crow by DB Rook

SPFBO10

Can a path of blood lead to redemption? Is redemption enough to amend a wayward world? Morality and reality have shifted from their natural axis. Technology and ideology derive from the remnants of a world long dead and segregated by the monsters that now rule the seas. Crow, a young ranch hand, is swept into an odyssey of redemption and revenge as he strives to hold back the ravages of fate and the urges born of a curse shared with his new mentor. Callus, an exile struggling to find redemption whilst keeping his vampiric curse from tainting his new ward, pursues his prey across the sea. The new world they discover reveals a tyrannical society fixated on their council’s ascension to godhood.

How to Fix a Flubbed Summon by L. N. Clarke

Making friends as an adult can be difficult. Summoning one can be a disaster. When apothecary Growina Crowe receives a witch’s grimoire as collateral, she attempts to summon an otherworldly companion. In the process, she forgets a boiling teapot, topples candles, and sets her herb garden ablaze. The next morning, a magic-eating monster besets her town, prompting a bounty hunt. Growina fears she may be responsible, but there are only two ways to find out for sure: wait for bounty hunters to catch her, or join one of the adventuring parties. Unfortunately, she lacks the social skills to make friends, or she would never have tried to summon one. Several cities away, actor Florian Honeybeard—unrecognizable without his feminine makeup—is mistaken for a soothsayer and accidentally kidnapped. To survive, he must improvise the role and assist a team of mercenaries. Their mission: collect the bounty on the magic-eating monster and apprehend the person responsible.

Dojakai: The BrixCity A.C.T - Cloutless by Cordell Charles

In a world where competition is everything, and notoriety, is considered currency. Dojakai tells the story of Auraluke, a 13 year old boy, raised just outside of society’s logic. Born in seclusion with only his father’s guidance; Auraluke has been training his entire life, without the treasures of fame and glory. But this world is different. The world was also once plagued by beasts, born from the stars; known as Dojakai. Hip to the world, but forbidden from participating in society’s politics, Auraluke longs to find his place between mind, body and his own sense of will. Who is his father? Why has he been training him in seclusion? ..What the heck is Clout? Adventure awaits, in this introduction to the series. Dojakai: The BrixCity Sagas… Book 1

Nia Rae: A book about boobs and space and stuff (The Kali Series, #1) by Debbie Taylor

Nia Rae, daughter of Senator and Senator Rae, has an unfortunate habit of doing stupid things in front of cameras. When her latest mishap causes her to accidently halt time travel she finds herself (and her boobs) in the centre of a media frenzy. She also learns that she isn't who she thinks she is and a whole host of people are out to kill her. Oh and the man she loves is in love with her ex-boyfriend. Part one of an epic polyamorous bisexual science fiction romance that will change the course of history.

Oaths of Life and Death by L. Cyrus Whelchel

Of the five faumen tribes, the cat-like Norzen are viewed as dangerous outcasts, rejected by many for the sins of their most infamous member: the heretical Cacovis. Kai is a young Norzen apothecary serving as a member of the Hunter Corps, dedicated to culling dangerous beasts which wander into the Grand Duchy of Livoria. After a hunt goes terribly wrong, Kai is left the sole survivor of his squad while a rebel faction within Livoria, the Liberation Army, desires the eradication of all faumen and fans the flames of civil war. Now on the run, Kai finds himself responsible for leading a pair of local women to safety amid the turmoil, one of whom actively mistrusts him. Joined by other outcasts on their journey, it becomes difficult to differentiate friend and foe as the Liberation Army continues its advance. Worse still, Kai remains haunted by Grimghast, the beast that killed his squad, leaving him torn between revenge and protecting his new crew. As centuries-old tensions boil over and shocking truths about his past are revealed, Kai and his rag-tag group fight to not only protect Livoria's future but also save themselves from enslavement or death.

Last Skies Afire (Digitesque, #6) by Guerric Haché

Worlds once alive are being destroyed; worlds once dormant must be brought back to life. Weapons that have long been wielded must be returned to the sheath; things never truly grasped must be wielded as weapons. What can Ada do, as planets burn under the inexorable advance of a machine fleet? What can Isavel do, from a shackled homeworld that has not been heard from in a thousand years? And what might they both do, if they were no longer alone? When seals are broken and barriers fail, when distances shrink to nothing and options dwindle into despair, both Ada and Isavel see only one way forward into a world that still lives on the other side of the fire: Let all hell break loose. All at once. And pray chaos is on their side.

Fourth Under Sol (Digitesque, #5) by Guerric Haché

Isavel was sure she was a gods-forged weapon. It seemed painfully obvious. So with her second life falling to pieces all around her, and nowhere left to go, she stands before them again, one last time - hoping, for once, to be a double-edged sword. Arguments with gods rarely end well, however. Now thrown so far off the path that no walking or wings could ever bring her home again, she finds the self-destructive legacy of her ancestors stretches far further afield than she could have imagined. The same old bones lie under alien soils, the same wars echo in different blood, the same silent stars twinkle above barren skies. And looming over it all, the same inscrutable gods - only these ones are within reach. And with every scuff and every broken promise, the visage of these gods crumbles away until Isavel finds herself staring at what lurks in their hearts and their roots. But these gods still stand, and still the worlds turn, and somehow she must find a path to her home, and a home for her heart. These old gods may stand in her way, and their wastelands may sap her strength. But she is a weapon, of a kind no god has ever known. And arguments with gods rarely end well.

The Broken Third (Digitesque, #4) by Guerric Haché

Out between stars and planets that left Earth behind many centuries ago, Ada Liu discovers a thriving but strangely archaic interstellar civilization - a Union of ancient colonies that have survived a war of apocalyptic proportions. Expecting to uncover the roots of Earth's downfall, she instead finds this society built by strange humans and familiar aliens is threatening, bewildering, and not at all what she had hoped. Her abandonment of Isavel Valdéz haunts her as she travels further and further, but with an array of hunters breathing down her neck and no way to return, Ada needs to gather what little help she can and find refuge between the cold vacuum of space and the unfamiliar soils of new worlds. She has one unsettling advantage: for better or worse, Ada is a strange daughter of a stranger Earth, and is perhaps the second most dangerous thing this Union has ever faced.

Second Contact (Digitesque Book 3) by Guerric Haché

Ada and Isavel still aren't sure if they are enemies, allies, rivals, or something else entirely - but the world is conspiring to force them into a decision. Peace between humans and their inhuman neighbours is crumbling, a millenium of stasis can no longer hold, ancient gods are losing their grip on Earth, and something from beyond the world is coming. There are cities to save, curses to lift, and exiles to end. Ada must say goodbye to the few allies she has, and her time to solve an ancient wrong done to humanity is running out. Isavel must save a city that will no longer listen to her, and is rushing into a war it may pay far too dearly to win. To achieve anything at all, the two of them may need to close the gap that separates them and start anew.

First Angels (Digitesque, #2) by Guerric Haché

Isavel has seen what comes after death, and wishes it on no one. Miraculous in the eyes of her peers and her elders, she has become the gods’ unwitting hand in an effort to stop an invasion of otherworldly creatures who would take human bodies as their own. She may fight bravely, but she is also beginning to learn that her influence may come at the cost of who she once was. But this invasion is not incomprehensible. Ada's ancestors corrupted the world this enemy is fleeing from, and so she believes the war is her problem to fix. After all, if civilization is to be built anew, the crisis threatening to destroy what little remains of it must be solved first, and Ada sees nobody better placed than herself to save the world and reverse Earth’s decline. As they both fight to restore the world, their disparate fates weave ever closer together. These gods-chosen mortals know each other’s face, but each has yet to understand who the other truly is, and the consequences of their collision could resonate beyond Earth, out into the stars that still keep watch over this forgotten planet.

Unusual Light by J. Elizaga

Engineering student Ana Juliet (AJ) takes a summer job as a swing-shift security guard at a hospital morgue--the same morgue once investigated by the police for unusual calls received during full moons. And the calls happen only when Matt, a guard assigned to the overnight shift, is on duty. AJ scoffs at the idea of otherworldly activities. But soon after, she witnesses a mysterious orb. The orb reveals itself to be the ghost of Binni Almond, a teenager who went missing thirty years ago. Despite AJ’s shock, she befriends Binni. She vows to use her problem-solving abilities to find Binni’s family and solve the mystery of the young girl’s disappearance. But darker spirits are afoot. As AJ descends to the morgue’s basement to capture evidence of Binni’s remains, Matt’s visions worsen. Evil spirits surge around the premises. And AJ is in danger of getting caught in the middle of a paranormal showdown.

The Aqua Human by J. Elizaga

A teenager in the Pacific during World War II, evades capture by escaping to sea. She survives a tragedy and discovers new physical abilities underwater. Alone, she grapples to survive on land. But under the sea, she finds friendship from the most intelligent marine creatures. Over the decades, Amaya searches for the answer about her mysterious transformation while hiding her secret. But her secret may have finally been captured on film.

Dragon Your Bones by Tatiana Obey

Rasia is determined to slay a dragon for her Forging, a trial each child must succeed to come of age. All she needs to do is find the dragon’s den, slay the winged bastard, and haul it home before the deadline ends. Not so easy. But Rasia has Kai on her team—who may or may not have some secrets up his shroud. Nico needs to prepare for the bloodrites, a ritual ceremony as bloody as the name. If she succeeds, she’ll earn the title of Ohan, but first she’ll have to dodge assassins and hunt whomever placed the hit on her head and hopefully kill them before they kill her. In the Grankull, coming of age isn’t easy. There are always greater dragons to slay. DRAGON YOUR BONES is the introspective sequel to BONES TO THE WIND, full of political intrigue and a coming-of-age exploration. The novel includes strong female characters, LGBTQIA+ representation, and mature themes. It is appropriate for a NA/Adult audience, 18+.

The Tree of Azathoth by C.T. Phipps

"The Dreaming City has a million stories." The world has finally reached its final hours with Yog-Sothoth devouring time itself. John Henry Booth is not content to die and seeks out an old enemy to provide him an escape from the dying Earth. This results in him being transported to a strange monster-filled city where millions of humans live in a bizarre hodgepodge of eras. John soon finds out he's been here before, or at least some variant of him has, and he is soon founded by faces long thought dead. And what is his lost son's connection to the mysterious metropolis? The Tree of Azathoth is the third novel of the Cthulhu Armageddon series, a post-apocalypse continuation of H.P. Lovecraft's popular Cthulhu Mythos.

Tower of Zhaal by C.T. Phipps

"Is it better to live as a monster or die as a man?" It has been a year since John Henry Booth's exile from New America and the fall of the Black Cathedral. Cursed with a slow transformation into a monster, he has begun a doomed relationship with fellow escapee Mercury Halsey as they seek some way to arrest his transformation. Dubious hope arrives in the form of the University, the deranged scientists and cultists descended from the staff of Miskatonic University. Except, their offer of help comes at a price. Having sold themselves to ancient aliens called the Yith, they wish John and Mercury to join a group of rogues in hunting down a wayward member of their faculty: a man who intends to release the last of the sleeping Great Old Ones on an already ravaged planet. If they're telling the truth, John and Mercury will be heroes. If. The Tower of Zhaal is the second novel of the Cthulhu Armageddon series, a post-apocalypse continuation of H.P. Lovecraft's popular Cthulhu Mythos.

Jesus and John by Adam McOmber

Jesus and John is a Weird re-imagining of the New Testament as a novel of allegorical horror. John, a fisherman from a rural village on the shores of Galilee, is tasked with protecting the risen body of his lover who was crucified for disrupting Roman order in the city of Jerusalem. The body, having miraculously emerged from its cave-like tomb, refuses to speak and walks in a dream-like silence, disrupting the clear-cut message of the Apostle Peter and eventually leading John on a dangerous pilgrimage to a mysterious mansion in Rome known as the Gray Palace. There, the few inhabitants promise a celebration that may lead to a sacrifice John is unwilling to make. Incorporating Christian Gnosticism, Pagan dreams, and a contemporary will toward queer disruption, Adam McOmber's new novel tells a powerful story of devotion.

Immortal Sins by Maurice D. Winterborn

The Chained God, the protector of truth, power and knowledge, has reigned in the North for centuries. Now, dark forces rise in the South, threatening peace and stability of all united in his name. New Gods. Cruel, dominant, wrathful. The last bastion of the people has held strong for more than four years, but the fighting has taken its toll, leaving hope tied together with fragile strings. The Invaders' chaotic beliefs slowly engulf the land and dark forces start to awaken, both outside of the Empire and within. Dimitri Savandiel saw his world crumble when the southern Empire, Vivaria, declared war on his home nation of Haven. For years, the country has known nothing but divide and death as the true King was slain and his deceitful brother took the throne, handing the land to the Invaders. The battle for Haven shall be bloody, indeed.

The Inversion Solution by Scott Marlowe

The city of Brighton is in chaos. Infernal science inverted half the population. The other half fights for survival. The Alchemancer series continues. Half of Brighton’s population paid the price when Aaron failed to stop the Nullification Engine. The situation worsens when eslar invaders, led by Ensel Rhe’s brother-in-law, Balrabbek, arrive in Brighton intent on completing Ingrid Kane’s work. Forced into an alliance with them, Aaron soon realizes the engine’s effect went well beyond the city’s borders and that much more is at stake than he ever imagined. When Ensel Rhe learns of Balrabbek’s arrival, he wants nothing more than to take revenge on him for the murder of his son. But his brother-in-law’s deceit and his ambitions went much further than he thought. Now, he must end those ambitions, no matter the cost. Meanwhile, Serena flees from the chaos consuming Brighton, only to find that escape is a fleeting thing as her inability to control her magic continues to haunt her. When she learns of the Griffin’s mission to retrieve the secrets of a lifesaving vitality serum, she sees it as a way to save both her people and herself.

The Nullification Engine by Scott Marlowe

An infernal engine threatens all life. A sorcerer's apprentice has no idea how to stop it. The Alchemancer series continues. The city of Brighton promises new beginnings for Aaron, Serena, and the taciturn eslar, Ensel Rhe. But, upon their arrival, Aaron and Serena are arrested for their role in the Chaos of a week ago, while Ensel Rhe slips away on business of his own. The pair are allowed to plead their case before the earl himself, after which they are released and assigned a very special duty. The Chaos unearthed an ancient, infernal machine called the Nullification Engine, and the earl wishes to know everything about it. Dormant for hundreds of years, the device is now active and gathering energy for some unknown purpose. While Aaron and Serena struggle to unravel the machine's mysteries, Ensel Rhe confronts his past when he learns his daughter has come to Brighton, but in the company of one of his greatest enemies. A race against time begins as Aaron realizes that the Nullification Engine was never turned on for a reason, for once the machine reaches a state of full nullitivity, it will destroy Brighton and everyone in it.

The Assassin's Cunning by Scott Marlowe

Some days it seems like everyone wants you dead. The deadline for the Black Guardsmen to leave Alchester has come and gone, and now it’s up to the Assassin Without a Name to act on his threat. While he’s not above killing every last mercenary for the trouble they’ve caused him, he decides on a different course of action when Gwendolyn Goddard requests a meeting. In exchange for killing a rival, she offers to call off her Black Guard watchdogs. The catch? The mark is Atticus Drake, a trusted friend and ally. Meanwhile, the Warders and Jakaree continue to pursue their dark agendas. For the Warders, frustration leads to more direct action against the Nameless Assassin and his continued interference. The Jakaree, however, recognizing the need for alliances, offer to make a temporary one in hopes of striking a blow against the Warders. Trusting a death priest is never a good idea, but with questions continuing to mount about the Warders, the Assassin Without a Name reluctantly agrees to join them. Whatever their ultimate goals, the Jakaree and Warders remain in balance until a blood witch comes to town looking for revenge against Mathilda. While the witch has an agenda all her own, her presence threatens to turn the tide in the wrong direction for good. Deception, intrigue, danger, infernal science run amuck, and half the city wanting him dead? It’s just another day in the life of the Assassin Without a Name.

The Hall of the Wood by Scott Marlowe

A chilling warning. A fragile alliance. Impending doom. Jerrick Bur returns to a home he doesn't recognize. The King's Patrol has vanished. Their Hall stands empty. An invading army encroaches upon the fringes of the forest and folk whisper of a sitheri witch brewing evil from the darkest hollows. Once a patroller, always a patroller, and so Jerrick is duty-bound to investigate. He is joined by Kayra Weslin, knight errant, and her chronicler, Holly, who go to answer a plea for help from nearby Homewood. Along with Murik Alon Rin'kres, an eslar sorcerer who harbors a secret purpose all his own, the four embark upon a mission to unravel the mystery of the missing patrollers and somehow stop an ancient force of darkness from consuming them all.

The Assassin's Blade by Scott Marlowe

I had a name once, same as everyone else, but after one glorious night of murder, it was no longer safe to use. Small sacrifice for ensuring my sister's safety, I figured. So now I don't use one. In my line of work, it's not necessary anyway. What is my line of work? Murder, of course, though I fancy myself more than just an assassin. Gentleman, thief, wine connoisseur, adventurer, a man of a thousand names and none. I'm all of those things and more. My life was about as normal as one could hope when one particular job came along. Kill the artificer, steal the plans, make an exchange. Simple enough, until a band of fanatical priests ambushed and tried to kill me. Turns out the plans have something to do with a source of dark energy. The priests aren't the only ones interested in it, either. I've no interest in being a hero, but I'll do whatever I have to do to keep my city—and my sister—safe. There's already blood on my hands. What's a little more?

Engines of Alchemancy by Scott Marlowe

Chaos erupts in the Barony of Fallmere when a surprise elemental attack destroys Norwynne Keep. Aaron Shepherd and Shanna Bonnerman survive, but Shanna is soon lost in the fallout of the keep’s destruction while Aaron is forced to flee for his life. Unbeknownst to Aaron, Shanna becomes a captive of the enemy who destroyed their home. This enemy, a savant who claims to follow the path of science, speaks of ancient, infernal devices and a quest to reclaim the greatest of them all. Certain the savant means to kill her, Shanna is instead surprised when she finds herself embarking upon the adventure of a lifetime. Meanwhile, only the worst of nightmares await Aaron. Pursued by dwarven raiders, mad sorcerers, and a host of demons who will not stop until he is dead, the only thing keeping him alive is his own wits and an eslar mercenary whose reputation as a killer might make him the worst threat of all. Though Aaron and Shanna travel different paths, their purposes align when they each learn of a mysterious device known as the Fifth Element. Shanna sees it as the final piece of the puzzle that is her destiny. To Aaron’s logical mind, it is an impossible ambiguity. Whatever the answer, the Fifth Element draws them back together and into a final confrontation where science and sorcery will collide.

Beneath the Gods' Tree by S. Kaeth

Amanah knows all-too-well the dangers of catching the attention of the upper class of Arruk. Using her position as a guard to steal secrets of healing and help other lower class people means she works hard to remain unnoticed. Fellow guard Taunos is boisterous, laughing, larger than life–and always around. He attracts attention as easily as breathing, which makes being associated with him dangerous. Better to stay far away, regardless of her attraction to him and his easy calm. But when Amanah inadvertently insults a magistrate, she must flee the city to avoid his vengeance. She takes a last-minute job escorting a pair of noblemen to another town–a job Taunos is also hired for. Along the way, she’s forced to reveal her stolen healing skills to keep the small group alive, and finds more support from Taunos than she ever would have dreamed. His confident charm becomes hard to ignore as he sees her as no one else has, even when she’s doing her best to be invisible. But opening herself to romance might be as dangerous as the wildlife and bandits they face in the wilderness, and pursuing her dreams of becoming a healer could attract the ire of those in power. This book has: so much banter; strong sibling relationship; strong friendships; friends-to-lovers (low steam); gay side characters; main character anxiety rep; diverse cast with immersive worldbuilding; action and adventure, wilderness survival style; low fantasy (none of the main group displays clear magic on page); single PoV, third person past tense

Phantom and Rook by Aelina Isaacs

Arlo Rook has decided it’s time to move out of Garren Castle, home for orphans of all races, magical or not, at 100 years old. It’s not the first time he’s left home, but after a setback that landed the Hedge Witch in the hospital a year ago, he ended up right back at square one. But now he’s ready to strike out on his own, despite his friend’s worries that he’s not ready for the ‘real world.’ Then, he crashes into a mess of copper curls and bright eyes, sending apothecary goods and his life into a chaotic mess. Thatch is a mysterious and incredibly wealthy benefactor of Levena, only spoken of but never seen. He requests a night of Arlo’s company and a tour of the city, which Arlo immediately declines. But that’s not the last time they see each other, and it certainly wasn’t the first. Arlo doesn’t remember him, no one remembers Thatch after he visits, but Thatch never forgot the Witch with a familiar soulmark on his face. Thatch Phantom is an immortal, the last of his kind and perpetually bored. When he’s not closing inter-dimensional rifts and corralling demons, he’s visiting his favorite city of all, Levena. Centuries ago, when life was particularly dull, he set up a scavenger hunt for a starving village, providing them with a year’s worth of supplies. He anonymously returned year after year, upping the ante and providing less practical things, as the village had become a city and was wealthy beyond belief. Festivals were thrown in his honor, and have continued every year since. Hundreds of years later, The Game is still put on by the fabled ‘Scarlet Illusionist’, but no one has figured out who blesses them with the puzzles. Once again, Thatch is listless and has decided to throw a wild card into this year’s Game. Whoever discovers him will win one wish of their choice, no restrictions. Aside from the obvious, such as no falling in love, murder or resurrection. What he didn’t anticipate was crashing into the one person whose soul mark flares like a beacon when Thatch is around, teasing the immortal with the one thing he wants most. Someone to call home. What follows is a wild chain of events filled with magical coffee shops, villains with vendettas against cheese makers, moving tattoos, grand puzzles, and second chances at love, and life.

Bound by Rowena Aiello

They’re supposed to be together. The magic says they should be. So why is she trying so hard to get away from him? Every single one of us is fated to be with someone else. That’s how the magic works in Atlantis. It chooses your soul mate at birth. And while I want Matt to be mine, he’s fated to Sarah—to her dismay. One one’s ever tried to break their mating bond…until now. And it’s not that easy. In fact, I think it’s making him sick. But can I convince him to let Sarah go before her attempts to break away ruin him forever?

The Vampire's Mark by Rowena Aiello

Someone crouched on the ground. They clung to something—a forearm, he realized. Scott went cold and shivered. “Dad?” The crouching figure turned and Maria’s shining eyes locked with his. Her mouth was covered in something dark that matched something on his father’s arm. For a second, Scott froze, watching her like she was a wild animal twice his size. Maria stood up, her arms at her sides and her fingers splayed. A bolt of fear shot through his stomach until his bladder threatened to burst. He dropped the food. It landed with a weighty, crinkling thump that startled them both to life. “Scotty,” she whispered, in the same slippery voice that had prickled the hairs on his neck. Dry mouthed, Scott dashed for his bike. In the sleepy town of Northam, Massachusetts, not everyone is who they seem to be. Isolated by what he knows, Scott must stop Maria from draining his father's blood before she kills him, or worse: turns his father into a vampire, too.

V by Aura Marquez

Being an autistic Chicana in L.A. isn’t easy…especially when you’re a vampire. V’s undying love for humans doesn’t allow her to fit in, and nobody understands her but Mya, her best friend, soul mate, and fellow vampire. V's inherited an ancestral gift that intensifies once she becomes a vampire and creates a psychic connection to those she feeds on, an ability she desperately wants to learn to control. Living with Mya allows her to have the lavish lifestyle she’s always wanted, but V still can’t seem to find peace. As she works to discover who she is as a vamp, all she has to do is not fall in love with a human. She cannot fall in love. No big deal, she just needs to not fall in love. …and then, she meets Madís

Merry Arlan: Finding The Heir by Will Soulsby-McCreath

Merry has never been a good liar. She is, however, adept at keeping secrets: she's been passing herself off as human for years. But that ruse and her position as a Guardian Cadet are called into question when the ElvenQueen summons Merry to fulfil a role she ran away from years ago: Elven Lord. If she wants out, she has to travel to the Elven Cout — a viper's nest of lies and schemes that press against her unwilling bond with a lie-detecting, curse-breaking amulet — to find a replacement before the upcoming Mid-Spring Ball. To deal with the Court and the pain of returning to a house that was once her prison, Merry has to turn to the last person she would expect to help her. And then assassins begin to strike at leaders on the Rubilse.

Merry Arlan: Breaking The Curse by Will Soulsby-McCreath

Merry wants to be a Guardian, there’s just a few things standing in her way: her gender, her secret heritage, her penchant for questioning authority. Her repeated petitions turned arguments with the Guardian Commander have got Merry exactly nowhere and, as her second year of study at the Five Towers University nears its end, Merry is starting to worry she won’t have a job after Graduation. Or at least not one beyond her current gig as a bartender. When a Guardian Colonel comes to Merry for help, the logical thing to do is agree, after all Colonel is only one step down from Commander. But when that help includes searching the places that will put Merry’s security most at risk she has to turn down the opportunity of a lifetime. Until the Colonel sweetens the deal.

With a Blighted Touch by J. Todd Kingrea

In Scarburn County, Tennessee there is a small mountain community called Black Rock, known for its unusual and prevalent blight that affects all vegetation . . . When an unexpected death forces Christopher "Kit" McNeil to return to his small hometown in the Tennessee mountains after eighteen years, he must confront his past and a secret he's kept since he was twelve. A talented guitarist with a history of bad choices and even worse luck, Kit soon reunites with an old friend and learns about recent disappearances and mysterious deaths in the area. They begin to wonder if it's connected to what they witnessed in the woods when they were kids and if a creepy local family is involved. Stranger still, almost half of their high school graduating class has died. When more shredded bodies begin appearing, Kit becomes a suspect. But what he discovers is even more frightening-evil has set its sights on him and his friends and it won't stop until it gets what it needs. Can Kit and his friends band together in time to stop this ancient evil? Or will a new reign of terror that the Cherokee once called Uyaga be unleashed to roam the earth once more?

Breaker of Fates (Broken Song verse 1) by Vaela Denarr & Micah Iannandrea

SPFBO10

Perilous quests give rise to heroes. And broken songs call for Chosen Ones to be mended. Roderick and Keeva, once friends, now orphaned by a dragon’s wrath that fractured the harmony between the great clans, spend their days locked in battle… until they are reunited, realizing that they’re both dating the same guy: Mateo, whose overdue transformation into a dragon is complicated by feelings of self doubt after the disastrous attempt to broker peace. Choosing to get along is one thing, but forgiving one another—or themselves—for the hurt they’ve inflicted is another. Keeva keeps seeing the face of her dead best friend in her dreams, and Roderick’s suspicion and distrust keep him up at night. Soon, though, a great threat unites them against a common foe. Someone has stolen a song from the gods, disrupting the tenuously rebuilt harmony of their homeland, and the very beast that tore them apart threatens to be set loose. True heroes of Koor Kosma are required to serve as vessels for the other four godly songs and reforge the divine harmony. Neither Roderick nor Keeva are such heroes, but unless they can unite the divine and broken songs, unless harmony brings the shattered clans together, all will burn. They are not chosen. They are not the heroes of this story. They are broken. And they must be forgiven. The Broken Song Duology is a story about queer grief, trauma, forgiveness and finding your place in the world.

My Name is Magic by Xan van Rooyen

Taika Turunen has no magic. Despite coming from a long line of powerful Finnish mages, and their name literally meaning magic, Taika can’t perform the simplest of spells. Forced to attend Myrskyjärvi International School for the Magically Gifted on account of their mom being principal, Taika has a hard time fitting in. Sometimes, they wonder if not having magic has something to do with the fact they’re neither a girl nor a boy and if they’re fated to be Taika the Talentless forever. Life goes from bad to worse when Taika sees a liekkiö and recognizes the spirit's voice begging for help as that of their former BFF and major crush, Natalie Khumalo, whose recent absence from class hadn’t gone unnoticed. When more students go missing, Taika must take the lead in a race against time to save friends old and new before a powerful group of chaos mages can unleash the legendary Sampo, an artifact capable of either renewing the world’s waning magic or destroying everything Taika holds dear. To rescue Natalie, Taika will have to journey to the liminal space between worlds where they’ll be forced to battle mythical monsters and their own flagging self-esteem. In doing so, Taika might just discover that magic—and love—comes in many different forms. For fans of witchcraft and wizardry looking for a new, inclusive story, My Name Is Magic, is a story about finding strength from within and potential where you least expected it.

By the Blood of Rowans by Xan van Rooyen

The Sheehy witches are the most feared and detested family on the island of Inisliath, and none more so than Rowan. As a deathwalker, Rowan ferries island souls to the Otherworld, experiencing their deaths and carrying their memories like ghosts within him. It's a fated role he accepts even as it inexorably destroys him. When the magic on the island starts to seep away from the other founding families, everyone blames the Sheehys—especially when islanders start dying. Ash is sick of their father's fists and constantly having to apologize for who they are. Life on Inisliath might be the fresh start Ash and their mum need, and meeting soft-spoken, curly-haired Rowan feels like the ray of sunshine Ash has desperately needed—but everything goes sideways when Ash's mum becomes lead detective on a series of ritualistic murders allegedly tied to island magic, and Ash's family history. The islanders are convinced Rowan is guilty, but Ash refuses to believe it. When Ash does some investigating of their own, they discover Rowan is far more likely to be the next victim. With time running out to save Rowan, Ash will have to choose between a life free of their father or the boy they’re starting to love. Meanwhile Rowan will have to decide just how much he's willing to sacrifice to save his family from the darkness about to be unleashed on the island.

Silver Helix by Xan van Rooyen

On the surface, the city of HelsInc appears to have recovered from the war waged between humans and Ethereals, but beneath the scars, the city seethes. The remains of magic festers, causing mutations in human DNA which could give humans Ethereal power—not that the HelsInc government would ever let that happen. The Legion resists, ripping out their neurochips and protesting the mandatory gene therapy for humans with cryptomine in their DNA. At only 19 years old, Omyn Talvinen isn’t ready to play parent to her kid brother, but with her mom in prison on trumped up charges and her deadbeat dad AWOL, she’s left with little choice. Forced to risk her freedom to pay the rent, Omyn finds herself at the mercy of a pair of cyborg soldiers when they catch her red-handed stealing nanites from a cyberware Salon. But the synths’ powers don’t work on Omyn, and they discover they all share a common memory that they must get to the root of. Wanted dead by the government, Omyn and the renegade soldiers turn to a rebel Legion group with dreams of resuscitating dead magic for help. With the clock-ticking for the synths, Zee-Five and Omyn are forced to confront the secrets of their past and a dark conspiracy that’ll shake the blood-soaked foundations of the city.

The Templar Sword by Sam Clarke

Noah is a typical teenager with a very atypical dream – becoming a modern-day Knight Templar. His estranged father, a senior commander within the Order, is dead set against it. For fans of Uncharted, Outer Banks, and Indiana Jones. A Page Turner Awards Finalist. Amazon #1 New Release in YA Fiction Page Turner Awards Finalist Wishing Shelf Book Award Finalist BBNYA Finalist An ancient sword has been missing for centuries. Recovering it would prove Noah's worth to his father and earn him a place at the Clearview Templar Academy. When he stumbles across a Renaissance painting that holds a clue to the sword’s location, Noah’s dream seems within reach. As the death toll quickly mounts, it becomes apparent that others are hunting the sword – for far more evil ends. The future of the Templars, very much like Noah’s, is at stake. Together with his friend Viggo and mischievously attractive Isabelle, Noah embarks on the deadliest quest of his life. The sword’s dangerous trail will take them from the canals of Venice, to the spires of Seville, to a gripping showdown in the underwater caves of the Caribbean. A fresh, original adventure story. Can be read as a standalone novel or as the sequel to The Twelfth Ring. PRAISE FOR THE TEMPLAR SWORD 'Amazing story. Awesome plot. Perfect characters. OMG! This is a MUST READ!!!' Goodreads 'Characters are spectacular, very real and very much people that I could relate to.' Goodreads ‘Becoming a Templar Knight in the modern day... now that's a great hook. Sort of Indiana Jones meets Harry Potter... a legendary secret school, an evil villain and a treasure. If that doesn't grab a reader, nothing will.’ Ink & Insights 'Reading it was like watching a movie in my head.' Goodreads ‘Noah is a great main character and narrator for this story. He is witty and awkward and perfectly encompasses a teenage boy.’ Ink & Insights "Though likely considered a “young adult fiction”, as an older adult, I enjoyed this book tremendously. It’s adventure, mystery, great characters, and a storyline that keeps you wanting to see what comes next from this author." Amazon Reviewer ‘Wow, Noah is one terrific character. He's instantly likable, and we find ourselves not only rooting for him, but rooting for the quest. His personality is incredibly well developed for a teen, and I like the fact that he's smart and driven.’ Ink & Insights

Midnight Son: A Prophecies of Ragnarok Story by Marie Sinadjan

Prince. Warrior. Son. Brother. Baldr has always been destined for greatness. As Odin’s heir and firstborn legitimate son, he’s been raised to succeed Odin as king of Asgard and ruler of the Nine Realms, and to lead the worlds into an era of peace and prosperity. But the brightest of lights casts the darkest of shadows, and in Baldr’s wake looms his younger twin brother, Hodr, who has already betrayed Asgard once before. This is a prequel short story to THE PROPHECIES OF RAGNAROK trilogy by Meri Benson and Marie Sinadjan, beginning years before and leading up to the events of Hotel Fen, and a retelling of the myths involving Baldr, a Norse god whose death is said to herald the coming of Ragnarok, the prophesied end of the worlds.

Touch of Iron (The Living Blade 1) by Timandra Whitecastle

A magic sword. A fated quest. When the world is on the brink, one woman dares to defy destiny… Is the Living Blade real or just a legend? With it… Prince Bashan could win back his kingdom. Master Telen Diaz can free himself of the burden from his past. Owen Smith sees a once-in-a-lifetime chance to gain untold knowledge. … but for Noraya Smith, the Living Blade will bring nothing but suffering and sorrow. "Realistic, character-driven fantasy that manages to both sever limbs and warm the heart." - Kirkus Reviews

Bloodwitch (The Living Blade 1.5) by Timandra Whitecastle

They say blood is thicker than water. They're wrong. An ancient priesthood recruited Jan from the parlours of Babuk. They said it was because she had talent at waterwielding. They'll live to regret it. Jan survived something she shouldn't have. But she doesn't remember it clearly. Now they pry into her mind, and she cannot stop them. Yet. Jan must learn how to control her own waterwielding gift, to defend herself from those who would reach within her and steal her very name and memories, and she must make a choice ... Who is she, really? Acolyte? Watermage? Bloodwitch Buy Bloodwitch today to enter the action-filled adventure today!

The Unwanted Prophet by Carolina Cruz

Quincy Sauer is in jail. As far as she’s concerned, that's where she belongs - until a god of death decides otherwise. He’s got a plan to undermine his own priests and Quincy is his pawn of choice. Going from criminal to prophet would be a difficult transition under even the best circumstances, but Quincy’s luck is about to turn from bad to worse as corrupt priests, cults, and threats unknown stand between her and the answer to her greatest questions: Has the god of life and death made a terrible mistake? And if he has, who is going to pay the price for it? The Unwanted Prophet is the debut novel of Carolina Cruz. If you enjoy low-magic fantasy, character-driven stories, and diverse fictional worlds, the Unwanted Prophet has something for you to enjoy!

Imago: A Dystopian Gothic by Matthew Zakharuk

SPFBO10

Tresor Institute accepts only the worthy, and Ada Călinescu is anything but. Intractable, mannish, a child of convicted terrorists, she can at best hope to be overlooked. Yet somehow the Institute accepts her application for transfer. Her ticket to the polar town of Heilung, home of the Institute, arrives free of charge. Her only chance to forge a brighter future. Except Heilung welcomes Ada with news of a brutal murder. Militiamen stalk the town, keen to fill their arrest quotas—and Ada knows she could make an easy scapegoat. At every turn the bloody conspiracy follows her, from the halls of Tresor to the arms of a stranger she yearns to make hers. What starts as a dalliance risks putting Ada at odds with the Bureau itself. And then expulsion will be the least of her concerns.

Silver Fire (Chronicles of Asgard: Awakening, #2) by Laura Brewer, Roland Brewer

Rowan and Alvinari’s smooth routine is shattered by hordes of mordkii, larger and far better equipped than any they’ve ever seen, approach their borders. Rowan calls up every fighter and mage across the kingdom. Odin musters Asgard, but they are still horribly outnumbered.They block the advance, but when Alvinari breaks her spear, the replacement she’s given bursts into flame – and so does she. Her fire incinerates the enemies she’s facing – and almost consumes her friends. Hel has just begun to stir wars across the land and on the sea, unleashing demons. No place is safe.

The Amulet and the Dragon by R. A. Klepsis

What do you get for the prince who has everything? This question is on the mind of Rizo Malkin after he and Cordela Shent are invited to the wedding of their friend Prince Prothar. Rizo also wonders what he is going to do with himself now that he's learned all the magic he needs. But his chief concern is unlocking the secrets of the ruby amulet he “found” on his last venture. Cordela has questions of her own, such as why she, the savior of the world, is stuck teaching hieroglyphics class. When Rizo requests her help to investigate his amulet, she eagerly joins him. Besides, she couldn't very well let him get into trouble by himself. During the resulting quest, Cordela, Rizo and their friends learn how perilous it can be to get exactly what they want. It might even cost them their friendships. Revisit Cordela's world, first introduced in Water Against Chaos. Experience all the excitement, dangers, surprises and shenanigans of her latest adventure, based on events of an actual tabletop fantasy roleplaying campaign. Spoiler alert: there may be a dragon involved.

The Dragon's Wrath Bounty by Patrick Dugan

Cowboy Bebop meets the Witcher With the Ashen Orb in hand, Saria and the Shadow Blades return to Moonbourne to collect payment for their retrieval mission. But perhaps they were too successful, for now the temperamental sorceress Brar Opalback, whom Saria already suspects of deception, wants to hire them for a second job. Pretty please can they infiltrate the Dwarven capital to steal another teeny tiny artifact? After barely surviving the last bounty from Opalback, the Blades reject the offer in favor of a nice, simple missing person case. Or it would be simple, if a rampaging dragon didn’t seem bent on becoming their new worst enemy. When a dragon is hot on your trail, it’s far too literal, and it doesn’t help when your missing person turns out to be some kind of tricksy wizard. All that Saria and the Blades want is to make Southern Holm a little safer and earn enough coin for food and festivities while they’re at it. But now it looks like they’re today’s special on a dragon’s menu.