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The Great Tree of Iris by Jess Skultety 7 Unlikely Companions. 5 Libraries. 1 Hidden Prophecy. The Great Tree of Iris: a place of unmatched healing power for humans. Top scholar Lia Tovar protects the Tree in honor of her dead father, but she has visions of its tragic demise. When Rory Elatha, an elf from the hidden city of Kyrali, arrives seeking experts to save the decaying, sacred sunflower fields, Lia suspects their situations are connected. For once, her books cannot help, and she answers the call. To save the Tree, Lia must learn to trust six allies: - A youthful jeweler - A haunted scholar - A vibrant secret-keeper - An inkdelver on a mission - A wizard seeking a friend - A dragon looking for home When they discover one part of a deadly prophecy, Lia, Rory, and their party search desperately for a way to challenge fate. But as more natural disasters arise in their race across the continent, Lia must decide if she can let Rory into her heart, and if that will free or destroy her. The Great Tree of Iris combines a 30-year-old FMC's map-crossing, world-saving quest with fade-to-black sapphic romance in a queer-normative world. Perfect for fans of Samantha Shannon, L.R. Lam, S.A. Chakraborty, Saara El-Arifi, and J.R.R. Tolkien. |
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Lust and Found by Sylvie Helstaff Who knew you could summon a demon by accident? When Rowan’s eccentric great aunt died, they felt lost, now the lone queer sheep in a flock of faithful lambs. But when they move into the late woman’s house, a cleaning accident activates a dormant ritual and they’re suddenly confronted with two revelations: magic is real and demons are surprisingly hot. At least this one is. When opportunity shows up with lust in its eyes, you might as well grab it by the horns.voided. With their world upended, Rowan finds themself embracing newfound magical abilities with the help of an elderly trio of witches, navigating a budding relationship with an amorous archdemon, and nurturing a growing group of queer friends at their new bartending job. Life finally seems to be going their way, despite their pious family and the nosy neighborhood priest who keep trying to tempt them back into the fold. But sometimes Hell is other people. Just when everything seems perfect, a stunning betrayal sees them taking refuge in an infernal realm unlike anything they expected. Hell isn’t what they were taught and maybe “home” isn’t so much about “where” as it is “who.” Lust and Found is a high heat, insta-lust monster romance with slow burn romance, eventual polyamory, and heartfelt found family. |
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Paladin and Necromancer by Adrienne Miller Seven years ago, a Paladin married a Necromancer. It didn’t seem like a big deal back then, seeing as the world was ending. For better or worse, humanity survived. The extraplanar enemy was repelled, and the rifts in the Multiverse were patched up. In the ruins of the realm’s devastation, humanity recovered and rebuilt. Stuck in an uneasy marriage, Kassander and Silver couldn’t be less enthusiastic about the prospect. Perhaps it’s for the best that a noble house is slaughtered in what looks like a wine-soaked demonic ritual. At least solving crimes gives Kass and Silver something to do. Together, they uncover a conspiracy that threatens to tear apart the multiverse and its deities – and, most importantly, their already fragile marriage. A dark fantasy mystery-romance. |
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HALLOWED BE HER FLESH by Emryn Bird It had only been three days. Three days since Trella had been accused of being wicked. Three days since her flogging and excommunication. And three days since she began searching for a mysterious village deep within the Cantabrian Mountains. When a sudden, bright star becomes something more, this pious woman finds herself face to face with an entity she can only assume is one of God’s great celestials sent down to guide her. Terrifying yet beautiful, the creature vows to protect the woman as the pair journey together to find this promising new home. But will it be the safe haven Trella believes it to be? Or can safety only be found in this cosmic being’s embrace? Hallowed Be Her Flesh is an illustrated cosmic horror romance set in 1570s Spain where the ineffable horror of what lies beyond the stars meets Christian mysticism as an asexual woman questions her faith and her attraction toward a strange entity. |
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Queen of Thorns by Joel Flanagan-Grannemann Join Canin and his party of fellow Elenite (half-Human, half-Fairy) Thorn Brothers and Thorn Maidens as they complete their revenge mission in a nearby Human village. They're after a man who killed his wife years before. Canin had sworn to protect the wife, and was trying to help her escape to the safety of the Exile Forest. The husband also led a group who massacred those from the Forest who came looking for Canin when he fled in shame (leading to him meeting Talia and her party in Talia: Heir to the Fairy Realm, Book One of this series). After they find their vengeance, follow them as they rescue a sizeable group of weary and wary displaced Human women and children and convince the group to trust them and accompany them home to the Exile Forest. Sadly, not everything is as it seems in the Sanctuary village once they arrive. There's a traitor in their midst! War with the Human King and his Lions (evil Elenite blood users) is about to break out, and, as usual, Canin and his wife (the Fairy soldier Spearhead) find themselves in the middle of all the conflict, fighting for a safe home for their adopted daughter, the ever-growing baby Aurora. |
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Mother of Exiles by Joel Flanagan-Grannemann Canin, an Elenite — half-Human and half-Fairy — had left the Exile Forest in shame after a woman who had sought his help was killed by her husband, who framed Canin for the murder. ⚠Later, he found himself enveloped in the adventures of the Heir to the Fairy Realm and her company for a time, where he fell in love with one of the Heir’s Fairy Ladies. After being separated from his love when tragedy befalls the Heir’s party and his love is arrested, he finds himself dropped on the edge of the Exile Forest with the Fairy soldier named Spearhead (who lost her wings in the ordeal) and a baby they rescued from Blood Cultists at the Human king’s castle. While they believe the baby is the daughter of the king and his wife, the truth is ... ◆more complicated◆. Canin and Spearhead, pretending to be married and putting baby Aurora forth as their own flesh and blood, must beg the Mother of Exiles, whose disembodied presence leads the people of the Exile Forest, for sanctuary and the chance to start a new life for their found family in the forest. This book is an alternate entry point to the series for new readers who are more interested in the Elenite side of the story. |
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For fans of Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn and Sarah J. Maas' Throne of Glass, Starhunt is a thrilling tale of enemies to lovers and conflicting morals that is sure to delight both epic and romantic fantasy readers alike. Do you revel in the darkness? Or are you for starlight, for everyone? He works for the King, hunting down the fallen stars to be returned to the night sky. She's a star-powered thief, willing to bend the laws of the Kingdom to return starmagic to her people. Both of them have proven that they can, and will, use their blades against anyone who gets in their way. But when the Stars and Moon deem that their paths should cross, will Kieran and Talla’s clash of causes be for the better, or will it be for blood? A thousand years after the stars fell from the sky over Larendi, King Armund has surprisingly discovered a way to send them and their magic back. Kieran, a renowned and rightfully cocky member of the King’s Guard, has been the King’s personal starhunter for almost a decade. With his charm, status, and expert negotiating skills, Kieran has recovered more stars than he can count. But as the number of uncollected stars is dwindling, Kieran’s need to call upon his extensive and unique training grows.. Because not everyone is a believer in the King’s vision. Beyond the castle walls, rebels are working to keep stars in the hands of the people. Talla, a skillful and star-powered thief, holds the rebellious views of the diminishing few that feel comfort in the darkness. She believes that keeping the stars on the ground is the key to saving her people. But after Talla is betrayed, she unexpectedly finds herself without starmagic and needing to rely on the last person she would ever choose to trust–Kieran. Despite his better judgement, he finds himself bringing the starthief with him across Larendi on his final starhunt. As their journey leads them to uncover hints to the night sky’s lost secrets, they both discover that the Stars and Moon may have led them to something they each didn't realize they needed–each other. |
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Our Bright Window by James Chance Once a loyal hellhound, Vincent now runs with a new pack: a ragtag group of werewolves, hiding from the supernatural authorities now swarming their college town. But he can’t get his past betrayals out of his head. Henry visits his dreams every night, tormenting him with visions of the happiness he almost had. And the people he couldn’t save still haunt him–literally. Ghosts are pouring out of the Underworld, spreading corruption and darkness in their wake. Vincent is responsible for it all, and he knows better than anyone: nothing ever truly stays dead. He must mend the broken pieces of both worlds, before everything he has come to care about is lost. In the end, the final price to save the mortal world–and the people he loves–may destroy everything he has ever known. |
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Our Dark Mirror by James Chance A stranger named Vincent emerges from a hole in the earth. He is a hellhound, bred and trained for one purpose: guarding the Underworld’s prisoners. At least, until he lets one escape. Disgraced, he is sent to recover the fugitive, disguised as an ordinary college student. But the mortal world holds its own secrets. Mysterious murders plague the school. Supernatural creatures hide in plain sight. And the fugitive has his own plan–one that may spell doom for both Hell and earth. To stop it, Vincent must team up with others like him that walk the line between light and shadow. The best of them is monster hunter and football star Henry Wellfellow. Kind and charismatic, he is beloved by all; and yet he takes an interest in Vincent, accepting him in a way no one has before. But Vincent has demons–literally. He can’t fall for the hero of the story. He doesn’t belong in this new world he has come to love. And yet, he may be the only one who can stop its destruction. But will the mortal world–and Henry–forgive him for what he will have to do to save it? |
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Brighde Restricted by Leslie Sommers and Janice Sommers Cay’s Survival Checklist: 1) Don’t die For the past year, Cay has always been Bridget’s guide on her journey to becoming a Cuardaitheoir. While Bridget hones her magic at Danann Academy, Logan and Cay are doing their best to help her with the search for the Amulet. When the globetrotting pair split up – Logan to Switzerland and Cay to England – things get real for them both. Cay is kidnapped and tortured by the very enemies he was desperate to avoid, the descendants of Beira. He knows the lengths they will go to get information on Bridget, but he could never imagine what happens to him. Will Cay be able to escape and get to Bridget in time or will he perish at the hands of Beira’s kin? |
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Brighde Redefined by Leslie Sommers and Janice Sommers Bridget’s Senior Year Checklist – Updated: 1. Pass final exams 2. Graduate OCHS 3. Find the Amulet 4. Save the world - again Bridget, freshly graduated from Ocean City High School, is now on her way to start her magic training – in Switzerland. Without Cay or Logan, who are helping her by looking for the Amulet, Bridget is forced to make new friends at Danann Academy. It's just as awkward and drama-filled as any average first day of school, only now, her peers have powers. Bridget finds herself being attacked at every turn, from having her stuff set on fire, to fighting off Beira's descendants. To make matters worse, she discovers that Trip hasn’t completely disappeared, and is now dating her newly sworn enemy. What’s a girl to do? Starting a new romance is the perfect escape from her magical reality. As new feelings are explored, Bridget now faces a journey with someone she didn’t see coming: herself. With her half of the Amulet slowly dying, Bridget is running out of time to reunite the pieces and save the people she cares about. Will she be able to rise to the challenge and stop Trip and his band of Beira’s descendants from plunging the world into eternal winter? Will she be able to unify the pieces and correct the unstable weather? Is it too late to reconsider this whole thing? |
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Smoke and Glass Slippers: A Dystopian, Gender-Flipped Cinderella Retelling by Ashley Willingham (From the author) She's the heir to a corrupt empire. He's the man coming to burn it all down. I know my place. I’m a Quartz. Meant to serve. For thirty years, I’ve slaved in the mines, stripping magic to fuel the empire’s precious Capital. But I refuse to die in the dark. The emperor’s competition for his daughter's hand is my one chance. If I can win a place among the nobles, I’ll get close enough to stop the tyranny once and for all. There’s just one problem: Princess Ysabelle is nothing like I expected. And as the Betrothal Games become real, I’ll have to make a choice. A choice that could change the world. Dive into the dystopian fairytale world of Smoke and Glass Slippers, a land of lies and deceit where the lines between heroism and villainy blur and nothing is as it seems. High-stakes fantasy adventure combined with swoony romance await in this clean, enemies to lovers romantasy! Perfect for fans of The Selection and Red Rising. |
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Brighde Reborn by Leslie Sommers and Janice Sommers Bridget’s Senior Year Checklist 1) Hook the new guy, Trip 2) Hang with newly discovered cousin, Cay aka the most popular boy at OCHS 3) Find missing weather controlling Amulet 4) Pass SATs 5) Save the world In her quiet Jersey Shore town, Bridget MacNamara just wants to survive high school senior year and get a date with the strikingly attractive new kid, Trip, but fate and her lineage have other ideas. Things get weird when the most popular guy in school, Cailean "Cay" McKay, won't leave her alone. Turns out they're distant cousins and what's more—they're the descendants of twin Scottish goddesses, Brighde and Beira. The sisters originally shared an amulet that controlled the weather, and its sudden disappearance has sparked betrayal and vengeance, dividing the once-close family into two rival factions for the last few centuries. Bridget doesn’t care about Scottish mythology, but she finds herself thrown in a modern version of it when she learns she’s directly descended from Brighde, and Trip can be traced straight to Beira. After a century of family warfare, Trip and Bridget are now a star-crossed couple, forced to fight both their families and each other in a race to find the missing amulet. Wasn’t senior year supposed to be a breeze? |
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Matsdotter and Adrastus: When A Human Falls In Love With An Archdemon by Aelina Isaacs Elochian Adrastus is the pinnacle of demon nobility, and he hates it. When he’s not leading an aristocracy, in therapy, or rebelling against his birthright by running the most famous bar in Levena, he’s solving a millennia old mystery with his newfound friends. He’s particularly fond of the man he’s only known as an author, learning that there's much more to the human than meets the eye. For the first time in over a century, Elochian feels tempted by the prospect of finding his own happy ending. He’s also terrified that any future endeavors will end in death, like they did not so long ago. Quentin Matsdotter has one goal in life, and that’s to blend in. Unfortunately for him, that’s impossible when you’re a certifiable genius, an author, and are friends with some of the most unique people in the town. He’s got everything a man could want, except for someone to call his own. Quentin hasn’t been able to trust his heart to anyone again after experiencing an abusive relationship years ago, but there’s no mistaking how he feels for the enigmatic archdemon. As the snow builds, so does their friendship, and it’s only a matter of time before they open their hearts to each other. If only the past didn’t come back to haunt them. Be prepared to stand up for what you believe in, reveal the truth, and protect those you love, no matter the cost. |
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Fools Rush In by Sarah Clowder Leslie Glynore only wants one thing- to be able to retire from the paladin life. The problem? She's done something Very Bad but can't remember what. To get her fully funded retirement, she has to do something Very Good for the Church. All while stuck with Alik Visk- her always-glaring, eyepatch-wearing Knight of a partner, who hates her and makes her want to do anything but good. Fortunately for Leslie, their Commander has a mission that no one else is available to take: Please return the goddess home. It sounds like the perfect way to end her career, but nothing is ever that easy. Will she be able to face her own demons while stopping actual ones from breaking loose? Or will she run away like she's always done in the past? |
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A world plagued by sun sickness can be both terrible and beautiful. Senna Kane was plucked from his orphanage and molded into the perfect Goldheart—the personal bodyguard to the prince. It's a demanding job, made harder by the headstrong prince's desire to solve the tension between the darkness-bathed Talsura and the sun-welcoming Redwind, but Senna has vowed to do his best. Defying the law, Senna and the prince sneak out of their kingdom to meet with the Redwindan princess to work towards peace. There, Senna finds himself spending more time with the princess' charming guard, Emrys, who challenges Senna to try bold and impossible things—like harnessing the sun's power to grow plants from his own body. The quest for peace comes at odds with the two lovers as the sun sickness, terrifying monsters, and cruel rulers try to tear them apart at every turn. The danger leads Senna to what may be an impossible choice: to abandon his prince, his duty and life's purpose, or lose the chance to become the man he could've been if that duty had never found him. GOLDHEART is a story about chosen family, choosing love, and the impossible feat of staying good in times of darkness. |
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Let Sleeping Gods Lie by Ben Schenkman If jumping off a building to save a raccoon doesn’t kill Corbin Pierce then his next altruistic impulses just might.Pierce, ex-Ivy League community college adjunct and environmental activist, has his hands full keeping the local spirit-creatures out of the hands of poachers while teaching his students about history they shouldn’t repeat. As if he didn't already have enough on his plate, he and his new mentee-turned-apprentice discover the murder of a homeless man.As one murder becomes two, Corbin suspects the involvement of The Hand, a secret cabal of high magicians. It won’t be his first conflict with them, but if he can’t find a way to stop them, it could well be the last. Even worse, ancient spirits are waking to wreak havoc on the city as the bodies pile up. To end it all, Corbin must decide what he’s willing to sacrifice. If he doesn’t, the city and everyone he loves will be gone. Can Corbin take the final leap, knowing he might pay the ultimate price? |
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Undefined Tides by Briar Belmont Before they were pirates, they sought freedom. Rowan yearns only to be the master of his own fate. A year out from indenture in the navy, Rowan finds himself in the midst of a trafficking scheme he can’t stomach. Yves is transformed. No longer the victim he was. No longer fully human. The darkness within him pushes him toward violence and glory. Logan, newly released from the Marran navy, attempts to find the family he hasn’t heard from since childhood. Fox loves too hard. Trusts too easily. But he never thought it would be a mistake to entrust his heart to the one man who’s been by his side all along. John has spent his whole life working toward a higher rank, but when his superior officer orders him to do something appalling, he finally snaps and gives in to the flames that have always fought to rise to the surface. Henri’s mother is dead, and he cannot stand still anymore. Now he must embark on a journey to find the father that has been lost at sea since giving him a mysterious gift. Gaël gave in to his desires for one night, but fear drove him away. Now he must fight to get back to the one man he’s ever loved, even if it’s just to say sorry. Robin wanted a quiet life of bachelorhood, but his family has other plans. When they present him with his new fiancée, he runs, and finds himself face-to-face with pirates. Two pirate crews destined to clash, hurtle toward one another on the tide of their captains’ obsessions. Undefined Tides is a collection of interwoven short stories that follows each member of the Siren Song and Kraken’s Fury as they run, stumble, or murder their way into the life of a pirate. |
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The Midnight Carnival by Kenny Gould Max Plank is a down-on-his-luck handyman with no job, no prospects, and no plan. But when he discovers a million dollars hidden beneath his bathtub, he does what anyone would do: he buys a haunted, defunct amusement park. Now the reluctant ringleader of the Carnival of the Sun, Max finds himself swept into a world of monstrous politics. With the help of several unlikely allies, he sets out to rebuild the carnival, bridge the widening gap between humans and monsters, and maybe even find a little joy along the way. Perfect for fans of Legends & Lattes, Tress of the Emerald Sea, and Spirited Away, The Midnight Carnival is a cozy fantasy full of spooky fun and heartfelt friendship. |
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Rise of the Wicked by E.R. Munley Destiny awaits you in the north... After the fall of the Red Dragon Movement in Myrrida, the Dread King Georg VII seeks to tighten his grip on the conquered regions of Briganta. The Hex Breakers, his elite division of witch hunters, are expanding their reach into the borderlands to root out magic and rebellion wherever it may fester. Kate Morgan and Kora Ellis have been able to evade capture as they make their way to Woad, the northern country that was able to defy the King and regain its independence so many years ago. While no word has arrived about the fate of their friends in Caer, they remain hopeful that they will all be reunited and safe in the hands of the Druid coven of witches. Their arrival in the north unlocks secrets long buried that shake the vary foundations of Kate’s life, forcing her to come to grips with her past and her fate. When they are unexpectedly summoned to the capital of Woad, Kate is faced with a decision that will set her on a path that could change the kingdoms as they know it. With her friends at her side, she will step into her power and become the formidable witch she is destined to be. |
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The Tales of Blended Magic: A Short Story Collection by E.R. Munley and Ruth Sanger They learned the price of broken magic. They worked to mend the severed magic. Then, they fought to balance magic. But that wasn’t the entire story... From the authors of The Statera Cycle comes a collection of twelve short stories. Revisit with your favorite characters and learn what happened outside of their quest to rebuild the ancient staff of power. |
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Strange Liberty by Johannes T. Evans Salvo Caine, a young man cursed with a magically sapping touch, is convicted of manslaughter and dispatched to an island prison. Once there, he’s offered limited freedom — and affection — by the cold and manipulative prison warden, Guillaume Villiers. Rated M, 27.5k, dark fantasy with some M/M dark romance on the side. Good bit of age gap sexiness, and some medical and care-giving kink as well. |
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Powder and Feathers by Johannes T. Evans Aimé Deverell, a depressed and lonely artist finishing up his degree in Dublin, watches the world go by, and paints it as it goes. Life is short, he thinks - and thank God! He’s tired of living it. That philosophy shatters like glass when his life is threatened by the beautiful Jean-Pierre, a Fallen angel. |
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The Fight for Balanced Magic by E.R. Munley and Ruth Sanger Four months, seventeen days. Wren had been too distracted to count the exact hours since Lily’s capture, but she could probably ask Ricky for specifics if necessary. When the Guardians of Statera arrived in Turkey, their only thoughts were of reassembling Statera—the ancient staff representing the unity of magic—and restoring balance to the world of magic. They had traveled the world collecting the pieces and rituals to complete the task. They didn’t expect to emerge from the spell to the chaos of an Arsa siege. In an effort to save her friends, Lily Zuo made the decision to flee with Statera, resulting in her capture by the enemy forces. Months passed and every effort made to rescue Lily from Arsa have resulted in failure. Wren Byrne and Ricky Lee, alongside Absalom Peres, Karina Hasanov, and Javier Moreno, will race across the country to try and find her. Balancing the search for Lily with the building of alliances has the team struggling to stay one step ahead. With Statera in the hands of Arsa, the Guardians and their protectors will be faced with their most dangerous challenge. Beside their allies, they must stand their ground in a final battle against Galiena Lear and her forces. There’s only one thing left to do Fight for Balanced Magic. |
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SLAKE HOUSE by Idal Waves Hallot Alexandra T. Singer IVQKS159 fleshfeel Crane J. Alan Andrews cam Judas Salieri Max Banshees Johannes T. Evans b SLAKE HOUSE is a queer erotic horror choose-your-own-ending (CYOE) anthology featuring 13 author/artist pairs collaborating to create a sexy and horrifying multi-route story which will end in spectacular climax and abject terror. |
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The Mending of Severed Magic by E.R. Munley and Ruth Sanger Blood of Arsa, make us strong. Blood of Sia, keep us from wrong. Blood of zheng, balance our forces. Gifts of others, adding more sources. When Wren Byrne entered the interrogation room with her partner, she never expected to be teaming up with her detainee, Lily Zuo, to save the world of magic. With Absalom Peres and Ricky Lee by their sides, the pair was able to collect the piece of the ancient relic known as Statera, a magical staff that represented and balanced the known magics of the world. Now, the Guardians of Statera have a new mission: expand the number of magical pieces and reassemble the staff. They are joined by Karina Hasanov and her protector, Javier Moreno, in the quest to balance the power of the universe once again. However, as they cross the globe once more, collecting new pieces to increase the power of the staff, Galiena Lear, a leader of Arsa, is hot on their heels. She longs to claim the power of Statera for herself and dominate the magical world in the process. Will the Guardians of Statera be able to reassemble the staff and stop Galiena’s evil plan? |
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The Price of Broken Magic by E.R. Munley and Ruth Sanger Long ago, the three magics of the world came together to bring balance to the universe. Europe brought a staff carved from the Tree of Life. Asia brought a jade orb, imbued with magical power. Africa brought a gold bowl, decorated to look like the wings of magical birds, one wing to represent each magic: a crane for Asia, a hawk for Africa, and a raven for Europe. This brought balance to the magics and all was well for a long time. Until it was broken… Wren Byrne is a good Arsa soldier: she follows orders and doesn’t ask too many questions. She fights diligently to help her clan fix the magical imbalance of the world. Lily Zuo is a dedicated zheng warrior who is trying to balance her family and magical life. She works hard to ensure the best life for all as the world of magic deteriorates around her. During an interrogation, Zuo feeds her a fairytale that makes too much sense to ignore. Torn between truth and loyalty, the pair will escape from the Arsa base and embark on an epic journey across the world, searching for the pieces of an ancient magical artifact. Will they be able to reunite the pieces of the Unity Staff in time to save the world of magic? |
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Swords & Stones by Kimberly Lynn Hanson It started with a sword. And it will end with one, too. Seventeen-year-old Ren Bedivere is no stranger to the protected life in Camelot, even though the rest of the kingdom is war-torn in the aftermath of King Arthur’s reign. As the son of a respected Knight of the Round Table, he’s trained his entire life with the expectation of becoming the first person knighted since Arthur’s death. But when his name isn’t called at the knighting ceremony, and his girlfriend betrays him by joining forces with Mordred’s vengeful sorcerer son seeking the throne, Ren is thrust into a world of self-doubt, questioning the life he knows. With a nudge from Merlin, Ren sets out on a rogue quest with his friends by his side—his supportive twin sister, the wise-cracking best friend, and a mysterious druid girl who is more than she appears. Together, they must venture to retrieve the legendary sword Excalibur to protect their home. The quest leads to an ancient magic that may save Camelot but uncovers a generation of lies about the king and his knights that, once revealed, threaten to destroy the kingdom. In the shadow of betrayal, Ren must choose to embrace the legacy of the knights who came before or shatter the myths to tell his own story. |
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Mark of the Witch by E.R. Munley The fires of persecution burn hot tonight in the city of Caer. Since the great rebellion of Myrridia fifty years ago, the Dread King Georg VII has ruled the country of Briganta with an iron fist. A religious zealot and follower of Malleus, the King has decreed that a new wave of inquisitions must begin. He created the Hex Breakers, an elite division of witch hunters to root out the plague of magic in his lands. Kate Morgan has tried to remain under the radar since her mother’s arrest and execution. By day she works at the Caer Chronicle, and by night she runs an informational blog for the Red Dragon Movement, an organization working to take down the Dread King’s regime. She keeps her nose down and trusts no one with the truth. When a powerful explosion rocks the Chronicle, Kate finds her world turned upside down. Though her boss is arrested for the incident, she finds herself at the center of the magical world that she thought she had left behind. With the help of her new friends and coven, Kate will embark on a journey to power and destiny. Will she be able to master the magic she has long suppressed and save the ones she loves from destruction? |
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Theology and science mix like oil and water. Never in his life would Eris Vandermere have thought The Effect of Divine Presence on Human Behavior would be the topic of his final research paper of the year—yet he finds himself combing the city streets with sophomore Miri Chase, tracking the footsteps of a real-life god who walks the mortal realm. When the god of the sea rescues a child from certain death, his divine blood heals the child’s wounds, and the mortal world hails him as a hero. An undercurrent of intrigue among the mortal population grows and slowly festers, which leads Eris and Miri to stumble across a horrifying truth: mortals will do anything to get their hands on God's Blood. What starts as a simple school project morphs into a frantic scramble for human survival. What must one do to appease an angered god? And how far is a god willing to go in the name of justice? After all, nothing is more devastating than divine rage. |
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Mere Flesh by Catherine Labadie Wynnifred Treloar has everything she needs to succeed as a budding occultist on the cusp of vowing her allegiance to king and country...and marrying the most tame yet influential man in society she can find. Yet everything is not enough for her when she knows more influence than she can dream of will be withheld from her because of who she is.Breaking one rule after another, she sacrifices portions of her body to summon a demonic entity to take over the world. There should be no harm in it: demons are only dark energy, after all, and Wynnifred is a prodigy. When the demon she summons into a circle vows she'll die screaming in his claws, and omens plague her friends and estate, Wynnifred begins to realize there are worse mistakes to make than marrying the wrong society darling. Like beginning to fall for the demon's allure. |
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The First Stone by Teshelle Combs Sanaa of Rote exists only to please her father, the King, by marrying the High Prince of an allied realm. And she will succeed. She must. If she can bear to swallow her hatred for the man to whom she must yield every fragment of her power. |
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The Old Goat and the Alien by Veo Corva Avari keeps to themself. They’re a goat-shape cosmoran, a member of the Cleaners’ Union, and a bit of a grump. That suits them just fine. They don’t have any friends, and that’s fine, because they have siblings. And if their siblings have all grown away from them to start their own lives, then that’s fine, too. Really. But then Avari meets a lost alien in the Elder Grove, and that is not fine. Everyone is telling Avari that this alien is their responsibility just because she’s lost on an unfamiliar planet. Avari can barely tolerate cosmorans; how are they supposed to cope with a human housemate? To get Jenna the human out of their home, Avari is going to have to do several unthinkable things. They’ll have to leave the house, talk to strangers, and even travel to the terrifying ocean planet that is the binary twin of their own. They’ll have to learn about Earth and go to board game parties and meet some of the strangest people in the city. They might even have to make friends. But the trouble is, Avari isn’t sure they deserve them. The Old Goat and the Alien is a cosy, slice-of-life space fantasy with an all-queer cast set on the binary planets of Geminus in a far-away star system. Geminus is populated by cosmorans, sentient creatures whose shape is determined by the stars at their hatching and who bear a striking resemblance to the animals and mythical creatures of Earth. |
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Witchborne by Rachel Grosvenor In medieval Locklear, Agnes harbours a dangerous secret - she can touch fire without being burned. As war rages beyond the town and whispers of witchcraft echo through its streets, Agnes navigates arranged marriages, rival’s schemes, and the threat of the hangman’s noose. When a desperate bargain with a local widow goes awry, Agnes’s world erupts in flames - she is accused of witchcraft. In a society that fears female power, can Agnes find the strength to forge her own destiny? |
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Twisted Souls by Skye Crawford Valan Anartes has a secret. Many, in fact. Growing up in the Unseelie Court meant learning how to fake a smile, how to lie directly to other sidhes’ faces, and to kill anyone who obstructs his path to power. At least, that’s the goal he’s led everyone to believe he has. He’s not the only person hiding something in the shadows. A mysterious rogue, who has vowed his life and love to Valan, will risk everything to protect the truth. But as their enemies—including Valan’s sadistic twin sister—close in and more than just their demi-immortal lives are at stake, Valan’s going to need something beyond an arsenal of magic and manipulation to keep their twisted secrets safe. |
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Step into an Old West of legends, legacies, and lies, where machines come to life and deadly silver terrorizes the land. Twenty-four years have passed since the devastating Awakening of the rogue commuter train, Bucephalus, left countless dead and America forever changed. It also took everything from Geist Warden Gabriel Velasquez. It took his father, his sister, and left him infected with silver, an illness that can be controlled but not cured. Since that day, Gabriel has lived for vengeance, but his time is running out. A chance encounter in the Nevada desert sets Gabriel on the trail of the legendary Colt .45 Buntline Special, the Black Rose. Fabled lawman Wyatt Earp himself once carried the cursed revolver. No one knows how he bent the demon to his will. Some say the Rose twisted him to hers. Whatever their pact, Wyatt Earp once carried the most feared gun in the West, a silver-spitting fiend. Only silver can kill Bucephalus, and only the Black Rose shoots silver. She’s exactly what Gabriel needs, and he’ll go to any lengths to get his hands on her. He will take the Black Rose for himself, one way or another, and finally have his revenge. But the Black Rose has plans of her own … |
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A spy lurking in the shadows, a nation on the verge of an invasion, a man desperate to protect his home. Lucian is the Blade of Castrial, the kingdom's spymaster and first line of defence, lauded for his success in repelling an invasion from Garaner. But the war has left Castrial's economy in shambles, and when the neighbouring kingdom of Sarian musters their armies and sends spies into Castrial, Lucian realises two things: they have a spy in their midst, and they can't afford the cost of fighting off another invasion. And if that wasn't trouble enough, there is Alaric, the Shield of Castrial and the only man in the Echelon whose power is equal to Lucian's. Returned from banishment like the vengeful spirit of their long-lost relationship, Alaric carries a deep-set grudge against Lucian, a grudge that may well be justified. Lucian’s desire to protect his nation is nearly equal to his wish to reconcile with Alaric, but if he cannot get his act together and convince the Shield to work with him, Castrial will fall. Blade Broken is a queer, sword-and-sorcery fantasy and the first book in The Echelon Series. If you love flawed characters, betrayals and redemption, and gritty worldbuilding with lots of political machinations, you will love this book. |
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Grim Portents by Christian Akins Bill Baker wants nothing more than to marry the woman he loves, but when his wedding is interrupted by a rampaging hell-beast, his life is thrown into disarray. Desperate for a second chance, he will do anything to set his future back on track. Now, with the help of a soul-collecting reaper named Sonny, he must uncover who is releasing monsters from Hell, in order to earn back the life that was stolen from him and prevent the oncoming end of days. Faced with the choice between what is right and what is easy, Bill may have to sacrifice all he holds dear for one last shot at life. Grim Portents is a paranormal odyssey that takes a man through Heaven and Hell in a satirical exploration of the institutional pitfalls of the afterlife. Though desperate to return, death may have been the very thing he needed to learn how to live. |
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Solace of Dusk by K. V. Meadows Those who play with prophecies will get burned… 23-year-old Undesirable, Durvla Garrick, has a dangerous secret. Being both deaf and having a chronic ailment, her very existence is treasonous. So, when the Queen’s mercenaries accuse her of stealing a dress, she comes quietly—better to be arrested for her knitting skills than her illness. Under the watchful eye of the broody royal guard, Tiernan Kilkenny—the embodiment of the very people she’s spent her life hiding from—Durvla is appointed dressmaker to the princess. But castle life isn’t quite what she expected, and nor is its staff… With the Queen dying, Princess Carys Meredyth fa Rhodri is reluctant to inherit the throne of a broken Kingdom when she feels so broken herself. Magic has been outlawed for a millennium—so why are her memories filled with whispers of enchantment? When Carys finds a book that only she can read, more questions unravel. Are the fairytales that have provided her comfort since childhood really only stories? Or has the truth been right there all along? |
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How to Survive This Fairytale by S. M. Hallow You are not a hero. You don't get your True Love. This is the part where you lose everything. This is the part where you rewrite your story. After losing everything in service to the Evil Queen, and driven to the edge of sanity by a cruel narrator who won't let him die, Hansel must bring himself to do the impossible: forge his own destiny or give up on his Happily Ever After. For fans of T. Kingfisher's THORNHEDGE and Tamsyn Muir's HARROW THE NINTH, comes a story crafted by S. M. Hallow. Twining together a dark fairy tale retelling with mental health and disability representation plus queer normative world-building splashed with a cozy horror game vibe, HOW TO SURVIVE THIS FAIRYTALE is rewriting Happily Ever Afters. |
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The Shadowbearer's Promise by Jasmyn Morning Whispers of unrest echo through the Shadowrealm. As tensions rise and long-buried fears resurface, a mysterious cult emerges from the darkness, vowing to challenge the rule of the Shadowbearer. As the shadows close in, Edan finds his guarded heart unraveling and his growing affection for Ryuji and Micah pulling him deeper into a bond that defies fate. But with betrayal lurking in every corner, love may be the most dangerous promise of all. In this soul-shattering final instalment of the trilogy, the Shadowbearer must decide how much he’s willing to sacrifice, and whether their love is strong enough to survive the chaos. |
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The Shadowbearer's Burden by Jasmyn Morning The High King of Aetheria stands at the crossroads of duty and desire. Bound by his love for the Shadowbearer, he navigates a fragile bond with the man cursed to wield the darkness. But as a Shadow warrior claims his place in their star-crossed union, their hearts wrestle with jealousy and doubt. With his kingdom demanding unwavering strength and the Shadowbearer's burdens growing heavier, the High King must face impossible choices. Can he bridge the growing chasm between love and duty, or will the shadows tear apart everything he's fought to protect? In this gripping sequel, betrayal and passion entwine as the trio discover that the path to peace is paved with sacrifice. |
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Against an Alpine Sky by Nicole Leland Talos is an artist, a naturalist, and a lithander—a person carved of stone. He lives with his brother but spends his days wandering the mountains and observing the natural world, not realizing how lonely he is. Maëlle is a human woman dreading her arranged marriage to a nobleman. While she doesn’t like her betrothed, she’s convinced herself it’s her duty to tolerate him. When Maëlle receives devastating personal news that makes her situation with her fiancé unsafe, she flees on her owl gryphon to the mountains—and into Talos’s life. As the gentle stone man and the strong, vibrant woman discover truths about themselves and each other, they feel the budding promise of something new, something bigger and more lasting than the mountains. But to embrace their happiness together, they’ll need to overcome Maëlle’s obligations, the censure of Talos’s brother, and most importantly, their own insecurities. |
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Hearts of Bark and Scale by Nicole Leland The world is blood and pain, but still there’s love. All Kvisti has ever wanted is to protect her desert village in a way that would make the Mother Tree proud. Unfortunately, an old injury has left her once-potent dryad powers broken, and she can’t even stop the ruthless magic poachers that invade her village for the scraps of magic she still holds. Snake shifter Iason is bound to a criminal snake den for the sake of his rare healing magic. But the magic poachers want his magic, too. When the poachers throw Kvisti in the same magic-proof cell as Iason, the two are inexorably drawn together, bonding over past traumas. In their isolation, they begin to heal each other, finding a connection deeper than they imagined possible. But when disaster strikes the poachers, Kvisti and Iason are abandoned in their cell with no hope for freedom. In a world that thrives on cruelty and despair, love may be their only salvation. Can Kvisti and Iason break free of their prison and the pasts that haunt them before their connection is torn apart? Will the delicate new feelings taking root in their hearts bloom, or will the desert bury them? When blood and pain are a constant, love is a fragile thing—but one worth fighting for. |
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The Skeletons In Our Closet by Sinclair A. Macabre For as long as he can recall, Daedalus Macabre has been bound to one rule above all else: Don't Step Out of Line. He's always followed it to the letter—his days spent training in elegant forms of fighting, his nights spent studying in his library, and the breaths between spent lost in the worn keys of his piano. He keeps his head down, and he does what he's told. But when Daedalus moves to Nemoure and meets Cain Sidrelle, his meticulously crafted control and rigorous adherence to the rules seem to disappear overnight. Without realizing it, his entire world narrows down to a pretty rich boy with hair like hellfire. A hellfire that threatens to consume him with every passing smile and shared glance. Still, his mother's expectations are a heavy burden, and her anger only grows with his continued distraction and blatant disregard for her rules. The longer Daedalus allows himself his dalliance with Cain, the more dire the consequences become. Until one day those consequences arrive, and Daedalus is faced with a punishment he cannot run away from. Separated by forces outside their control, Daedalus and Cain must overcome years of distance and longing when fate deems to grant them a second chance. But as others start to find themselves in Daedalus' way, Cain begins to question whether this is the man he once knew, and if there can be any hope for the two of them in the end. |
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Not The Fighting Kind by Will Soulsby-McCreath Nat should be doing what dandies do creating fashion, trading information, working on the edges of high society to further their own aims, and flirting with scandal. Instead, they're in the bowels of a ship, captured by pirates intent on ransoming them back to their family as soon as they find out to which family they should send the letter. Unfortunately for all involved, Nat knows one thing the pirates can never be allowed to find They are unransomable. Their family has plenty enough money to pay any ransom, but Nat's father sent them to sea in the first place, put them in the path of these pirates, because he wanted Nat out of the way. Ransoms create scandal. Nat can't afford another. |
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Rise of the Dragonwitch by Timothy K Clark Kidnapped from NYC and thrust into Tir Na—a dangerous world where myths and legends truly exist—college student Finley Maguire is named the prophesied savior destined to stop a mad king’s rise to immortal power. But Finley isn’t a warrior, and dealing with deadly court intrigue, her intense training, and even fiery dragons might kill her before the prophecy ever has a chance. As war looms, she must decide: fight for a world she doesn’t understand, or risk losing everything to a king who will destroy it all. |
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A Demon to Save Me by H.S. Kallinger Gabriel Belmont's life is succumbing to a downward spiral when he accidentally summons a demon. After he refuses to make a contract, something ignites within him, inspiring him to strive for a real future—a real life. Two years later, he has everything he wanted, and his life is on track. But it's a fragile thing. A cascade of events threatens to destroy it all. He has to find it in him to not only save the people he loves, but also the demon who saved him in the first place. |
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A Spell of Bones and Madness by E. K. Condos Blood. Daggers. Golden chains. Katrin’s nightmares have returned. This time they are not visions of the past, but the present. His present. Castle Drakos hadn’t been attacked since the ancient war. Until that day. The day everything changed. The day she became Queen. The day she barely escaped with her life in exchange for Alexander’s. Now Katrin must work with the crew of The Nostos and several unlikely allies to not only rescue Alexander, but journey through the depths of Aidesian itself to prevent Hades from being resurrected. Because if King Athanas and the King of Harrenfort have their way, the fallen will rise |
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SUMMONED to ANOTHER WORLD, but ALL I’M SUPPOSED to DO is FARM MYTHIC-RARITY RAID DROPS by eskay Gravity Gales is depressed. Her retail job is physically painful, her student loans are coming due, and her relationship with her long-term girlfriend grows rockier with each bill. Life out of college is nothing like she was led to expect, and merely navigating the maddening rituals required to get by in modern society has left her helplessly exhausted. So when she’s inexplicably summoned into the virtual reality game Final Destiny Light 3, she’s in no hurry to leave. Things here make sense—the mission guidelines are clear, the player roles are unambiguous, and if she works twice as hard as the next person, then she’ll receive twice the rewards. Despite the fact that her favorite weapon has begun to talk to her, speaking of some apocalypse-averting quest that she supposedly was summoned to complete, Gravity is determined to stay here for the rest of her life—even if that means letting the rest of her world fall apart around her. |