Dark Inferno by Arleta Rae

Fire consumes. It is its nature to do so. Thea Knight has lost the battle to the Brais and is forced to live in their castle with the mission of honing her rare fire abilities. She must blend in with them, lest she be destroyed. To keep her witch best friend and the vampire who created her safe, she must tear the Brais from the inside out before they risk their own lives to save her. To do this, Thea needs to find and defeat the elusive King of the Brais. In the land of the Brais, being a double agent is a death sentence. And to defeat them, Thea must unravel the secrets behind the rogue group and their true intentions with her. But learning the truth could shatter everything.

The Sherangivan by Jacqueline Fellows

"You go no farther than your own mind; and what could be more familiar to you than yourself?" A new city on the rivers, its walls pristine and untested. Encroaching strangers, aggressive, seeking a new land of their own. A brutal triple murder in the woods. And a young man caught in the middle of it all, tormented by dreams he doesn't understand.

Silver Dawn by C M Debell

The magic has been healed, the ambition of Aarkan has finally been defeated, and the dragons have claimed Aarin for their own. But outside the Long Dream, the world lies poised on the edge of chaos. Kinseris might rule in Kas’Tella, but Darred has suborned many in the Kas’Talani Order who have no wish to give up their power, and his invasion of Amadorn has taken him to the gateway to the north itself. Those who survived the siege of Ephenor, who fought with Aarin to reforge the bond between the races, must once more face the consequences of the dragons’ power in the wrong hands. But when Darred’s machinations imperil the emancipation of the dragons, Aarin will be forced to choose between two loyalties, and the resulting conflict could tear Andeira apart all over again. Silver Dawn concludes the Long Dream series.

The Many Shades of Midnight by C M Debell

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A mysterious enemy threatens the continent of Ellasia, spreading a deadly sickness that kills or transforms everything it touches. In desperation, the King of Lankara sends an envoy to his disgraced former military commander, Alyas-Raine Sera, recalling him from exile and begging his aid. But when a discovery links the contagion to the mining of Isyrium, the most precious mineral resource in Ellasia, it pits Alyas against the powerful mining syndicates in a conflict that could have catastrophic consequences. Because the syndicates will fight to defend their wealth and power, even if the cost is everything and everyone else.

Empress and Soldier by Marian L Thorpe

A boy of the night-time streets. A girl of libraries and learning. Druisius, the son of a merchant, is sixteen when his father’s cruel order drives him from home and into the danger and intrigue of the military. Eudekia, a scholar’s daughter, educated and dutiful, is not meant to be a prince’s bride. In an empire at war, and in a city beset by famine and unrest, she must prove herself worthy of its throne. A decade after a first, brief meeting, their lives intersect again. When a delegation arrives from the lost West, Druisius is assigned to guard them. In the span of a few weeks, a young captain will capture the hearts of both Empress and soldier in very different ways, offering a future neither could have foreseen. A stand-alone novel that can also serve as a second entry point into the Empire series. No previous knowledge of my fictional world is needed.

The Blood of a Dragon by Jack Adkins

Anuka Sandbar is the most interesting half-goblin alive. Just ask him. While searching for his famous father, a roguish young half-goblin swashbuckler and his unlikely companions are enslaved by pirates. An emissary of the Silver DragonLord Augmaximitis buys them and offers them freedom if they can find the source of illegal DragonsBlood flooding the country. They soon discover that success could trigger a war between Dragons that would destray the mortal races. How will they choose between gaining their freedom and dooming the world?

More Than A Gunslinger by J.R. Carrel

The year is 1869 and the West is still wild. Izzy is the greatest sharpshooter on Earth. She's hell bent on tracking down a mysterious robber baron, who has been gobbling up the railroads. She will find out that there is more to this robber baron and the world around her than she could ever imagine. He will find out that she is...... More Than A Gunslinger.

Blood Reunion by JCM Berne

People are dying, their corpses left savaged and drained of blood. The obvious culprit: vampires. But vampires shouldn’t be able to sneak around Wistful undetected or shadowstep freely inside her body. Soon the station herself becomes oddly uncooperative, leaving Rohan and Wei Li bewildered and all her inhabitants in danger. Finding and defeating the killer will require a deep dive into the ancient history of Wistful and of the il’Drach people. Into the connections between the Ursans, the wormholes, and the races that preceded them. Into the dark past of a tormented space station that yearns only for death. Rohan will be forced to fight, and maybe even to kill. He’ll have to face those who bear grudges from his past, the Empire he once served, and his own reluctance to again become the warrior he sometimes needs to be.

The Girl Forged by Fate by Brittany Czarnecki

A betrayal nineteen years in the making. Seventeen-year-old Ivy Blackbourne wants nothing more than to become a knight and help defend her home from southern raiders, but her father's law forbids it. King Magnus has his reasons for this law and will do anything to protect his family, but it might be too late. The war has spread to the kingdom of Godstone and Magnus is forced to send Ivy away for her protection but also to begin her training. Ivy soon meets a boy named Finn, whose past will links their fates together, and as their relationship grows so too does the danger. King Magnus has been betrayed. His wife is being targeted and his son is being hunted. Ivy soon finds herself fighting for her life trying to get back home, but home is no longer safe. There is one man behind it all, and he'll stop at nothing to get his revenge on the king who took everything from him.

The Good Pharmacist's Deadly Secrets (A Findale Fae Mystery) by Belinda M Gordon

A Fae in hiding. A discarded backpack. A pharmacist murdered. Escaping the notoriety she'd acquired in The Otherworld,Sloan Murray packed up her loyal cocker spaniel Max and left her fellow fae to settle in the small town of Findale.Sloan thought her new life in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania would change for the better, become quieter, less unpredictable--if only a small group of fae hadn't followed her into this new world. Still,Sloan's enjoying her relative anonymity untilshe attempts to return alost backpack and ends up accused of murder. Suddenly, not only do half the town think they know who she is, they're under the misconception she's a dangerous killer. Will Sloan and her fae friends unravel the dead pharmacist's secrets before the obstinate Det. Moody arrests her for murder? Time is ticking, and if Sloan can't find the real murderer soon, not only will she lose what's left of her magical anonymity, she will lose her freedom forever. The Good Pharmacist's Deadly Secrets is a cozy who-done-it with a little something for everyone--humor, mystery, fae, and even a lovable dog! Read less

The Stories They Told Their Children by Izabela Raittila

This is an anthology of fantasy short stories depicting the culture and beliefs of a fictional continent called the Gragiyan Empire. Inspired by the works of J.R.R.Tolkien and various European myths, these mythical tales follow powerful deities known as the Erai, their immortal servants—the enchanting Enai, and courageous mortals. This anthology includes the tragic love story of Avarrin and Amara, a touching romance inside the bleak Halls of Makar, the legend of the Orealisi Oasis, the battles of the Atarai and more.

Strangely Familiar by Alma T.C. Boykin

When a goth-gal gets a Familiar, everything changes. Neither Jamie Macbeth nor Lelia Chan wanted Familiars. Now they have them, and Angus and Tay insist that their humans rise to the occasion. From inverted autos and giant cloven-hoof prints to attacking puzzle balls and the perils of shedding season, nothing's quite the same once a Familiar saunters into the picture. Especially when magic-workers start dying of unnatural causes. Or do they?

Icebreaker by Steven William Hannah 

SPSFC 2023

Inside their walls, the people are safe from exposure to the unnamed horror that broke the world long ago; but now Bear, the last scientist in Forgehead, takes a case that threatens to throw that safety into question. Someone has been terminally exposed to the phenomenon, despite never having ventured outside the walls. This has only happened once before - to Bear's father. With the safety of Forgehead in question, and an opportunity to finally discover what happened to his father, Bear must leave the safety of the walls to unravel the mysteries left behind by the pre-cataclysm world; a task that will require him to join the Interloper Initiative, the team who crew the gigantic Crawler landships, the only vehicles that can roam the world outside the walls in relative safety. "Icebreaker" is the first entry in the Interloper Trilogy, a tale of horror and science charting the last days of a dying world, and humanity's endeavour to survive.

Witchfinder by Sarah A. Hoyt

n Avalon, where the world runs on magic, the king of Britannia appoints a witchfinder to rescue unfortunates with magical power from lands where magic is a capital crime. Or he did. But after the royal princess was kidnapped from her cradle twenty years ago, all travel to other universes has been forbidden, and the position of witchfinder abolished. Seraphim Ainsling, Duke of Darkwater, son of the last witchfinder, breaks the edict. He can't simply let people die for lack of rescue. His stubborn compassion will bring him trouble and disgrace, turmoil and danger -- and maybe, just maybe, the greatest reward of all.

TOM by Dave Freer

Tom is a cat in trouble. The worst possible kind of trouble: he’s been turned into a human. Transformed by an irascible old magician in need of a famulus -- a servant and an assistant, Tom is as good at being a servant as a cat ever is. The assistant part is more to Tom’s taste: he rather fancies impressing the girl cats and terrorizing the other toms by transforming himself into a tiger. But the world of magic, a vanished and cursed princess, and a haunted skull, and a demon in the chamber-pot, to say nothing of conspiring wizards and the wickedest witch in the west, all seem to be out to kill Tom. He is a cat coming to terms with being a boy, dealing with all this. He has a raven and a cheese as… sort of allies. And of course there is the princess. If you were looking for ‘War and Peace’ this is the wrong book for you. It’s a light-hearted and gently satirical fantasy, full of terrible puns and… cats.

The Rose and the Knight by Luís Falcão de Magalhães

A guilt-ridden knight seeking redemption at the edge of a blade. A would-be emperor on a quest for prophecy. A young cleric finding purpose amidst the deepest darkness. Their stories will shape the future of Elessia for ages to come. Enter Elessia, a land of sword and sorcery, of fiery battles and demonic foes. Heroes will rise and legends will fall in six short stories that set the stage for the epic saga to come. After two thousand years without magic, the Age of Decadence draws to an end. The cycle of death and rebirth strains against the shackles dictated by the gods. Ancient powers stir beneath the mountains. Malevolent beings awaken in long-forgotten tombs. And a handful of humans find a spark of divine power kindled within their breast. Among these are The Roses — avatars of War, Love, and Prophecy.

A Silvery Moon by Luís Falcão de Magalhães

As magic returns to Elessia, so do the undead. A lone monster hunter rises to protect the weak. Continuing the hunt that consumed most of his adult life, monster-slayer Lucius travels to a quiet mountain town to consult with a fellow monk… only to find him dead. When the town’s rulers turn a deaf ear to his questioning, he and his newfound allies set out on their own quest for answers. Their path will take them into the mountain’s darkest depths, where ghastly foes stalk their every step. But what the forces of darkness don’t expect is that Lucius is not just any monster hunter — for he wields the power of the Silver Lady, primordial goddess of Elessia. No darkness shall remain unburned before her silvery light! And yet, a greater power still lies in wait, shielded by the mountain’s secrets…

The Garden Gnome - Theory of Magic Book 1 by Jeff McIntyre

Where did magic go? Our world is defined by science, but history tells us that the world was once a much more magical place. Every culture has tales of when the gods walked among us, when strange magical creatures dwelt in the dark, and when users of magic were respected and feared. We tell ourselves that these stories are myth and superstition. But what if they aren’t? What if magic were to return? And what does it have to do with a ten year old boy and his imaginary friend? Daniel and Sophia Fitzroy are worried that their son Tony is being bullied in his new school and is struggling to cope. Leo Schafer is reporting on a new and powerful particle accelerator experiment and the protestors who want it stopped. FBI Special Agent Debra Kazdin is investigating the protests and trying to keep things from escalating. Brian Cooke is being inducted into a secret society that knows the truth about magic and will stop at nothing to keep it from returning. They will be drawn together in an extraordinary confrontation that will change the world forever.

Love Like A Cephalopod by Cassondra Windwalker

Being an executioner for the state is exhausting, but after a lifetime of dispatching the criminal and the inconvenient, fifty-eight-year-old Grenda finds it does have its compensations. Her cat- sized dragon Bjartur and the dragon eggs she tends are all the friends and family she needs. Completely cut off from the outside world, she happily accepts the luxuries owed her status – including a pet octopus named Morrigan – without the faintest twinge of conscience or doubt. All that changes when she encounters the most unexpected nemesis: a young refugee girl whom Grenda is incapable of executing. Against her will, Grenda finds herself shifting from killer to caretaker, risking her life to defy the state she’s never questioned and help young Allora to freedom. Everything Grenda thinks she knows about her world, her life, and even her own identity cascades out of her control—including the dragon-bond she holds dearer than life itself.

Stranger Shores by Katie Zaber

Busy learning how to kill with her gift of life, Princess Megan craves time to practice how to heal, but knows that only death will win the upcoming war. For the first time in Megan’s life, she has fallen in love, and with the wrong man, at that. As much as she loves Mana, will she have to end their relationship to keep her promise to the soon-to-be king of the Syreni, Prince Aenon? Meanwhile, Kevin is busy preparing for his child with Dana and trying to keep Megan out of trouble. When Brynjar takes him to the Saoirson Fighters' hideout, he realizes he knows nothing and if he wants answers, he’ll have to talk to people he never expected to meet and never wanted to. On Earth, Carmia is learning what makes this foreign world spin. She discovers an island with inhabitants that appear primitive but are more sophisticated than anyone on Dalya. Their technology is more advanced than the inventions in her dreams. She flirts with the idea of staying on Earth forever until tragedy sends her sailing back to Dalya and into a deadly storm. She promises to return and never leave Earth again. At the same time, the king of the Paradise Kingdom and secretly all of Dargone, Megan’s father, plans his next move against his daughter, giving her a surprise she will never expect.

What To Expect When You're Expecting Something Different by Katie Zaber

It’s weird how every woman reacts differently. How each pregnancy differs. Mine is definitely unique. My sense of smell became stronger, picking up the faintest odors, and my stomach was in constant turmoil. Those were the first signs. And then I started eating. And eating. If I don’t, I get a migraine and people’s faces become blurry. Electronics seem to malfunction in my presence. And the nightmares—they don’t stop. Something is changing my body. Something that should have never happened. Something that my husband and I had prevented from happening. Something people say is miraculous. The bigger I get, the more frequently I encounter people who become possessed. And the more often I wind up questioning if I am carrying a miracle baby. The closer I get to the due date, the more I love this child and the more confident I am that I will protect my baby from anything. Even its fate. DNA Demons N Angels contains violence, swearing, and sex scenes. If you are looking for a clean, curse free book, this isn't it.

A Darkness At The Door by Intisar Khanani

I've been cursed, betrayed, and sold into slavery – but the truth I carry can't be allowed to die. Only Rae knows the extent of the corruption at the heart of the kingdom of Menaiya, from the noble lord who betrayed her, to the Circle of Mages whose wards protect the slavers from discovery. Injured and imprisoned on a slave ship, Rae's options are quickly running out. When a desperate escape attempt goes terribly wrong, she finds herself indebted to a terrifying Fae sorceress. Now Rae will not rest until she has rescued her fellow prisoners and freed her land from the darkness that has taken hold. To succeed, she'll need every ally she can find—including Bren, the thief who may have stolen her heart. But Bren is hiding his own bloody secrets, and the curses that encircle Rae have sunk their claws into her mind. With her debts coming due and time running short, all the truths in the world may not be enough to save her kingdom, or herself. What critics are saying: "Full of action, magic, and intrigue." - Foreword Reviews, starred review "A fairy tale that goes beyond happily-ever-after, exploring the will and vigilance needed to achieve justice and equity." - Kirkus Reviews, starred review Named one of Kirkus Reviews' Best Young Adult Books of the Year, 2022 Snap up the thrilling sequel to THE THEFT OF SUNLIGHT now!

The Ascendant: Tales of Pern Coen by Hannah E. Carey

Defeating the Raven Spirit could cost them everything. After fleeing Castle Ciall, Ciara has chosen to remain at the side of the rightful Ri of Blaidd, even though Niall's future is uncertain. The two of them have finally confessed the truth of their feelings, but she still struggles to gain his complete trust, no matter how hard she tries. Niall knows he cannot abandon his people, but he also knows they greatly fear his power. To regain control of the clan, he must reveal his secrets and seek aid from the one man he loathes: his father. Ciara and Niall's journey to thwart the Raven Spirit and Niall's usurping brother, Bleddyn, eventually leads them back to Ciara's homeland. Alliances are made and traitors are revealed, until the fate of the island and Niall's very life fall into Ciara's hands. Will she break under Bleddyn's lies or become the warrior she has always longed to be?

The Betrayer: Tales of Pern Coen by Hannah E. Carey

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A broken warrior. An outcast king. And a darkness that threatens to destroy them both. Niall never imagined he would become king, nor did he ever imagine that he would be granted the abilities of a seer. His unnatural power, however, has proven to be no great gift, for it has already cost him the woman he loves and it threatens to cost him his kingship. His people already don't trust him and if they knew of his power, they would view him as nothing more than a monster. Niall's future looks grim, but a twist of fate returns Ciara to his life when he least expects it. He latches onto the hope of a different future, only to discover that things have changed while he has hidden away in his castle. When the man Ciara trusted the most disappeared, she turned to his brother, a man she never saw herself falling for. Bleddyn has shown Ciara that there is more to him than she first thought and she has carved out a life at his side, but things are unsettled on the island of Pern Coen. A dark power is stirring, one that hasn't been seen in decades. One man is at the center of the growing darkness, but is it the man that Ciara, and the people, think? Is Niall innocent or is he hiding more than just his powerful abilities?

The Successor: Tales of Pern Coen by Hannah E. Carey

Can she trust a man sent by her enemy to help her save her clan from darkness? A loyal warrior of the Ri of Ceffyl, Torin has no choice but to do the Ri's bidding when he's sent to hunt down a powerful healer. His task, however, is fraught with peril, as the healer he is forced to seek out is rumored to have been cursed by one of the Dark Spirits of the island of Pern Coen. After a heart wrenching betrayal by the man she trusted the most, Briallen has been forced to carve out a lonely existence on the rugged coast. When a warrior comes to her door claiming to be sent by the man who betrayed her and demanding her return to Castle Afon, she refuses. But when that same warrior is attacked by a monster from the deep, she feels duty bound to help him with her gift of healing. Thrown together in unexpected and unlikely circumstances, Torin and Briallen find themselves drawn to one another in ways they never imagined. But as their feelings for one another grow, the dark threats against the people of Ceffyl increase and Briallen discovers that she just might have the power to put an end to them. If there is to be any hope for the clan, Torin will have to determine where his loyalties lie and Briallen will have to decide if she can trust a man sent by her enemy.

The Huntress: Tales of Pern Coen by Hannah E. Carey

The war must end and Rhiannon must fight for the life she dreams of. Conor and Rhiannon have joined forces to win Pern Coen its freedom from the Empire of Kelnore, but their fight has only just begun. Crown Princes Alekos has sworn to capture and destroy both the Hunter and the Huntress, but what he doesn't know is that the Huntress is his beloved cousin. More than just Alekos and the Kelnorian Army, however, threaten to tear Conor and Rhiannon apart. Conor's former betrothed reveals that she, too, has survived the Kelnorian invasion. Wynne wants Conor back and her return to his life threatens the fledging relationship that he and Rhiannon have built. But Wynne is also hiding a secret. She harbors a power that could change the tide of the war. When Alekos learns of Wynne's gift, he offers her a greater future than any she has ever imagined, but it will only be hers if she gives him her loyalty in return. Rhiannon has become the warrior she has dreamed of, but will she and Conor lose everything they have fought so hard for at the hands of the empire?

Demon's Call by Julie Boglisch

Alex, Rita, and Milos journey north in search of a missing mother and the answers she can provide. With danger around every corner, it will take all their skills and comraderie just to survive … Before the waters of the north tear them apart.

Heart of Fire by Raina Nightingale

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A SLAVE DETERMINED TO RIDE A DRAGON. A CHILD CHOSEN TO RIDE THE OBSIDIAN GUARDIAN. Camilla has always been told that humans are inferior. They cannot use magic. If they bond to dragons, they will doom the creatures to extinction. She has never believed a word of it. She has always known that she can use magic, and she suspects it is the elves who harm the dragons by keeping them to themselves. Now, she is presented with the opportunity of a lifetime: a dragon’s clutch is hatching and while she will earn the wrath of her captors if she is caught, she has the chance to see a dragon hatch and perhaps even to Recognize. Kario’s people have feared dragons since time immemorial. When an unrealistically huge black dragon flies in while she is hunting, she is certain she will die. Instead, her life is changed when Nelexi, Obsidian Guardian of Areaer, chooses her as her final rider. Kario takes the name Flameheart, but she is soon homesick and afraid that she is insufficient to be the partner of a god.

Bake Happy by Cori Cooper

Cat has this baking thing down! Now that she's been to the family bakery and knows all about her baking abilities, Cat is baking the world a better place one class party and family dinner at a time. Her life is practically perfect until a surprise visit and an even bigger surprise announcement turns Cat's perfectly proofed world into an upside down cake. How is she supposed to bake happy now? Find out in Bake Happy, the third and final book in the Bake Believe Trilogy.

Bake Off by Cori Cooper

Now that Cat knows what her baking can do, it's time to discover why and how! Cat and her family roadtrip all the way to Arizona for Thanksgiving break to find the answers they need at the family bakery. Instead of resolving her bazillion questions, Cat finds herself in the middle of a bakery showdown with suspicion as the main ingredient. Emotions are all over the place as Cat and Robyn learn the hard way that reckless baking and magic is a recipe for disaster.

Bake Believe by Cori Cooper

Baking is messy enough without adding Magic to the mix. Cat Anderson has everything she could ever want. Her best friend is also her cousin, she's about to start eighth grade, and a cute new boy just moved into the neighborhood. Seriously, best life ever. So what if her mom refuses to touch the oven? So what if they always eat frozen food or take-out? So what if Cat doesn't know the difference between homemade and store bought? It's just food. Who even cares? But food, it turns out, is a very big deal. Cat's family has a secret too fantastic to stay hidden, too incredible to be real. Something happens when they bake, something that changes everything. Can it be true? Or is it Bake Believe?

Mother of the Bond by E C Greaves

"I have witnessed the destruction wrought by dreams... The day of bronze and iron is no more." After brutal hardship and bitter loss, now is the time for victory. But for Zyntael Fairwinter, her Vulkari sisters, and the Bare-Skins they call ally, it is a victory that will come at a price. To stand a chance against the Merchant Combine, Zyntael must venture deep behind enemy lines. There she will learn that theirs is a conquest that transcends mere flesh and empire. With danger all around her, and time rapidly running out, Zyntael will need to draw upon all that she has lived, and all that she has learned, if she is to triumph. And, all the while, she must find a way to keep her new pup safe from those who would see his life and his world consumed by war. For, although she may not be able to write very well, the contracts that Zyntael has made with Sacharr might have spelt her doom and Sprites, alike. After all, whilst the men of Sacharr and the Merchant Combine may each dream of better futures for all, a dream undesired is but a nightmare in disguise. The final instalment in the trilogy carefully weaves the threads first stitched in Daughter of the Beast, and continued in Sister of the Dead, into a rich and satisfying pattern—one that features plenty of action, drama, mystery, and excitement. It will appeal to young adult and adult readers alike, with its diverse and colourful cast of characters, the richly detailed and unique fantasy world of the series, and the moral and philosophical quandaries posed within its pages.

Sister of the Dead by E C Greaves

"Call it ritual or cult, if you will. But it is just business... And the dead have long been our commodity." The Vulkari do not belong within the walls of a city, and Zyntael Fairwinter is no different. So when a perilous quest into the heart of the Old-Reach is planned, Zyntael jumps at the chance to join it. Together with her closest allies, she embarks on a journey to travel beyond the mysterious “Mortuary-City” of Quaresh—to cut off the source of the Merchant Combine’s Necromancy. But there is a reason they call it the Mortuary-City. Between dangerous arcane rituals, pirate attacks, bar fights, and battles—death lurks at every turn. And to make matters worse, only a few short moons remain before Zyntael’s pup is due. The intriguing follow-up to Daughter of the Beast blends action and adventure with the turbulence of soon-to-be motherhood, and the ongoing quest for identity—within a richly detailed and uniquely characterised fantasy world. Sister of the Dead will appeal to both adult and young adult readers, who want their fantasy to balance action, philosophy, and a touch of romance too. The story tackles themes of belonging, self-worth, and one's place in the world, alongside asking the question: what does a Ratling taste like?

Daughter of the Beast by E C Greaves

SPFBO9 SPFBO Finalist

Fear not the beasts in your stories — with a stout blade and a stouter heart, become the thing they fear. When her sleepy village is raided by the Vulkari, the fearsome warrior women of the Ancient Wilds, only Zyntael Fairwinter is taken. Claimed as a daughter by their infamous matriarch, Zyntael is trained to hunt, to fight, and to kill—all for a purpose that remains ever out of her grasp. In the company of their unruly young, she might find sisterhood. In their unique customs and beliefs, she might find beauty. And in the violence of their raids, she might even find glory. But it is the reason for her capture that Zyntael truly seeks. It is a truth that must be earned from the very Spirits of the dead; a future paid for in the blood of those Zyntael once called her own. It is a purpose that promises the liberation of not just she, but of all the Ancient Wilds, from an evil far greater than any marauding warrior women. The Vulkari, however, are not like other women. The Vulkari are monsters. And sometimes, only the truly monstrous have what it takes to save the world. Steeped in Slavic Myth, and appealing to adult and young adult readers alike, Daughter of the Beast is a rich and unique fantasy coming-of-age story. It is the first in an exciting debut trilogy by E C Greaves, which blends action and adventure, with themes of belonging, identity, destiny, and a girl's place in a harsh and uncaring world—built for, and by, men.

Idriel's Children by Hayley Reese Chow

Reaping darkness, the Shadow slicked steel with judgment and danced with death… Sixteen-year-old Aza inherited the power of shadow to rid the land of evil as Odriel’s cold-blooded assassin. With her growing strength, Aza discovers the Shadow Plane—a realm of wraiths where screams haunt the winds, calling to her. Although her father forbids her from entering the dark realm, Aza can’t ignore the beckoning whispers. When a dangerous new breed of monster attacks, Aza believes the Shadow Plane holds the answers they need to defeat them. With the unwanted help of a snarky cat and a cursed beast, Aza seeks out the monastic Wraith-Called for answers. But the deeper Aza delves into the dark realm, the further she drifts from the world she knows. As Aza uncovers evils new and old, she must decide if the ends really do justify the means… and how many lives she’s willing to pay.

Time's Orphan by Hayley Reese Chow

Speak of pain, and I’ll tell you of the Time who stole it away… Besieged by war, ravaged by monsters, and crawling with the undead, the land of Okarria is dying. Seventeen-year-old Emara survives by using her modest healing gift to save as many as she can while eluding the invaders who thirst for her enchanted blood. So when a cursed cat saves her life and reveals Emara is the legendary Time Heir the necromancer king’s been searching for, she agrees to act as bait in a plot to destroy him. But when the plan goes horrifically awry, Emara must discover how deep her powers go, what she can change… And what she cannot. Unfortunately, Time Heirs have a history of getting killed, and with Okarria’s future on the line, Emara may have no choice but to follow in her ancestors’ footsteps.

A Song of Sorrow by C. E. Page

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Keep your head down, stay silent, and never use your magic. These are the rules that Deana has lived by ever since she and her brother lost their parents in a tragic accident. Now Kai is gone as well. He was the only thing keeping her anchored to a world that will never truly accept her. A world that sees her connection to Grandmother Ocean as a curse and her magic as an anomaly that will eventually spin out of her control and destroy everything. When Bran arrived in the Faridean Isles to study the magical affliction plaguing its young prince, he didn’t expect to be thrown into a race to stop a tyrant from unleashing chaos. But when Prince Samir is kidnapped and Deana—the only person who knows the truth about the mysterious shrouded ones—goes missing, he finds himself swept up by the machinations of a centuries-old curse. A curse that when triggered will drag the Isles and all in them into the fathomless deep.

Followed By Fire (The Incineration Saga, #1) by McKenzie Austin

A witch, a demon, and a priest walk into a tavern … Wait, no. A war. Yeah. It’s definitely a war. In Brigovia, the cobblestones run warm with the blood of humans, demons, and enchanters alike. And with each body that falls, one name is whispered: Greenbriar. It’s all particularly vexing for Esven Greenbriar, since she’s never killed anyone in her entire life. But when humans drag her mother, the fabled witch of Brigovia, from their isolated home and execute her by fire, all of Esven’s compassion for mankind goes up in smoke. Now, tempted by an alluring fire demon with a proposition to destroy humanity, the young witch must choose between the revenge she craves and her late mother’s wish for peace. With a reticent priest and a sarcastic cat among her painfully short list of friends, she just might be able to stifle her anger and spare the world. Or, you know, burn it all to ash.

Cast a Shadow of Doubt by Christiane Knight

Lucee Fearney legitimately inherited the leadership of the Fae faction known as Eleriannan, but what will happen when they find out that she still only has the magical skills of a Mortal? When unexpected, dangerous visitors show up at the door of Maithe House, they bring word of an enemy that none of the Fae know how to fight. Even if Lucee can learn to trust herself and lean on her friends for help, will it be enough to take down the powerful and mysterious foe known as the Mealladhan? Rejoin Lucee, Cullen, Merrick, Vali, Sousa, and all the other Mortal-born and Fae of Baltimore in another magical, musical adventure! Now with 100% more outdoor summer music festivals, uncanny graffiti, and shadowy forces.

Stormborn: A Steamborn Novel by Eric Asher

SPFBO10 SPSFC 2024

A throne claimed. A city reborn. A family broken. Thanks to the help of Jacob’s Titan Mechs, much of Belldorn survived the battle that ravaged its shores. But the war is far from over. Demands to chase Ballern’s surviving forces across the sea meet more resistance than Jacob could have imagined when Lady Katherine ignores her allies’ protests and shifts her focus to reinforcing the city. Alice knows they’ll need to grow their numbers if they’re going to stand a chance against Mordair on the other side of the Crystal Sea. Their hopes rest on Furi bringing the Skyborn into the fold. But Samuel has another plan that will take them back to where it all began … behind the towering walls of Ancora. Whether they await Mordair’s return or bring the fight to him, their survival once more depends on Jacob’s allies. As hope begins to fade … so come the Stormborn.

Between Jobs by W.R. Gingell

When you get up in the morning, the last thing you expect is to see a murdered guy hanging outside your window. Things like that tend to draw the attention of the local police, and when you’re squatting in your parents’ old house until you can afford to buy it, another thing you can’t afford is the attention of the cops. Oh yeah. Hi. My name is Pet. It’s not my real name, but it’s the only one you’re getting. Things like names are important these days. And it’s not so much that I’m Pet. I’m a pet. A human pet: I belong to the two Behindkind fae and the pouty vampire who just moved into my house. It’s not weird, I promise—well, it’s weird, yeah. But it’s not weird weird, you know?

Jester by Brielle D. Porter

Lisette’s father killed the King. His execution leaves Lisette alone, disgraced, and without the magic he intended to pass on to her. In Oasis, that’s a problem. Glutted with enchanted performers, Oasis is a sin city where courtiers pay in gold to drink, gamble, and above all, be entertained. To survive on its competitive streets, Lisette peddles paltry illusions in place of magic. Desperate to prove herself, Lisette enters into a deadly competition to be chosen as the highest-ranked magician in the world, the Queen’s Jester. But her rival, the irritatingly handsome Luc, possesses the one thing Lisette does not—real magic. Lisette will do anything to win, but when evidence implicating the Queen in her husband’s murder surfaces, Lisette must choose between redeeming her family name, or seizing the fame she’s hungered for her entire life.

Demigod Magic Academy: Daughter of Zeus by J.A. Bennett

A new generation of Demigods has risen, and they hate each other. Rhea Olympios knows part of her is missing. Her looks, favorite foods, and even her last name are Greek, but the father who gave her those traits chooses to hide. It doesn’t help that Tarpon Springs boasts the largest Greek population outside of the country itself. Drew is the first person who doesn’t make Rhea feel like she’s other. A Korean immigrant, Drew stands out in her small town. He has everything Rhea could want in a boyfriend, a loving family, a job at a bookstore, and gorgeous brown eyes a girl could fall into forever. It’s Drew’s secret—however—that will prove to be Rhea’s entire undoing. The magic Rhea hides in her empty heritage becomes manifest with Drew’s nearness. One minute Rhea is struggling to survive high school. The next, she’s thrown into the world of the gods where power rules and the weak get trodden over. Rhea must struggle to put herself together or risk tearing everything and everyone apart.

Chains of Stone by Jaysee Jewel

Two tales of forbidden love intertwine in this dark fantasy romance. An heiress set to inherit her mother's business finds herself falling for a slave who is forging a rebellion against her. Meanwhile, a mad queen decides to marry a slave-turned-prince even though he plans to kill her. Both unlikely pairs must choose between love and duty. Are they willing to give up everything they hold dear to protect each other, or will they end up slitting each other's throats? A hundred years ago, the gods granted Clostrum and its surrounding countries elemental stones of power, but only women could use them. This turned Clostrum into a matriarchal society reliant on slaves to mine these stones. Evelyn Payne is the heir to a family whose mines and weapons have protected the country for years. After her twentieth birthday, her mother sends her to one of these mines in disguise to learn responsibility and root out corruption among the employed guards within. Once her work there is done, she will inherit the mine. However, as she gets to know the male slaves who toil away underground and the women who oversee them, her beliefs and loyalties are swayed by a kind-hearted slave who makes her wish she could become more than a pampered noble or tyrannical leader. As Evelyn fights her feelings toward Francis and tries to maintain order in the mine, she realizes his wish to escape his chains may endanger both his life and her position. If she doesn’t prevent him from fueling the flames of rebellion, her mother will.

Barrenworld: Curse of the Warlord's Chalice by J. Edwards holt

Long ago, an evil wizard rose to power and waged war on mankind. Few were willing to stand against the dark wizard, and those that did, fell. Desperate and determined to save his people, a king named Astilles traveled to a realm called Barrenworld, where he found the Warlord’s Chalice, an ancient cup said to give infinite power to those who drink from it. Believing himself to have no other choice, Astilles drank from the chalice and gained the strength to defeat his enemies — but that strength came at a great cost, as the chalice only granted it in exchange for eternal servitude. Eventually, the story of Astilles faded into legend, until centuries later the chalice would return to claim its next victim.

Ever the Night Road by Michael Breen

This is a fantasy. Of a City of water and glass. Of drowned things and lost memories lying just below its surface. Of concrete slums, and a decaying Oracle Tower. And a deep underground. It is the story of Dagny Losh, a seventeen-year-old misfit raised by the wealthy Benzara family after her tenement home is washed away in a flood. Dagny lives in a fantastical Dark Age; the Regime of Man has long passed, leaving behind relics and remnants reclaimed by nature. But, while the world has devolved technologically, a subtle type of magic still exists in forgotten, abandoned places. After discovering a fragment from her old life, Dagny and an array of companions undertake a high-stakes quest guided by the stars and ancient myth, encountering danger from both criminal and supernatural forces. Along the way, Dagny will discover the bonds of true friendship, young love and the depths of her own bravery in a brutal and enchanting world.

The Dragon's Tongue by C.J. Brightley

While hiding with Lord Owen, the Fae, and the human resistance, Aria is forced to question everything she thought she understood. What are the Fae? Who is Aria herself? More than refuge, Aria needs answers. Despite the appeal of Dr. Bartok’s talk of grace, the Empire’s darkness threatens to overwhelm Aria as she wrestles with questions of sin, justice, and love. Colonel Grenidor has his own questions as he makes a new powerful ally. How much can Edwin really be trusted? And what of the Slavemaster, who Edwin claims is an ally of the vampires opposing the Empire? Colonel Grenidor’s research on the vampires has grown increasingly dangerous, with consequences for the Fae, the vampires, and the supernatural entities on both sides of the conflict.‘

The Doctrines of Fire by CL Jarvis

SPFBO9

Edinburgh, 1779. An academic rivalry turns deadly. George Stephens is a lousy medical student. Lacking the social and financial resources to succeed in Edinburgh’s elite medical school, his dream of becoming a physician appears over before it began. Then George comes to the attention of two famous professors, William Cullen and Joseph Black. Medical students are dying mysteriously - the professors suspect a disgraced former student is to blame - and they need George’s help uncovering the truth. Believing the partnership will bolster his academic standing, George agrees. Their investigation pulls them into the murkiest, most dangerous corners of Enlightenment Edinburgh. The professors are secret wielders of fire magic, but their foes are courting even darker forces. With violence threatening to erupt, and George struggling to navigate this confusing city, getting justice for the dead will be harder than he imagined. Ninth House meets A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians in this thrilling fantasy debut from CL Jarvis.

Motherhood and Other Magical Realms by Raima Larter

Motherhood can be magical, or it can be trouble. Children, if they come along, can grow up, or not, or even go to the moon. The world is not always what it seems, and salvation can happen in unexpected places—like a copy shop. And sometimes, although not always, there’s a ghost in the cellar.

Panacea by Alex Robins

SPFBO9

At the heart of every legend lies a truth. Twisted and reshaped by the currents of time. For twenty years, strategos Dexios has led the phalanx of Thena against its enemies, pulled from one battleground to another in a relentless cycle of war and bloodshed. Now, finally, he has found the courage to leave that life behind. To relinquish his officer’s sword and return to the verdant slopes of his vineyard with his wife and son. Peace, however, is fragile and capricious. When Thena’s northern allies bring word of an enormous tauran horde gathering on their borders, Dexios has no choice but to answer the call to arms one last time. As humans and tauros collide, another evil wakes. Whispered rumours of a clawed creature that stalks the shadowy streets. Of violent murders committed in the name of deities long thought vanquished. To speak their names is heresy. They are the Exiled. The Banished. The Ruined Gods.