Birthright of Scars: Rising by Laurisa Brandt "The problem with a dead legend, is that there's always the threat of him resurrecting. And anytime he does will be inconvenient for those in power."â¨The Tourmaline Renegade rises in this epic new series.â¨â¨Falling in love with his bounty hunter was never part of the plan. After the Kobalt empire spent decades suppressing Pyron culture, Emperor Cinnabar designed the walled Pyron sector with only one purpose: extermination. Disrel of Tourmal has little left except his sister, but he wonât accept death without a fight. When the state mandates that all Pyrons relocate to the walled sector, Disrel does not hesitate to don a mask and replace the capitol flag with one that proclaims Pyron is free. What he didnât count on was a simple act of defiance becoming the symbol of an empire-wide revolution. By the time dawn breaks, a sable commander renowned for catching renegades is on his trail, and Disrel is driven into the center of the resistance against the state. Decorated Sable Commander Ambrosia is ready for the challenge of pulling Pyron resistors off Tourmalâs streets. But the layers of unrest in the capitol go deeper than a masked renegade inciting insurrection, locking her in a deadly dance between conviction and duty, comrades and terroristsâone that requires a flawless loyalty to the state to survive. And the unassumingly charming Disrel keeps getting in her way. Disrel and Ambrosia are thrust into each otherâs pathsâas renegade and sable, as citizens of the empire struggling to survive the upheaval. But as their feelings for each other grow, theyâll have to choose: one love destined to destroy them both, or the fate of an empire?â¨â¨Birthright of Scars: Rising is followed by Birthright of Scars: Choosing |
Rise: Birth of a Revolution by Mark Moore A fragile peace teeters on the brink of collapse; new players threaten the colonial world order in this award-winning debut historical fantasy novel. Damien Flynn is going to die. And itâs going to happen because he finally stood up for whatâs right. After years of observing and taking part in the enduring corruption and oppression of the Ricchan people, Damien Flynnâs conscience wakes. He pushes for the Ricchan right to a vote, for control of their own destiny. He soon learns that bleeding hearts donât make for good politics, exchanging quills for shackles. Former friends and colleagues sentence Damien Flynn to death for treason. With time running out, Damien Flynn only has one chance, one opportunity for survival, and it comes from one of the most unlikely sources. Victoria Montgomery, the reluctant leader of an army composed of little more than ragtag criminals and vagrants, must make a change. And in Damien, she sees the catalyst to bring about the full-scale rebellion her people need to flourish. He is the key to bringing about a legitimate revolution that may have the strength to succeed where past attempts have failed. All she need do is gamble on the unknown, gamble on the strength of Damienâs morals and convictions and hope that sheâs judged him well, less the entire rebellion is forfeit. Victoria and Damien must unite to save Riccha from Braitonâs control. In order for this revolution to succeed, these two seemingly unlikely partners must believe in each other. A tough task when they barely even believe in themselves. Amidst the horrors of war, the cruelties of betrayal, and the unleashed wrath of long-held grievances, the righteousness and convictions of humanity will be tested like never before. Will the courage and resilience of the oppressed be enough to overcome the tyranny of their oppressors? Or will the flames of conflict engulf everything in their path, leaving nothing but destruction in their wake? In this epic tale of struggle and survival, the fate of a world hangs in the balance. Set in a richly imagined world of fantasy and history, this award-winning novel is a gripping tale of revolution, betrayal, and redemption. With its unforgettable characters, thrilling action, and poignant themes, it will captivate readers. Donât miss out on one of the most exciting fresh voices in historical fantasy. Award-winner: 2021 Royal Dragonfly Fiction: New Author 2nd Place: 2022 Storymonster Scifi/Fiction Awards Finalist for the 2019 OZMA Fantasy Fiction awards, Chanticleer International Book Awards |
In the House of Transcendence by Amanda Ross Zora is a necromancer. Some say sheâs gifted, others say sheâs cursed, but her abilities always terrify her. Hoping to start a new life, she flees her childhood home and travels to Savannah, but she soon learns that some things canât be changed. There, she meets an alluring and powerful witch named Birdie. She offers Zora a proposition: sheâll give Zora a place to stay, a job dancing at a magical burlesque club called Nightingaleâs, and help controlling her powers if Zora can solve her loverâs murder. Zora accepts Birdieâs offer and is soon drawn into the magical community of Savannah, where rituals and magical fights are performed in grand old homes, potions can make people float on air, and three magical houses vie for dominance. As she tries to put the pieces together and solve the murder, Zora gets caught in the sight of the very forces responsible for the killing. Can she rise up and learn to control her powers and solve the murder or will her fears cause her to lose it all? |
All the Fragile Hearts by M.T. Solomon All the Fragile Hearts is an adult fantasy novel that combines mystery and politics with unconventional romance tropes. Cecelia, heir to her father's throne, feels like a stranger in her father's court. Driven to uncover the truth behind her mother's identity, Cecelia embarks on a perilous journey across the sea to the kingdom of Korith. Viktor, a formidable Kingsguard, finds himself caught in a complex web of manipulation and duty. Drawn together by fate, Cecelia and Viktor are bound by an unexpected arranged marriage, stirring conflicting emotions within them and exposing their brokenness. Whispers of rebellion spread and a military coup builds in the shadows as Korith is pushed further into chaos by the assassination of the king. Separated, Cecelia and Viktor must navigate the treacherous landscape of deception, testing their loyalty as destiny weaves its threads through every fragile heart. |
Blades of the Ice: Age of Rekindling: A Prequel by Luis Falcao De Magalhaes In a land ruled by patriarchy, an assassin sisterhood delivers justice from the shadows. Now, their mysterious patron has charged burly fighter Erika Langeshen and lithe shadow-stalker Annah Barksdottir with uncovering a plot against the very rulers that have mistreated and oppressed them their whole lives. Their quest will take them to a faraway village on the borders of the Razor Teeth Woods, where they will need to use all the tricks of their trade to build a base of power and expose the machinations of the local lord and his allies. But before they do, they must break into one of the Patriarchate's fortresses and retrieve an unlikely ally⌠Blades of the Ice is the prequel novella to The Daughter of The Ice, the first book in the Legends of Elessia: Age of Rekindling series. Expect a fast-paced sword & sorcery adventure in the style of R.A Salvatore and an homage to the Forgotten Realms fantasy series. Readers and reviewers alike have compared it to The Witcher and The Wheel of Time |
Minutes after 'The Event' destroys London, a group of injured and forgotten are quietly abducted for secret and diabolical purposes. All seen through the eyes of the main character. |
In the Pines by Mariah Stillbrook Two witches, two secrets, and a curse that could tear a family apart. Olivia and Ellie have lived their lives knowing a dark entity is stalking their family, determined to kill them all. After the death of Olivia's son, she abandons her magic and her family, leaving Ellie in a nightmare of heartbreak, her marriage crumbling and her sister gone. Determined to save their mother Arianna from a spell that left her comatose, the two sisters must come together to unravel the riddle of the curse that has haunted their family for generations. But as they delve into the past, the truth they uncover is more twisted and treacherous than they ever could have imagined. Will they be able to break the curse, or will it consume them all? |
Bring Her Home by R.N. Barbosa Forbidden love⌠If Susanaâs sister knew she was dating, sheâd sequester her ass to the tallest tower so fast her head would spin. Her boyfriend is everything Cassandra hates, an Outcast and a biker, and itâs only a matter of time before their clandestine rendezvous blows up in her face. A missing sister⌠Fighting professionally might be Cassandra Dayan's livelihood, but it's her sister that's her life. When she comes home to a wrecked house and a missing sister, her desperate search upsets the brutally maintained balance of the North Californian coast. At any cost⌠Going against the Order is a death sentence, but doing nothing is not an option. Cassandra will find her sister even if it means endangering the lives of everyone who crosses her path or joins her cause. She doesnât care who gets hurt or what promises get broken. All that matters is bringing her sister home. |
Scorched Feathers by Bri Mooney One hell of a bargain. One hell of a fight. Aradia finds herself ensnared in a web of celestial intrigue when she is abducted by a group of self-proclaimed guardiansâthe enigmatic angels. Among them is her forbidden love, Asmodeus, a captivating demon determined to rescue her from their clutches. As Aradia and Asmodeus manage a daring escape, she awakens to a daunting reality: her memories have been ruthlessly erased by the guardians. In a race against time, Aradia grapples with her fragmented past, relentlessly pursuing the truth while clinging to the flickering memories she shares with Asmodeus. In a high-stakes battle against fate itself, Aradia must navigate the treacherous path between love and damnation. Will her relentless efforts defy destiny and avert a nightmarish judgment day? Indulge in the intoxicating blend of dark fantasy and gothic romance that will set your heart ablaze. "Scorched Feathers" is the captivating first installment in the Descent into Hell Series, promising an adrenaline-fueled journey that explores the depths of passion, survival, and the harrowing price of temptation. |
Sweetness Bled and Brindled by S.L. Dove Cooper Jewel has spent his entire life making himself as small and invisible as possible. His healing magic is rare, powerful and dangerous. If he could, heâd spend his days caring for wounded animals or those unable to afford a physician. His older brother, the crown prince, has a far different use in mind for Jewelâs powers, however. He would much rather Jewel use his magic to extract information from captures spies, or simply torment whoever Henry chooses. Briar is here to rob the royal treasury. The youngest prince was little more than a mark, but sheâs grown fond of Jewelâs gentle nature. She doesnât have the heart to tell him that sheâs nowhere near as good as he believes. When tragedy strikes and Henry makes his move, Jewel will finally have to face his brother, or lose himself forever. |
The Beautiful Decay by Veo Corva The sequel to Books and Bone. What do the dead have to fear? Something strange is happening in sleepy subterranean Tombtown. Necromancers are disappearing. The crypt is changing. And crimson fungi are spreading. Usther is seeking purpose, so when the goddess of undying calls on her to investigate an unknown threat to the crypt, she jumps at the chance. She is lost and lonely and determined to do something. Ree is searching for her missing mentor. An archivist and shapeshifter, she knows the crypt better than anyone, but she soon discovers that it is fast becoming unfamiliar to herâand dangerous to everyone she loves. For Tombtown to survive, Usther and Ree will have to face nightmarish mushrooms, self-righteous paladins, and their own traumatic pasts. Because whatever is happening has something to do with the traitorous friend theyâve both been trying to forget for eight years. Chandrian Smythe. |
MOONLIGHT Book I: Dusk by Beau Van Dalen Ilragornâs history never lies. The obedient ones live. The traitors always perish. In daylight, Indigo Sarte is the perfect daughter, a future student of the Healing Arts. In the shadows, he is a master of forbidden alchemy, ruthless and cunning, all in the name of fulfilling his wish for true freedom. Indigoâs sights are set on The Academyâa prestigious establishment where aspiring alchemists are taught to master gifts inherited from their birthrights. But Indigo is recognized as a woman amongst his peers, and The Academyâs rules are clear: Women heal. Men fight. Disobeyâdie. |
How to steal a demon's heart and get away with it by Devi Letalis Dante, a single father and demon hunter, has already completed multiple curious adventures in his life - from the elimination of minor demons to tracking down undead sheep. When he meets bloodthirsty Lariza and her inscrutable companion Layla as part of a new job, he becomes embroiled in a conflict with powerful demons. But the protection of his son has priority, even if he has to go to hell for him. And so a journey into a sphere where millennium old law prevails begins. This gripping urban fantasy novel takes the reader deep into a world where demons and human shadow beings live side by side. A story with plenty of action, tension, and dark humour - where anything is possible. |
The Sweet, the Spooky, & The Terrifying by Rachel Ann Hubert Three short stories for every aspect of Halloween. One sweet. One spooky. And one terrifying. Included in this book: Alone Together (The Sweet): The story of a college student determined to ostracize himself from everyone else around him. When he gets an unwanted guest for the night though, he'll soon see that being invisible isn't all that bad. And that sometimes it's worth stepping outside your comfort zone and shushing that negative voice inside your head. The Monster Within (The Spooky): Jules is starting over in a new town, new house, new everything. But this town isn't all it seems. While she tries to start fresh, memories from her previous life start trickling in. What is she running away from? And what is running away from her... The Ouroboros (The Terrifying): It started as a tickle. A tickle that became an itch. And itch at the back of his throat that not only could he not ignore...but that he could not escape |
A Ritual of Bone by Lee C. Conley 'Only valour and steel can stand against the rising dead' Arnar is a land of warriors, its people as stalwart as the stones themselves. In a land of dark forests and ancient hill forts, a forgotten evil is awoken by curious minds. The Great Histories and the Sagas say nothing of this evil, long passed from the memory of even the studious scholars of the College. For centuries, the scholars of Arnar have kept these records and preserved the knowledge and great deeds of a proud people. The story of these peoples forever chronicled in the Sagas of the Great Histories. But now the evil spreads and the dead walk in its wake, terrible creatures roam the night and even the spirits are restless. The Dead Sagas could perhaps be the final chapters of these great records. Many threads entwine to tell this Saga, interweaving the tales of those who played their part in the search for answers and ultimately their fight for survival. Amid plague, invasion and terror, the inexorable rise of the dead sends a kingdom scrabbling to its knees. This dark fantasy epic combines dark malign horror and gritty survival adventure as the Dead Sagas unfold in a world where honour and renown is all, where beasts and savages lurk in the wilderness, and where sword, axe and shield is all that stands between the living and the grasping hands of the dead. |
Ardent Tears: Awakening by Ren Carlisle On the verge of Awakening, Rowan is taken from her family by slavers intent on forging her into a weapon. Why? She doesn't know. She doesn't care. All that matters is freedom, vengeance, and reunion. In this world of harmony and dissonance, where Resonance and emotions reign supreme, Rowan must learn what it means to be an Ardent before it's too late. She must find unity and purpose. She must not break. She cannot do it alone. Who will be there for her? |
The Girl on the Red Pillow by Angelika Rust An average abusive childhood, a tendency towards depression. Annaleeâs life could be normal. If only she could get rid of the dwarf. Annalee doesnât mind what people call her. After all, a nameâs just a name. What she does mind, though, is the dwarf trying to wall her in. Struggling between reality and hallucination, a black cat and a talking skeleton her only companions along the way, Annalee fights for her sanity, and a way out. |
Meshkwadoon: Book 2 by Alex Tilley The offering. Nightmares and scars remain the only fragments of a Summer veiled by death. As Autumn dawns, Natasha and Yuuta are left to fend for their sanity in a world that pulls them back to their demanded destiny. Shattered fragments are forced together in this tale as the search for a missing little girl brings the world of the living to the crossing of the spirit. In this twisted continuation of the story of Meshkwadoon, there is no escape from the monsters whose exaltations are through the offerings of the flesh |
Hesper; The Artefact Series by Obasi Naomi Disfigured, and despised by everyone she knew, Jolene always believed fate was against her. That was until Lord Aiken, whose appearance changed her life for the better. At a point she began to think that perhaps, fate was finally on her side. Alas, it was all a lie. But in the deepest moments of her despair, the universe bestowed upon her strange powers in the form of an artefact, an object rumored to be capable of destroying the whole world. Jolene however, would rather take revenge on those who had hurt her, even if it meant fighting fate itself. |
Danny's Revenge by Henry Spector M. Over 20 years ago⌠A little human boy named Danny was brutally murdered by his own father, A priest, for unknown reasons. Danny's soul seemingly got lost and ended up in Hell. Danny stumbled into the Gluttonous Realm ruled by Vram, The Descendant of Gluttony. Vram has a soft spot for little ones, and he pleaded with the ruler of hell, Darklord, to let him take in the young boy as his own son. Darklord surprisingly agreed. Danny is now a grown man, but it is becoming apparent that he is more than just a plain old human. Danny is still very much like the quiet boy he first was, but now he is also vengeful. Danny wishes to enact eternal punishment on his biological father and drag him down to hell. |
Into the Darkbower by M.C. Burnell The Special Office of Uncanny Inquiry exists to protect its congregation from the Beyond, inasmuch as thatâs possible. Esmerelda Mendos has worked her way up through the SOUIâs ranks, all the way to Chief Inquirer; itâs her job to dictate policy and quarrel with the Pope. On the eve of her retirement, she stays up late to review her first case, which remains unsolved. It was an all-star squad; she had to bribe her way on. Under the leadership of the bureauâs most celebrated Inquirer: a Wizard First Class, a decorated Secular Liaison, a band of Hellraisers. The cause for all this fuss, a man who claims to be under the protection of the Elder Ones. Koren is remarkably composed for someone whoâs been arrested. Keen to tell exactly how he came to be friends with a High Court faerie prince. When he escapes, the squad pursues. They can claim it was their duty, and thatâs true. But then again. By the time they understand theyâre never going to learn whether Bashureth is real or whether Koren is the ordinary man he appeared, theyâve fallen off the edge of the world. The only thing that matters is getting home. As one of the lucky ones, Esmerelda has been haunted ever since by the sense that she was permitted to live. Even that canât hold a match to the suspicion that, thirty years later, if she looked into a forest and saw Koren looking back, she would go to him. Aware of the risks. Fully understanding that she wasnât coming back, and what she would be sacrificing. Just to finally know what really happened. This dark fantasy/ horror is a must-read for anyone who loves an unsolved mystery and unreliable narrators. You know from word go you canât take Koren at his word. In the end, do you take Esmerelda at hers? |
When Stars Become Shadows by Emmie Hamilton For the past seven years, Emersyn Jane Merona had been owned by a deadly mob boss and forced to service any lonely soul who found their way to Skarsrowe, a shady port town on the edge of the Baronian Sea. When Syn commits a murder and initiates a daring escape, she finds herself in the arms of her bossâ archrival, the legendary Captain Killian OâDonnell. After seeking refuge on his mysterious ship, Syn soon realizes that she may have traded one form of danger for another. Desperate to regain her freedom, she falls back on all the old tricks she used to survive her indentured servitude. Just when she is ready to give up, a murdered siren changes her fate and the Lord of Lost Souls, Malakai Barron, drags her down into the underworld. Through a deal brokered by someone from her past, Syn now has to try to earn her freedom from not one, but two key players in the dark underworld. Though it seems impossible, opportunity strikes when Malakaiâs missing sirens reappear and Syn is given the chance to investigate. Who is taking the sirens? And why does their song haunt her dreams? As Emersyn uncovers the demons of her past, will the monsters of her future be kept at bay, or will she become another lost soul anchored to the bottom of the sea? Please note: This is an adult dark fantasy intended for 18+ only. Please check for content warnings before purchasing. |
The World As It Should Be by Lee Ann Kostempski Charity Olmstead wants to die. Despite being raised by two of Salem's most beloved psychics, she isnât cut out for life in the new magic-ravaged world. When she meets a kelpie on a riverbank, she believes sheâs found her exit. But the monster is hungry for more than a meal. Sensing Charityâs unawakened magic, he enlists her help in a quest for revenge against the hunters who slaughtered his mate. In return he promises to grant Charity a swift, painless death once their job is done. But as Charity and the kelpie track the hunters to their base, they uncover a terrifying truth: Salemâs deadly history might be about to repeat itself. |
Gold, Lock and Key by E J Doble From grimdark author E J Doble, comes a fairytale with a dark twist... "All it needs, is a bit of tenacity... and three little bears." Goldie, an outlaw and contract hunter of the Baron's State, accepts a new assignment from her employer to find an old cabin in the woods, home to three 'shapeshifters' who can morph into bears. Considered to be little more than a myth, Goldie assumes at first that the shapeshifters are an exaggeration - but with the sizeable bounty her employer is offering, she soon realises there may be more truth in it than she realised. And that isn't the only thing on her mind: she discovers her main rival - a manipulative and incredibly cunning trapper named Southey - has also taken on the contract, and will be contending for the same bounty she so fervently desires. Having waited many long years to have her revenge and outsmart Southey for past mistakes, Goldie sees the new contract as a perfect opportunity to do so. All she has to do is play her cards just right. And kill three bears... |
A Pale Box on the Distant Shore by P.J. Nwosu A silent killer stalks the slum towers of Death City. In the shadow of a drowned death god, a young soldier risks his life to solve a violent crime. To catch a killer, Soldier Honnan Skyin carves a bloody trail over the behemoth bones of a dead giant and through the deepest forest of a frozen island. But some secrets should stay buried. Welcome to Death City. The Red Kingdom is a new series of dark mysteries in fantasy worlds that delve into a land of vicious crimes, strange lore and Purge House zealots. |
Dark Woods, Deep Water by Jelena Dunato In the depths of a remote forest, an enchanted castle preys on unwary travellers. The servants of the Goddess Morana sacrifice to their dark mistress every soul who crosses its threshold . One terrible night, three people who should never have met find themselves trapped there: a spoiled lady escaping an unwanted marriage, an aging warrior-prince on a deadly mission, and a resourceful rogue caught up in a botched heist. As their destinies entwine and the dawn approaches, the solution to the castleâs riddle becomes clear: if they want to escape, one of them must die. A dark fantasy tale inspired by Slavic folklore, Dark Woods, Deep Water is the debut novel by Croatian author Jelena Dunato. Set in an intricately imagined world that staggers the line between fairytale and brutality, this novel will appeal to fans of Katherine Arden and Naomi Novik, as well as lovers of classic Gothic fiction. |
Season of Kings by A.J. Rettger War is upon the land and the throne sits empty. Who will claim it? Elbert of Artanzia finds himself in a precarious position. After stealing the throne from his older brother, he finds himself newly crippled and low on friends. The nobles want to undermine him, while the populace wants to depose him. In a desperate attempt to keep his power, he launches a campaign against the barbarian islanders to the north, something that no king has ever done. In the forest to the south of the capital, lives Anna and her father. While raised in isolation, Anna is taught how to hunt and kill everything that makes its home in the monster-infested forest. However, her quiet life is torn apart when a group of visitors pay her father an unexpected visit. Forced to flee to the capital city, she must find her long-lost aunt, all while fighting to protect herself and socializing with other teenagers for the first time. Grimm White-Eyes, a legendary barbarian warrior and Shield of the Isles, is accused of murdering the Islander High Kingâs brother. With a price on his head, he must flee his homeland and find refuge on the continent. Yet no ship will risk carrying someone of his notoriety. Unable to leave, he is forced to ally himself with the enemy, in hopes that he can continue to live his life as the gods intended, free. |
Primal Fury: Trial of the Berserker by NoĂŤl Traver A hive-like race of brutal abominations. A single warrior who wants nothing more than to become a legendary berserker. Can Orsin survive the brutal, solo Trial, kill one of the greatest threats his people have ever known, and emerge as the favoured warrior of his god? Orsin wants nothing more than to pass The Trial and become a berserker. But to do that he must travel into the wilderness, completely alone, and do battle with the abominations that live in the tundraâa strange, constantly mutating species known only as the Herd. But when Orsin makes his way into that icy desert not everything is as he has been told it would be. The Herd beasts donât all act as he expects. Something strange is going on. The ancient enemy of his people is changing, evolving in new and dangerous ways. They are growing more canny and more deadly. But why? As Orsin delves deeper and deeper into enemy territory, he slowly begins to discover new facets to old dangers, challenges that will threaten not only his life but also his sanity and possibly, his very soul. Can he slaughter enough enemies to pass his Trial, make it back alive, and become the legendary warrior he knows he can be? Trial of the Berserker is the first book in the Primal Fury epic fantasy series. If you like brutal and bloody action, feats of great personal strength and fortitude, and high-stakes combat, then youâll love this debut page-turner! |
Pale Night, Red Fields by Joseph John Lee The threads of fate are not so easily unwoven. There is a growing fascination among the Dusk Tribe with the land of the dead. The Tribe's shamans work tirelessly day and night to find a path to communion with their people's lost souls, but answers are slow to uncover. As both the son of a shaman and the Tribe's only Futureseer, Zarrow is ordered to view the days and weeks ahead to reveal the source of the Tribe's successful discovery, but when he does so, he finds not celebration, but destruction. Devastation. Sacrifice. And those closest to him bloodied by it all. Zarrow must find a way to prevent his visions from coming to pass, and he must do so quickly. For the pale night approaches, and it promises a curse that may leave the Dusk Tribe forever haunted. |
The Annals of Skorne by Joshua Killingsworth I am the champion of the hated â the embodiment of scorn. Through the abyss of the veil lies knowledge beyond imagination. Steam powered mechanisms, flying vessels, and medical marvels flood Baldricâs mind. The banished prince is joined by his beloved, and the information they obtain could revolutionize humanity and bring forth a new age. If only they possessed the means to make it a reality. The sole hope of forging the new age requires his submission to the Guardian who has spent the last ten thousand years maintaining stability with an iron fist. Following the Guardianâs massacre of the Koroks, the world erupts into chaos as nations rebel against his authority. It is a fruitless effort as the Guardian possesses overwhelming numbers. The only hope for survival lies in the resolve of the banished prince who maneuvers his way into the Guardianâs top echelon. Baldric must peer further into the abyss, if he is to prevent another massacre and forge the new age. |
The Bearer of the Seed by Joshua Killingsworth The only constant is that humanity will always repeat the worst of its atrocities. The Guardian of the Three Realms declared Shagin the enemy of humanity and attempted to purge them from existence. Those who survived fled and have remained in hiding ever since. Kari, the only known remaining Shagin, has been crowned empress of Xiang. The Guardianâs hatred of her people runs deep, and every breath she takes is a crime against his rule. â To shield her from the Guardianâs wrath, a group of elite Shagin warriors known as the Furies offers her shelter in the ruins of their civilization. They plan to save what remains of their people and rebuild their once-proud nation. Only the Guardian stands in their way. Kari is the key that will lead him to Shaginâs sanctuary, and allow him to complete the purge. Tracked by the Guardianâs hunters, Kari must elude their vicious traps if she hopes to save her people. However, justice and vengeance intertwine, and her resulting anger risks destroying more than it saves. |
The Songstress by Joshua Killingsworth Spreading her wings wide enough may break the songstress free⌠unless her captors manage to clip away her very spirit first. Seventeen-year-old Kari, now exiled from her people, spends her days singing in the teahouse and her nights huddled with Suying, a younger girl she has taken under her wing. But when Kariâs songs draw the attention of the empire, both girls are abducted and forced to become royal concubines to the Imperial Brothers of Xiang. Their compliance means a life of subjugation, but any form of disobedience is meet with brutality and death. After an abated escape attempt where Kari once again sacrifices herself to keep Suying safe, the songstress helplessly watches as the sister of her heart begins to embrace the harem, zealously cleaving to her new life. Determined to find a way to save the brainwashed girl from despair while fending off the desires of the emperors, Kari must dig deep inside herself for the will to keep hope alive while doing whatever it takes to break them free from the gilded cage in which theyâve found themselves. Every song Kari sings stirs emotions, and, with the right magic, she knows sheâs capable of intensifying those feelings into a weapon without form. With only her wits and the mystic techniques she learned as a child, the songstress will fight to her last breath against the soul-destroying submission her sister willingly surrendered toâeven if Kariâs resistance ultimately means her own death. |
The Pyres of Vengeance by N.C. Koussis Game of Thrones meets The Witcher in this epic grimdark fantasy where no one is safe. After losing everything she knew, Selene struggles to keep hope alive. Terrifying threats from the capital test her in ways she never thought possible. Richter can't destroy himself or the corruption that lives in his body. He won't let anything stop him from his mission, though - to kill every other werewolf on the Continent. The Order of the Golden Sword cares not for the laws of men. Theyâll do anything to wipe the lycanthrope haven of Palerme from existence. But no one has ever faced an army of werewolves before. |
Elegy of a Fragmented Vineyard: Paladins of the Harvest Book 1 by Kaden Love The beginning of a new fantasy epoch from debut author, Kaden Love. Forced to appease the policies of a foreign fiefdom, Phenmir must do the harvest organs from infants. Ten years ago, a new generation of children began to manifest abilities from the gods. Now, nearly half of the continent has chosen to graft these organs into adults, granting them their powers. Phenmir will no longer participate, but can he repent his sin before all morality is lost? Meanwhile, Aerhee will give all to preserve the process of harvesting, silencing those who oppose her people Will this land of peace resort to the barbaric practice of war? In a battle of preservation and progression, there can only be one victor. |
Whispers of a World Breaker by Corey Ratliff Aricâs job is simple; assist the elves as they moved dragon eggs across the kingdom. When an orc raid leaves a dragon in peril and her egg vulnerable, the responsibility falls into Aricâs hands to complete the mission. But when the dragon hatches, Aricâs life is thrown into disarray. Accused of being the world breaker of an old prophecy by the elves, sought after by the ever-growing orc clans as vengeance against the elves, and desired by the human kings and queens for power, Aric will stop at nothing to protect his new dragon. It may be the only thing that can turn the tides of the war. Can Aric fight fate and save the world, or is he destined by the whispers of a world breaker? |
Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang Magic has made the city of Tiran an industrial utopia, but magic has a costâand the collectors have come calling. An orphan since the age of four, Sciona has always had more to prove than her fellow students. For twenty years, she has devoted every waking moment to the study of magic, fueled by a mad desire to achieve the impossible: to be the first woman ever admitted to the High Magistry. When she finally claws her way up the ranks to become a highmage, however, she finds that her challenges have just begun. Her new colleagues will stop at nothing to let her know she is unwelcome, beginning with giving her a janitor instead of a qualified lab assistant. What neither Sciona nor her peers realize is that her taciturn assistant was once more than a janitor; before he mopped floors for the mages, Thomil was a nomadic hunter from beyond Tiranâs magical barrier. Ten years have passed since he survived the perilous crossing that killed his family. But working for a highmage, he sees the opportunity to finally understand the forces that decimated his tribe, drove him from his homeland, and keep the Tiranish in power. Through their fractious relationship, mage and outsider uncover an ancient secret that could change the course of magic foreverâif it doesnât get them killed first. Sciona has defined her life by the pursuit of truth, but how much is one truth worth with the fate of civilization in the balance? A standalone dark academia brimming with mystery, tragedy, and the damning echoes of the past. For fans of Leigh Bardugo, V. E. Schwab, and Fullmetal Alchemist. (Content warnings for gore, sexual assault, and suicidal ideation) |
Promise of Fire by Raina Nightingale A HOPELESS FIGHT. A HORROR WORSE THAN DEATH. WERE-DRAGONS BORN FROM THE PROMISE OF FIRE. The last stand of the Dragonrider-mages is over. The people they fought to protect have been slain and enslaved, and their own numbers have been culled in accident and battle. Every death has added to the power of the Wizard-King, and their doom seems inevitable. But a glimmer of hope has fanned the gloom into a flame, and despair is fuel for the fire. All seems lost, but the human Laisly and the dragon Caldera have slain a death-bound dragon, and suddenly their way is clear. They may all be slain and enslaved, but they must journey into the heart of Eltaes, homeland of the Wizard-King, and give all they have to kill him. It is their last chance. Is the triumph over fear victory enough? |
Bringer of the Scourge by M. Daniel McDowell When the end of ages comes for the empire, the princess must rescue herself. Vierrelyne du Talorr, the last living daughter of the tyrant king, waits locked in a tower cell for the prophesied apocalypse only she can prevent. An army of three brittle allegiances, united under a rival prince, aims for the throne and lays siege to the castle in search of the princess and the fabled weaponry of the empire. With the aid of her mentor in music and swords, and a desperate cultist sent to find her before the mercenaries do, Vierrelyne steals that formidable ancient weapon from her family crypt: a holy suit of armor and a diadem infused with the soul of a demon prince--the Bringer of the Scourge. With it, Vierrelyne discovers an unstoppable power, but the demon within is corrosive, hungry, and dangerously persuasive. Vierrelyne is haunted by what it means to tame this power bequeathed to her, and by what means she might conquer it. When that rival prince finds her, it will take all the strength she can muster, for, if the prophecy she dreads is true, the very weapons she wields might destroy everything she holds dear. |
Servant of a Pale Sword by Tim Akers A lone pilgrim travels to the Temple of Absolution to free himself from a great sin. But when the priests of the temple cut too deep, Lohit Maast is left with no memory of who is or what burden he sought to escape. Among his things is a strange and powerful sword, its blade forge from materea, the very bones of the world. Is he a thief? An assassin? The hero of some great campaign? Or is he something far more dangerous... |
Veil Us in Gold by Shepard DiStasio Find a weapon lost to myth, and Drake can save the world. Find a creature lost to war, and they can save themself. Drake ElĂ˝nus was never supposed to be in TÄrÄmen. They were never supposed to be working for TÄrÄmenâs royal family. They were never supposed to do the things theyâve done. But Drake hasnât stood a chance since the day their home was burned to the ground, the boy they loved was executed in front of them, and wayward magic cast them into a life of lonely immortality far from anything theyâd ever known. All they have is revenge. But when the culmination of their efforts backfires into a death sentence, their only hope is to make a deal with the very queen they tried to ruin. The world around Drake is unraveling. Whispers of ancient monsters bubble beneath the surface. Fights escalate on the borders of a country that has not been its own in fifty years. Treaties are no longer worth any more than the blood they were written in. And a mysterious general they all call the âWhite Roseâ is apparently the face of it all. With the gilded gold of society finally peeling, Drake might have a chance to escapeâbut only if they confront who they were truly supposed to be. The first book of the Sins of the Divine series and DiStasio's debut, Veil Us in Gold explores what it means to be good, the secrets people will do anything to keep hidden, and the monsters that prowl not only in shadows, but inside hearts as well. |
The Modern Mythos Anomaly by Juniper Lake Fitzgerald "Memory's haunt conjures the most arrant of ghosts..." Python is a drifter, a vampire living his eternal life on the road and liking it that way. Beholden to nothing and certainly to no one. But such a lifestyle doesnât come without creating enemies. Most notably, a pesky vampire hunter he cant seem to shake. When he stumbles upon a seemingly abandoned cabin the woods, Python sees the perfect escape and a place to hide. But what he didnât expect was for someone to be home⌠When recluse warlock Calystoâs peaceful life is upended by the arrival of a chaotic disaster in the form of a loudmouthed vampire, he and his teleporting house become the target of the hunter, too. Calysto knows itâs all Pythonâs fault that heâs in this mess. That is, until Calysto makes a mistake, and in his hurry to flee transports them over one hundred years into the past. Confronted with lives they both had hoped to forget, not to mention the memories they most definitely did, Calysto and Python must try to put aside their many differences and increasingly complicated feelings to learn to work together. Or else they risk being stuck in the past -- and with each other -- forever. This is an adult book with themes that are not suitable for minors. Content warnings are included before the title page, available for view within the sample. |
The Sun Prince by L. R. Schulz THE BONDS OF KIN MUST HOLD The King-Radiant has fallen. Zapour has been liberated and the siblings triumphant, but at what cost? Two years have passed since their victory over the Eagles. Peace between the nations has not gone as planned. Gelvard has seized control of Lumindal and a cloud of war now surrounds Trost. The sun is dying⌠A new power has risen from the west. A man who calls himself the Sun Prince has his eyes set firmly on Zapour. But is he friend or foe? The bonds of kin will be tested as new threats arise, though not all threats are new. An ancient evil awakens, and new bonds must be forged if light is to shine another day. |