SPFBO9 SPFBO Participants
Books entered in the competition of SPFBO beginning May 2023.
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Master of the Void by Wend Raven In the Seven Lands, magic is everything. So what happens when youâre the only person who has none? Nothing matters more to Derrius Mendi than forging a better life for his family by pursuing a formal magical education at the University, something his parents have sacrificed what little they had to make possible. When disaster strikes on the eve of his thirteenth birth momentâthe day he was to receive his magical gift from the Starsâwill he choose perseverance or bitterness as he struggles against a society that would rather forget he exists than help him succeed? As the third son of an archmage, Orimund Laetus has spent his life living up to the expectations of others. When his testing goes horribly wrong, he must decide who he truly is when his carefully crafted upbringing is rendered useless. Setting off on an epic adventure of self-discovery, Orimund must find his place in the world before a looming evil destroys everything he holds dear. From swashbuckling sea voyages and magical heists to unlikely friendships and budding romances, Master of the Void is a sweeping coming-of-age journey that follows a cast of misfit friends through times of heartbreak, fear, joy, laughter, failure, and triumph. |
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The Sword of Mercy and Wrath by N.C. Koussis In a cathedral at the south of the Istryan Empire, young men and women are trained to be killers. The Order of the Golden Swordâs inquisitors are feared for their brutality masked as piety. Masters of blade, poison, and crossbow, their quarry is the god-cursed werewolf, whom they hunt with impunity to herald the return of their god. Betrayed by her monstrous father, Selene loses her left arm and nearly her life when sheâs saved by a traveling inquisitor. Scarred and broken, she swears vengeance on the cursed beasts and joins the Order. It takes all her will to overcome her limits, only for her violent past to drag her back into blood. With the fabric of the empire at stake, Selene must master her hatred, hone it to a sharp point, then let it loose on her enemies. |
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The Diamond Device by M. H. Thaung After diamond power promises to replace steam, an unemployed labourer and a thieving noble unite to foil an international plot and avert a war. Alf Wilson resents the new technology that cost him his factory job, especially as his clockwork leg bars him from army enrolment. He darenât confess his unemployment to his overbearing mother. Desperate over the rent, he ends up in a detention cell with a hangover. Impoverished Lord Richard Hayes maintains his expensive parliamentary seat by a mixture of charm and burglary. During a poorly planned break-in, he inadvertently witnesses a kidnapping. To cap it all, the police arrest him for the crime. At least he's using a fake identity. The real criminals make off with not just the professor who discovered diamond power, but her plans for a diamond-fuelled bomb. When Rich encounters Alf in the neighbouring cell, he sees an opportunity to keep his noble reputation intact. He persuades Alf he's a secret agent who needs an assistant. This chance association will take them to the oddest locations. But law-abiding Alfâs first assignment? Break Rich out of jail. |
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River in the Galaxy by Natalie Kelda When Merlon's parents disappeared, his world fell apart. When his best friend died, he lost the ability to enjoy life. For Captain Merlon Ricosta, Lanier's death, two years prior, feels like yesterday. But when a map from his parents is discovered, he decides to push aside his grief to get closure and follow the route they vanished along eighteen years ago. Despite political trouble, Merlon leads his crew into the unknowns of strange galaxies in his quest to find out why his parents never returned. In River in the Galaxy Merlon fights to keep his crew alive and suppress his prolonged grief and depression. But he must face his own struggles in order to protect the ship and the people aboard. |
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Mystery. Mayhem. Monsters. Murder. The Grey Waste stretches on vast and infinite, into the unforgiving reaches of the east. Clans of monstrous reavers prowl the wasteland, hunting, harrying, and slaughtering any they encounter. But reavers arenât the worst the Grey Waste has to offer. Sir Luther Slythe Krait is a knight errant on a quest. He's vowed to locate the lost scion of a fallen dynasty, and reunite him with his last remaining kin. But the lost scion was last seen beyond the far reaches of the Grey Waste. Can Sir Luther survive the trek across the wasteland? Will he survive the endless attacks by reavers and worse? How will he find this last scion when those around him begin falling one by one, victims to a murderer who may be more than he seems? |
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Strangers in the High City by J.E. Cabrera Dwarf Gladiators. Elven Holy Warriors. Men and women powered by the gods themselves. These are the kinds of characters you will fall in love with in Strangers in the High City. The Lunar Gods have abandoned their children. In their absence the world has grown cold. The Covenant, a nation that was meant to unite Elves, Dwarves and Humankind, is broken. The dwarves are forced to endlessly produce resources to support The Covenantâs unending hunger for expansion. The Covenantâs caste system continues to divide its once proud human citizens. The elves have grown disinterested in the toils of the humans choosing instead to live in their own lands. Itâs all coming to a boiling point where there is no turning back. Follow the strangers that inhabit this land as they fight for a place in it⌠Gareth Stormkin a farm boy in search of adventure. Little does he know it will soon find him at a great price. Auric Redbeard a dwarf that has finally earned his place as a citizen of The Covenant. Ruxson a stable hand on a mad quest for revenge. This tale is for the fantasy lover, the reader looking for characters to fall in love with and worlds to discover. |
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Sela Glaser is hurrying to one of her many temp jobs when she nearly runs over a talking cat named Sable. He reveals that Sela is a soon-to-be witch and heâs going to be her familiar. For a twenty-seven-year-old failed artist with heaps of student debt and no career prospects, this is pretty ground-breaking news. As Sable prepares Sela for her Nascent Eve, a witchâs ritual initiation, she finds herself dreaming of witches sheâs never met before. Then, Sela meets what very well might be the man of her dreams, or at least the one to save her from an endless purgatory of dating appsâŚif only she didnât have to hide her witchy destiny from him. But when Selaâs Nascent Eve goes awry, she and Sable learn that unseen magic from her past is starting to wreak havoc on her already chaotic present, putting that witchy destiny of hers in jeopardy. Sela has to figure out how to control her powers before things get worse, but a visit home reveals that fixing the past might be much more complicated than Sela or Sable realize. And when the witches from Selaâs dreams begin to appear in real life, questions arise about exactly what kind of witch this frazzled millennial really is. All of this would be a hell of a lot easier to deal with if Sela didnât have a magical stalker interrupting all of her most romantic dates, and if her familiarâs ice cream addiction wasnât driving her further into debt. But whatâs a witch to do? |
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A Thing Immortal by Barry K Gregory Someday the mountain man will kill her and then she'll be free. That's what the girl without a name believes. Right up until the day the old gunfighter with eyes the color of wildflowers and skin as white as his long, scraggly hair comes riding up on a painted horse. Riding right past the wards carved into the trees and all the way to the door of the mountain man's shack... An immortal gunslinger, a wolf made of shadows, a manhunter cursed by a ghost, a warrior who flies on stolen wings, and a mysterious girl without a name, battle ancient gods and monsters from the void in an American West that never was. |
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Endless Seas: Never Meet Your Idols by John Champaign Captain Joseph Baxtor and his crew on the sailing ship Phoenix cross dimensions through underwater portals on behalf of 'The Pantheon', a collection of cultures each led by their own created god. On their maiden voyage, they are sent to establish diplomatic relations with the El-Fax, a recently discovered, friendly culture. Rather than being the routine voyage expected, everything may not be as it first appears. |
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The Price of Power by Michael Michel Prince Barodane could not hold back the darkness. Not even in himself. He laid an innocent city in its grave and then died a hero. In his absence, war whispers across the land. Power-hungry highborn dispatch spies and assassins to the shadows as they maneuver for the throne, while an even greater threat rises in the South. Monsters and cultists flock to the banners of a mad prophet determined to control realityâŚand then shatter it. Destiny stalks three to the brink of oblivion. A dead prince that isnât actually dead. Barodane buried his shameful past in a stupor of drugs, drink, and crime, and now, heâd rather watch the world fall apart than wear a crown again. An orphan with heroâs blood who is forced to make a harrowing choice: betray her country or sacrifice her first love. And a powerful seer who has no choice at allâher grandson must die. If any of them fails to pay the price⌠The cost will be the worldâs complete annihilation. "This book feels like a worthy successor to some of the greats of fiction, including Malazan, A Song of Ice and Fire, and Wheel of Time." - Andy Peloquin, Amazon #1 bestseller of the Darkblade series. |
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Delusions & Dragons by SC Gowland Romancing the Stone meets Jumanji. Tasha Stone is on the verge of her dream promotion and a better life, but thereâs one thing holding her back: her husband. Gary Stone thinks heâs got it all, including a perfect marriage. Heâs a modern man, a king of video games, scared of nothing, all from the comfort of his sofa. When Gary forgets Tashaâs birthday, two mysterious shopkeepers offer him a lifeline: a magical gem necklace. But when the necklace cracks, an ancient magic transports Tasha and Gary to the mystical world of Pavia and right into the clutches of the evil queen, Cadence Moonfall. Can the two hapless strangers survive the perils of this strange world to find a way home? Can they fight separation, monsters, and romantic adversaries to find a way back to each other? After all, without love there is no magic⌠|
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Liath Luachra: The Raiders by Brian O'Sullivan A gripping adventure in Ancient Ireland! As winter draws to a close, a troubled woman warrior's cold seclusion is disrupted by a desperate plea for help. Raising a warband to liberate a comradeâs kidnapped sister however, she quickly discovers this âsimpleâ rescue is far more perilous than she could have imagined. Traversing the wilderness of ancient Ireland, in pursuit of an enigmatic raiding party, she encounters old enemies who seek to undermine her, new allies who cannot be trusted, and harrowing secrets relating to her own past that threaten to undermine her leadership. Confronted by horrors sheâd thought long forgotten, Liath Luachra must revert to the very worst part of herself to survive. But in the wilderness of the âGreat Wildâ, even the best laid schemes rarely go as planned. And the southern forests hide threats far more lethal than raiders. This book includes the complete adventure contained in Liath Luachra: The Seeking and Liath Luachra: The Metal Men. |
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If Light Above by Lily Anne Crow The kingdom's only hopes are a wounded soldier, a dead-beat noble, and a killer. Osmund Benwickery, former captain general in the kingâs army, burdened by a useless left arm and a dwindling sense of self-worth, has been hired for the most important job of his life. The young queen is dead, the newborn prince is missing, and the king has narrowly survived assassination. Osmund must solve the treacherous plot before either the infant prince is lost forever or the kingâs assassins return - and succeed. Phrai, a hired blade with a bloody reputation, wants nothing more than to numb the pain of the past. Tamrion Kinto, an idealistic young nobleman with a clever tongue, canât seem to stay out of trouble. When their paths intertwine, Phrai and Tamrion find themselves dragged into dangerous complications that will change the way they view the world, themselves, and each other. Shinowyn Alva, castle seamstress and dressmaker to the late queen, slips among the shadows, watching the deadly game of power unfolding in the capital city. But what secrets does Shinowyn hide behind her peculiar smile and mismatched eyes? Is she simply another pawn, or will she have the nerve to play? The game is conspiracy and the pieces are set. As Fate weaves these four lives together, events unfold that will threaten their kingdom and challenge their very beliefs. Can they put aside their differences and band together long enough to hold back the darkness? If Light Above is the compelling first fantasy novel in Lily Anne Crow's series A War of Whispers. |
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The Exile of Zanzibar by Daniel Maidman Claire built a device to fold space and time. It had a flaw...  When the smoke clears, she finds herself halfway across the world, thousands of years in the past, and no device in sight.  In bronze-age Florence, war has lasted for generations. All Claire wants to do is get home, but she'll need help from the locals. She wins an ally in Marcus Diophantus, a pickpocket turned soldier turned general, who hopes to turn into something more than just her champion. Together, they broker peace between Florence and its enemy.  If Marcus is going to help Claire, he'll have to survive. Peace has upset the balance of power in the capital city. The king stands increasingly alone against: the Constantines, a commercial enterprise as much as a clan, who aim to profit from peace as they have from war -- the warrior nobles, descended from the founders of Florence and quick to turn against a weak throne - and Reburrus, the high priest of Florence, convinced Claire answers to hostile foreign gods. As the city comes to a boil, Claire and Marcus - and Marcus's formidable army - will have to decide where their allegiance lies.  Claire becomes a reluctant participant in a savage campaign. While Marcus leads the battles, she tries to gain control of the unimaginably powerful Ctesiphôn - a ghost tower in the heart of Florence, shrouded in magic and myth. |
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Battle for Neverland: Countdown by A.E. Dinsmoor When Wendyâs urgent letter arrives in Neverland, Peter Pan flies to London in search of his old friend. There, he finds the upstairs nursery window locked and another girl living there: Kate Williams. But Kate has her own problem: in just a few days, her family will lose their home. The only way to save it is to uncover the secret hidden in the old nursery. Desperate to help her family, she joins Peter in Neverland to search for Wendy Darling. A deadly mistake, however, plunges Kate into an epic struggle, and the stakes couldnât be higher. Peter Pan is wounded, Wendy is missing, and a notorious pirate is about to get his revenge. Fixing her mistake could cost her everything, and time is running out. |
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The Gardens of Ash by Sarah Cline The world of Azadia smolders in restless isolation, molten rivers splitting the earth, and curtains of ash dripping from a scarlet sky. The followers of Alrya - an empire that spans many worlds - believe Azadia to be the hell their faith condemns, but to Draden and his family, it is merely home. Once a feared warlord, Draden now wishes only to maintain a fragile peace in his corner of Azadia. But Draden's contentment ends swiftly when a Tear - a passageway between worlds - splits open in his kingdom, and a stranger comes tumbling through with the fury of Alrya licking at his heels. Draden decides to take the young man in, but Vessels - eerie creatures that appear to be women, wreathed in flowering overgrowth and puppeted by an unknown force - pursue Jak into Draden's kingdom, Lucia. The ensuing battle forces Draden to acknowledge that, as much as he hates to admit it, he can't face this threat alone. As a new war breaks forth from an ancient rivalry, Alrya fights to appease a god that has fallen silent, while the rulers of Azadia form an uneasy alliance against the waves of Alryan forces closing in on them from distant worlds. But even as these tentative new allies help Draden resist invasion, the conflict draws out Draden's own struggles with restless memories and the temptations of power. Meanwhile, Jak, now fleeing Alrya's endless war, seeks a new Tear in hopes that it will lead him to a place where he will be left in peace to study the stars. But his budding feelings for Edim and Tlia, companions met in his travels, and the revelation of his fascinating gift for Blood Craft, a forbidden magic of Azadia, complicate Jak's desire to leave the war-wracked world. Together with Sarien, a famous hero who has put her own adventures on hold to help her half-brother defend Lucia, and Epomina, a mercenary seeking the elusive magic of Storm Craft in a world where strength is all that stands between her and a bloody end, Draden and his allies make their stand. The Gardens of Ash is the first entry in an epic of gothic fantasy. |
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The Spider's Friend by M.C. Burnell Last week, he didnât know he had a family. Now heâs trying to save the world from them. Wrapped around an inland sea, Dhashere is a broad land of fecund coastal woodlands, rocky heights, and arid grasslands called home by more than humans; there are sapient species styled elemental peoples inhabiting its seas, its skies, even underneath its streets. Peacefully, it used to be. Now, the Premier is failing, and that shouldnât be a problem. Rulership is shared with four senates, and he has children to succeed him. But there may be too many. Maru was raised in isolation in a monastery, convinced he was a foundling. Then a glamorous foreign magician appears. He claims to be an emissary of Maruâs father, none other than the Premier, who has sent this trusted intimate to fetch his secret son home to the capital. A more cynical person might wonder if thereâs a catch, and a more cynical person would be correct: Jaalen was hired by a shadowy contingent keen to pit their own candidate against his fatherâs legitimate children. It's not as simple as deciding whether heâs willing to vie for the throne. An army of bovine zealots gathers at the border, ready to invade, and someone is murdering elemental shamans by means as malignant as they are mysterious. Thereâs no question itâs one of Maruâs siblings, but he doesnât know which and now heâs in their custody. Did anyone mention there are ten of them? The only person he trusts is the lying magician who tricked him into getting involved. And if he wants the help of Dhashereâs most infamous witch-for-hire, heâll need to start by saving him. The Spiderâs Friend is a thrilling, twist-filled adventure, a palace intrigue with less palace and more battling-giant-jellyfish. A must-read for anyone interested in novel second worlds, it has mole-people and a city made of waterfalls; one of the narrative characters is an ambulatory plant. Ready to separate the liars from true friends? Plunge into the decaying chaos of the Dhashereen Dominion! |
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The Return of Abaddon by Peter Mooren THE RETURN OF ABADDON won FIRST PLACE in three different categories (Fantasy, Magical Realism, and Metaphysical Fantasy) in the Speak Up Talk Radio 2022 FIREBIRD BOOK AWARDS! Wilderâs epic journey began at what almost was the end. Sprawled out on the ground in disbelief and staring at the burning wreckage of the helicopter, he sees his motherâs lifeless eyes staring back at him. As he lies there grief-stricken, something strange happens. Wilder suddenly finds himself somewhere else, lying in a dirt circle surrounded by large stone pillars. No longer on Earth, heâs told of a prophecy that changes everything. Abaddon, an ancient being who came to conquer this world 2,000 years earlier, was defeated and driven back to his home by the mighty phoenixes. But heâs back once again, and Wilder is Hiraethâs only hope. A pair with unique magic will befriend him. A royal guard captain will protect him. Assassins will try to kill him. Wilder departs on a desperate quest to search for allies before Abaddon realizes heâs still alive--and sets out to destroy him and his new world. |
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She found her true home - just in time to fight for its survival. Katherine Doyle can't quite figure out how to fit in, and the loss of her father ten years ago only exacerbated her loneliness. When she begins to see creatures that no one else can, she realizes her entire upbringing has been filled with lies and deception. In a leap of faith, she adventures into the realm of Faeries, where she discovers that she is not actually an outcast meant for the human realm, but a powerful Fae. As she discovers how to manage her newfound powers, passionate tension ignites between her, the commander of the Queen's army, and the heir to the throne. But between the excitement of magic, friendship, and love, a looming fact remains: All is not well in this realm. Her race is under threat of extinctionâŚand the hunt for her heritage could end her bloodline entirely. âMarked by Fateâ is the first in an adult fantasy romance series, based loosely on Celtic lore, which will take you on an action-packed journey of loss, love, and found family. |
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Rise of the Empress by Bogdan TÄbuČcÄ Divided between great wicked minds and cruel beings of unnatural power, the world of Artia has long been under the cycle of war and suffering. A child is born, conceived in an unholy union. A mighty empress to bring the world within her grasp, through mercy and kindness, through sword and fire. But will she be any better than the horrors that came before her? Or will she succumb to the vices of power and rule this world as its new dark master? |
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The Last Fang of God by Ryan Kirk When gods refuse to die, it's humans that suffer. Safely hidden deep within the endless fields of his late wife's people, Kalen's only dream is to live the rest of his days in peace. He paid for his dream in blood, but neither his sword nor service are demanded any longer. Chaos erupts when his daughter, Sascha, is called by Kalen's old master. Father and daughter have no choice but to leave the home they've created for the land of Kalen's birth. But the sins of the past cast long shadows. After years of a tenuous peace, gods and humans alike resume their quest for dominance. Kalen and Sascha find themselves in the midst of a struggle that will reshape the boundaries of their world. The warrior who wants nothing but peace will be forced to draw his sword once again. Will it be enough to protect his daughter from the whims of the gods? |
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Rebel Unicorn by Brogan Thomas Her heart is broken, and her wrath is boiling over. Will she atone for her violence or fall to darkness? Tru Dennison is tired of being judged a freak. Sick of monstrous villains wreaking havoc and mayhem on her city, the half-unicorn, half-vampire shifter channels her energy into an undercover role as a black-ops assassin. But when her alluring angel mentor finds her standing over a pile of dead bodies, sheâs horrified that her unrequited crush accuses her of serial murder. Unable to persuade the resolute man of her clearance to make the hits, Tru is thrown before the grand creature council to answer for her actions. But even after her sanctioned kills are verified, her fuming anger fuels her determination to become a force no one dare cross⌠Will Truâs battle to deliver justice destroy her soul? Rebel Unicorn is the action-packed first book in the Rebel of the Otherworld urban fantasy series. If you like underestimated heroes, electrifying twists, and edge-of-your-seat suspense, then youâll love Brogan Thomasâs epic quest for redemption. |
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And the Wildness by Susan Maxwell "So the actual reason I was calling you is because-get this-I am not going to Prague this summer at all. Surprise! Thanks, Villa. Just ruin my life for me." Villa Grace is in disgrace. Her expulsion from school has ruined the prospect of a family holiday in imperial Prague, where her mother is organising a conference. Two of her three siblings are barely speaking to her, as all four face into a 'holiday' sweltering on Cobwell Farm in the back of beyond of drought-stricken Hibernia. But the power-hungry St. Maur Ker family has breached the border between mortal and sĂdhe for their own gain. Cobwell, on the threshold of myth, is about to become the centre of a battle between older, wilder forces and the technomantic ambitions of one of the empire's great aristo-corporate clans. Caught up in this conflict, the children are forced to face up to the dark underbelly of their parents' corporate environ-ment, and to confront their own conflicting ambitions and loyalties. This books is set in the same 'Hibernia Altera' universe as Maxwell's Good Red Herring, included in the Irish Times Best Books of 2014 for Children and Young Adults. For readers of all ages. |
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Bastards of Liberty by Matthew Zorich In the heart of the Holy Imperium, a family's lives are shattered. Runt Ashburn, the youngest of three siblings, journeys to seek his father needing answers. His sister Alsyha, now an indentured servant to blacksmiths, plots her escape and revenge. At the same time, the oldest, Ashburn Benjamin, juggles the life of a soldier and the pressure of a father who's the General of an army. Political forces twist around the three siblings. Could one of their deaths lead to a revolution? Bastards of Liberty features a gritty adventure and deep world-building in an alternative America where orcs, elves, and dwarves strive to gain the same rights as their human counterparts as they struggle under the yoke of a newly formed royal government. |
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Demons & Battleskirts Volume 1 by Belinda Crawford Enter a dark new urban fantasy filled with reincarnated superheroines, inter-dimensional demons and immortal enemies, from the acclaimed author of The Echo. Byrne Davin has lived many lives, from noblewoman to pioneer to slave, all of them filled with blood and death, all ending in pain and betrayal. This life, she would like to live in peace, or if not peace then to at least finish high school, maybe even meet a cute guy, go on a date, kick demon arse and be home in time to do her homework. But she canât always get what she wants, not with an ancient, battle-crazed warrior sharing her soul, or fragmented dreams of an unseen enemy that threatens not just her own existence, but that of her reincarnated sisters. Sisters who doubt Byrneâs every word and hold terrible secrets of their own. A darkness is coming, a bitter cold rising from the depths of the universe on the ravening howl of a bloodthirsty demon horde. And the only thing standing between it and victory are Byrne, her sisters and the lies tearing them apart. Get ready for the first book in a brand new series, as Crawford masterfully weaves another action-packed tale of secrets and suspense, where your friends are your enemies and your enemies are your friends. |
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The Yochni's Eye by Abigail Morrison An adventurous young adult fantasy novel about revenge, redemption, and what it truly takes to have peace. Every six hundred years, the yochni blinks, changing one thing about the world based on the wish of the last creature it sees. In ages past, these wishes have created expansive empires, magical abilities, and even new and powerful species. Theyâve also spawned evil overlords, terrifying monsters, and centuries of collective suffering. The past three ages have gone to the bogeysâgiant dog-like creatures with few physical vulnerabilities and incredible strength. Theyâve monopolized the yochniâs wishes to secure their ongoing rule. Sixteen-year-old dwarven champion Mira Goldfist, suffering with the rest of her people under the bogeyâs slave-keeping reign, wants nothing more than to wish them out of existence. That is, until she meets Atlan Qierce, high prince and heir to the bogey empire. Forced into a magical contract to travel with Atlan by Kraven Monteyeaux, a magical arbiter and reluctant medic, as new dangers and champions reveal themselves, Mira will have to confront everything she believes about the bogeysâmost importantly, whether any of them can be good and, if so, whether she can really kill them all. A thoughtful examination of revenge, authority, and the risks required for any higher good, The Yochniâs Eye puts a new twist on the classic rebellion tale, using high adventure, expansive settings, and a deadly race to beg of readers: What does it mean to wish for peace and what must we truly risk to obtain it? |
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The Winds of Change by Troy Knowlton After an assassination attempt that could lead to an all-out war, Tyras and Oren, two young Seekers of the Argan Empire, are each given secret missions in an attempt to thwart the coming chaos. Both tasks require the Seekers to venture through the war-torn continent of Tiarna where the young men face mortal danger, horrible monsters, and hostile groups â all challenges Seekers are trained to combat. Luckily, the two Seekers also find guidance, friendship, and romance along the way. However, powerful and mysterious forces are conspiring behind the scenes and both Tyras and Oren will have to overcome a host of obstacles, including their own inner demons, in order to maintain a glimmer of hope for success. With war imminent and the unknown ahead, will the Seekers triumph, or will they be swallowed by the turbulent, relentless Winds of Change? Set in a new, masterfully created high fantasy world, Seekers: The Winds of Change is perfect for fans of An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir and We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faisal. |
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It only took one word: Deal. After years of neglect from her father, Eibhlin has had enough. But when a purse of infinite gold, a fairy, and a trade shatter what little relationship she has with her father, she resolves to set things right. Aided by a magic compass and a talking instrument, she now seeks three magic keys and their magic doors to find the fairy once again and recover what was lost. She broke their relationship. Now, sheâll brave the Fae to fix it. If she can get there. From the fantasy tradition of The Chronicles of Prydain and The Hobbit comes a tale of love and redemption perfect for fans of all ages. |
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A Twist of Fate by Austin Windsor Order is fragile. Fate is volatile. Chaos is inevitable. Bounty hunter Richard Ordowyn thought he would live out his days plagued by fragmented memories. But as he meets a sorceress who lures him into a journey to take down the Empire, the foe waging war against his homeland, his memories begin to piece together as shadowy forces vie to control him. Freedom fighter ElaeĂnn TinaĂd is a terrorist to some. Having spent her life as an outcast for her inability to connect to magic, little did she know that this disconnect would connect her to a creature of legend. Ruthless crime syndicate leader Elton Redwinter thought he would reign over the Free City of Dannos until his death. But when he meets a vampire who warns him of a crisis that only he can prevent, his morals are truly tested as he prepares to fight. For all three, their paths are fraught with danger, deception, and mystery. And their fates are destined to be intertwined. |
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To Steal the Sun by S. M. Carter Kahli is a scarred assassin whose life is devoted to her holy order. But when her latest mission goes awry, she's forced onto a crew set to attempt an elaborate heist. Among the team is Raik, the most cunning smuggler on this side of the desert. A young rogue, Kirin, with wit sharper than his arrows ought to be. And an enchanting thief named Amara, whose raven-hair conceals even darker secrets. It won't be easy. Theyâre opposed by the curved blades of the magic-deranged, watched by a paranoid king, and hunted by gaunt beasts that click in the cold desert night... All the while discovering that trusting each other might be the most dangerous mission of all. To Steal The Sun is a tale of unlikely heroes thrust together in a new refreshing fantasy. One cast in vibrant silks, fragrant spice, and the relentless glare of a radiant sun. -- The first book in a new series featuring heart-pounding twists, unique magic, and bloodthirsty intrigue. Perfect for fans of Six of Crows and Mistborn. |
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Unfamiliar Territory by R. Lindsay Carter Cressida Curtain has a business to run. She spends her time catching bad guys and turning them in for bounties. After all, sheâs a natural born hunter. She also isnât exactly human. Thatâs her secret to keep, because her very existence is the only thing holding a great evil at bay. Itâs a legacy thatâs been passed down through the generations, and Cressida is the latest in line. But sheâs not going to let a little thing like the fate of the world get in her way. Life as a bounty hunter is never dull. And hers is about to get a lot more interesting. |
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The Fey of Castle Garden by Naomi P. Cohen New York City, 1859: On Samhain night, a mage pledged to the Wild Hunt is violently murdered. Tensions between the Hunt and Triona, Fey Queen of Central Park, heat up and threaten to boil over into a full-scale conflict. Sofia De Benedetti, mage and musician in Trionaâs court, has her hands full making enough money to support herself and help women who are down on their luck in the rough corners of the city. Now a fey war looms and a mage killer is on the prowl. Everything Sofia has built since immigrating, and her life itself, is at risk. With the help of a cait sidhe and a tempestuous storm fey, Sofia must find the murderer before the streets of the city erupt into a magical battleground. |
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Deathbringer by Blake Carpenter Inga Alenir is a Swordbearer. She is the latest in a long line of women to inherit a magical weapon called Deathbringer. She's also dead, murdered on her wedding day by the ruthless and covetous noblewoman Yenda Avard, who steals the sword after killing Inga and her entire family. And yet, some secrets won't stay buried. Deathbringer has a will and a consciousness of its own, and even has the power to raise Inga from the dead for a short time. It warns her that she has one week to find and retrieve the sword before death reclaims herâpermanently. With each day bringing her doom and final demise ever closer, Inga will have to see just how far she's willing to go to achieve her vengeance. DEATHBRINGER is a compositional mix between the violent, grisly hunt for revenge in the film THE NIGHTINGALE and the tale of Vasher and his talking sword Nightblood in Brandon Sanderson's WARBREAKER. Fans of dark fantasy, of tragic love stories and tales about seeking revenge against long odds will enjoy this debut novel by Blake Carpenter in the world of Agareth where a scorned, young widow fights back against the powerful elites that wronged her, and begins a journey that might turn the entire world against her. |
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Anakisha's Dragon by Eileen Mueller A feisty street fighter avenging her dead brother. A dashing dragon rider in the right place at the wrong time. And an unlikely pirate captain with nothing left to lose. Being a dragon rider is not in Anakishaâs plans. And Anakishaâs stubborn. Sheâs not giving up her dreams anytime soon. When Anakishaâs brother is murdered by a gang, she joins the Night Wings, a team of local vigilantes, and takes to the streets to avenge him. With a soft spot for defending underdogs, sheâs found her niche. The Night Wingâs leader is the dreamy golden-haired son of the village arbitrator â a fine catch. If she can impress his father, she can marry him and improve her familyâs fortune. But the underbelly of Fieldhaven is rife with politics and deceit. Although Anakisha is good with a bow and a dagger, sheâs not always the best judge of character⌠And her plans do not include a dragon. But then, the Kingâs Rider appears on his sleek onyx dragon. And a bloodthirsty pirate captain rises to power, spreading terror on the Naobian Sea. Leaving Anakisha torn between her dream and her duty⌠|
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Sam is immortal...sort of.Private Eye Sam Flint lives in a world of creatures, and this makes not dying tough. Rebirth is something heâd rather avoid since it hurts like hell. When mogul Lloyd Burgess asks Sam to find his daughter, Sam sees a fat paycheck. A trip to the darkest corner of the city where Necromancers rule should be easy. Too bad Sarah Burgess isnât just a spoiled rich brat. Her infatuation with the power of death leads Sam to two paths: Life or Death. The wrong choice will put him in the ground for good. |
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Join the Order of Magicâs Black Operations: travel, meet interesting mages, and destroy them! When Ed and Des Burke first heard that pitch, the answer was an easy âyesâ, especially since the other option meant never using their magic ever again. So they threw themselves into the Orderâs dirty work, cleaning up messes that the Nine liked to pretend didnât exist. But all that has changed. Someone in Black Ops has decided that the Burke siblings are a liability. And when the Orderâs most accomplished killer comes after them, it doesnât take an elementalist to figure out theyâve been burned. Old friends wonât take their calls, so the Burkes turn to an old enemy instead â a shapeshifter whose quicksilver support leads to a transformation in Ed and a showdown well above Desâs weight class⌠STRAY DOGS is a queer authorâs love letter to Urban Fantasy, for fans of SUPERNATURAL, GIDEON THE NINTH, and THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY. |
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A Wreck of Witches by Nia Quinn Magic and mayhem and ghost dogs, oh my⌠Iâm the plus-size witch who just wants to putter around my magical-plant nursery in peace, but nooo. The universe is conspiring against me, I swear. The newbie witch down the street just went missingâfive minutes before she was gonna give me a ride to our book club. Something magical is stalking through my mundane neighborhood, attacking my neighbors, and Iâve got everybody and their ghost dogs trying to âhelpâ me out. Pssh, like I canât handle things by myself. Oh, and my houseâwith a mischievous mind of its ownâhas decided this is the time to get up to more antics. Just gotta wrangle all this nonsense before the Unawares figure out magicâs real⌠Itâll be easy-peasy, right? __ A quirky urban fantasy starring a ragtag group of misfitsâer, witches, a sentient house, found family, diverse characters, and magical shenanigans. |
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Fated Born by Kristin L Hamblin What happens if you fall in love in a world where love is forbidden? Yesterday, Laida was Ardenisâs friend. Today, sheâs the love of his life. And he canât tell her. Ardenisâs human emotions werenât meant to awaken prematurely. Watchers are supposed to resist the charm of mortalsâ magical kingdoms and court intrigue. The punishment is exileâdenying him the beauty of a mortal life. He canât get caught, and he canât risk awakening Laidaâs emotions. While she remains oblivious, he is in torment, struggling to find his new place in the world alone. But love cannot exist without hate. Yesterday, the council could do no wrong. Today, Ardenis sees corruption among themâsomething he never would have recognized before. Someone is plotting to prevent the first-ever fae from being born. If Ardenis canât uncover the source of the corruption while hiding his human emotions, the realmâs ability to provide souls to the mortal world will be destroyed. Everyone, including Laida, is at risk. Fated Born is the first book in a young adult fantasy series perfect for readers who crave deep friendships, alternate worlds, and slow-burn romance. |
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Edgar and the Flyboys by Louise Gorday In 1849, soul runner Hamelin Russell arrived in Baltimore to transport Edgar Allan Poeâs soul into the afterlife. A lover of the arts, Hamelin had a change of heart and gave the author a second chance at life in exchange for finishing his magnum opus. One hundred and seventy-two years later, Hamelin returns to find the author hopelessly blocked, his dark muse stolen by the grandson of Pandora, and the manuscript unfinished. Hamelin must find a way to get Poeâs muse back, help him finish his masterpiece, and then transport the author into the afterlife without alerting his supervisors. If itâs found out that Hamelin has created another second chancer, he will face almost certain damnation. Hamelin believes he can get the muse back, but when the soul runner gets shanghaied to hell by a vindictive demon, and the 12th Angelic Corps is dispatched to retrieve him, Hamelinâs damnation seems like it might be inevitable. |
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REIGN OF EXTINCTION: BOOK ONE by Frank Borrelli A destroyed girl. A disgraced soldier. A disfigured outcast. A death-dealing healer. A dying prophet. A devastated civilization. Fifteen-year-old Rose has always had worse things to worry about than the foretold end of the world. Ever since her father abandoned them, she has struggled to provide for her poor family and shield her younger siblings from their motherâs drunken rages. But when Doomsday begins on a beautiful morning, Rose finally loses everybody she loves. After the grief-stricken girl is reluctantly taken in by an obsessed band of outlaws who believe their shared dreams contain supernatural clues that may help them save what remains of civilization, the outlaws learn they are being hunted by a horde of monstrous assassins that are hellbent on stopping them from deciphering the strange dreams, and Rose realizes there is almost nothing her saviors wonât do (and no one they wonât sacrifice) to ensure the success of their otherworldly mission. Over time, the outlaws become Roseâs flawed new family, one that offers her an opportunity to healâand a hard choice: Should she dare to care about others again and fight to save humanity from extinction at all costs, or should she embrace her pain and stoke the flames that are reducing everyone in the wicked world to ashes? |
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The Revenge of Bridget Cleary by Mathilda Zeller Are you a witch, or are you a fairy, or are you the daughter of Bridget Cleary? Exiled for a murder her father committed, Brigid Cleary has until midsummer to gather what she needs for readmission to her home in the fairy mound: a chest of stolen gold and a chest full of her fatherâs blood. With nothing but her own wits and an ability to be mostly unseen, she takes a position as a scullery maid in a country manor house, where stealing gold is easy as dusting the candlesticks. When discovery of her thieving becomes likely, she scarpers, embarking on a madcap season in London. With midsummer fast approaching, Brigid must recoup her stolen gold in any way she can, even if it means modeling for a lecherous pre Raphaelite artist, posing as a young debutante to spy on other debutantes, and forming a clandestine Pugilism Club for Young Ladies. With gold filling her pockets and her father newly released from prison, the path back to the fairies should be clear. Or would be, were it not for her growing feelings for Edmund, the gentle young lord who hired her to spy on his sister; her burgeoning sense of loyalty and friendship to Adelaide, the sister upon whom she was meant to spy; and the unsettling question of whether she should--or even could--bloodily avenge her motherâs death. Inspired by the actual 1895 murder of Bridget Cleary by her husband Michael, the struggle for Irish Home Rule, and events surrounding the late pre Raphaelite artistic movement, The Revenge of Bridget Cleary has been heralded by author Joanna Ruth Meyer as "equal parts haunting, compelling, and throughtful." |
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Daughter of the Beast by E C Greaves Fear not the beasts in your stories â 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 killâall 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 worldâbuilt for, and by, men. |
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Defenders of Myth: Beginnings by Michael Gisman On their world, myths spread their shadow across the land as legends creep from the dark of night. Some seek refuge. Others seek destruction and death. Meanwhile, something hidden, buried in the shadows of our world, hungers for release⌠A young man, Kalend, raised in a monastery without ever knowing who his parents were, is forced to flee that home by Warlocks and creatures from the mists of those myths. During his flight, Kalend comes face to face with a twin sister he never knew existed. A young woman, Hollilea, raised in the mountains by witches to learn the art of magic of another place and time, struggles to realize her full powers while being hunted by monsters from legend. Myths and legends have seeped from our world into theirsâŚand they bring chaos. A hidden hand has yet to reveal itself or its true designs as it desperately seeks the siblings. Brother and sister must unite, only together can they face their true calling. Only together can they face the darkness closing in on their world. Drawn into an ages-old struggle, as allies and foes from their world and another much older one gather around them, they confront the emerging evil and search for what lurks behind the veil of myths. Worlds converge as magic, armies, and creatures are unleashed on both sides. Thus begins a journey to save not just the people of their world but others from a faraway land. A land not so different from our own⌠Our world and their world. Myths and legends. Darkness spreads over all. Celtic, Arthurian, Greek, and other legends from two worlds, ours and theirs, mixed with sword and sorcery, are woven into a classic epic fantasy. |
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On the eve of her 16th birthday, Candle Enys discovers her brother has sold her soul to a demon. Scared for her life, Candle runs away. But the mountains of Hanternos are dangerous, especially for soft-hearted girls who have never learned to fight. At dawn and at dusk spirits crawl from the shadows, searching for bodies to steal. Evil stirs in the deep caves, and the wind smells of black powder.â¨â¨A chance meeting with an ancient being sets her on the path to power she never knew she possessed. It also places a target on her back.â¨â¨If she is to survive, Candle must defeat her monsters, or risk becoming one herself. A dark fantasy with steampunk and horror elements. Content warning for emotional abuse, some gore. |
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Wild Eyed Southern Boys by Shawn McGee Rebecca dumped him and then his mentor, Old Donnie, died, so Corey decided that he didn't need people and became a loner. He is nearly killed in his first encounter and his buddy from High School, Miles, and his codependent friend, Rachel, saved his life. He continued to go alone to gigs, even though injured, despite Rachel begging him not to go alone. Gargoyles are trying to come back to Earth faster than they ever have before and Corey is the last person on Earth who can banish them. The problem is, he'd rather find a new woman in his life, brew a better batch of beer, and relax in nature. If Corey can't go over his obsession with being a loner and accept the help of others, Atlanta, and the rest of the world is doomed. |
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Credible Threats by Daniel Meyer Sam Adams, sixteen-year-old wizard, has zero interest in saving the worldâbut staying out of the line of fire isnât an option for wizards. When a new designer drug hits the streets, giving ordinary humans magical powers and leaving a trail of bodies in its wake, it threatens to turn his city of Williamsportâs long-simmering conflict between the haves and the have-nots into a full-scale war. The only one with the skills to protect the city, Sam finds himself thrust into a conspiracy far darker and more dangerous than he ever imagined, with tentacles stretching into the criminal underworld and the wealthy eliteâand into the spirit world. Fighting for his life, surrounded by enemies, Sam has to dig deeper than ever before to keep Williamsport from going up in flames. But even magic has its limits. |
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Sisters of Jade by James Downe Adventurers. Treasure Hunters. Thieves. Long have the infamous Sisters of Jade raided the islands of the Sovanti Strait. Once, their names were whispered in fear. Now, their legacy is beginning to fade. Their leader, Kylan Tier, is a woman adrift. Returning to the city of Mgen Riy, Kylan learns an old friend is a prisoner of the corrupt Gorgon Court. After a failed coup, Baron Iro Mezakis has been maimed, his family executed. Only his youngest daughter survives, taken across the strait by a villainous rival. Hunted by agents of the Court, Kylan strives to hold her sisters together long enough to rescue the baron and reunite him with his daughter. Few have ever stood up to the Gorgon Court, but fewer still have lived to tell the tale. About Sisters of Jade. Sisters of Jade is set within the Legacy of Rukara. It is the first book about the sisters and their adventures. It is in the same world as the short story collection Salt & Cinder, but there is no need to read one before the other. |
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Shadow of the Winter Mood by Cam Sinclair Drunk ⌠Scoundrel ⌠Thief ⌠Vagabond ⌠Fool ⌠Reelum Hangs has been called many things, and at one time or other has resembled them all. Reelum, however, knows a dark and terrible secretâone that delves right to the heart of Kraven city. Sharrock is a grisly veteran from the harsh lands north of the Riven Expenseâa brutish man with a hard temper and harder reputation. When a business opportunity presents the seemingly simple task of locating Reelum Hangs and providing a solution to his money woes, Sharrock is set on a course that will forever alter his life. Foul conspiracies that may threaten the very fabric of society will be uncovered. Scores will be settled, violence and mayhem unleashed, and bestial lusts unfettered to rampage without restraint. The notion of right and wrong, hero and villain, action and consequences will forever be skewed and tainted. Welcome to the Kraven Kronicles ⌠|
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The Third Crossing by Karim Soliman A prequel novel to the SPFBO Semi-finalist Army of the Cursed The drums of war are beating in Koya. By the Lightâs will, the Red Cloaks shall cross the sea under His holy banner, the ancient homeland will be restored, the slaughtered ancestors will be avenged, and the damned occupants will all perish. By the Lightâs will, the Third Crossing shall happen. Akira will be one of the heroes of the upcoming holy war; thatâs the seerâs promise to his mother. He will outshine his fellow mages, don the red cloak, and join the Lightâs own soldiers. He will bring victory to his people and honor to his family, clearing its name from his fatherâs shame. Or thatâs what Akira thinks. Because seers can be devious sometimes. From the rural side of Koya enters Natsu as she assumes her late husbandâs place and takes the smuggling underworld by storm. Her shocking rise provokes not only the Koyan navy, but also her rivals, and a fierce war ensues on land and sea. A war she can only win if she shakes hands with the smugglers' deadliest enemies; the Red Cloaks themselves. For honor and coin, Akira and Natsu will forge a shaky alliance, both knowing that one of them will eventually have to betray the other. Trust could be a grave mistake in these dark times of war. If you wish to be the last one standing, you must be ready to be the first to stab in the back. |