SPFBO10 SPFBO Participants
Books entered in the competition of SPFBO beginning May 2024.
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Fruits of the Gods by William C. Tracy Taste the magic of the gods! Sisters Kisare and Belili uproot an ancient box in their ownerâs orchard and find a miracle inside: a fifth godfruit in a society that knows only four. It is punishable by death for non-nobles to eat godfruit, so the sisters hide the discovery and plot to escape servitude for good. With the power represented in the box, they could live as nobles themselves. But Kisare finds her new freedom more difficult than she imagined, and Belili has many secrets she strives to keep hidden. With the help of a people slowly losing their culture and technology to the powerful nobles, the sisters lead an infiltration of the highest levels of noble society. While Kisare finds she cares for the captured leader of the people helping them, Belili comes to love her noble suitorâs guardâa fierce woman with a similar past to her own. In the end, the fifth godfruit may bring harmony to the world, but the sistersâ only hope of succeeding lies in deciphering ancient mythologies surrounding the godsâ original plan for their people. Genres: Fantasy / Mythology / Adventure / Lesbian / LGBT |
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Finn Silvers survived a contract with a powerful demon. Surely, he can handle whatever working at a pizzeria dishes out. A new city, a new job, and new friends; thatâs what Finn expected to find when he moved in with his aunt. He didnât anticipate the new romance, another ingredient to his new life. But Finn has made some mistakes that arenât easily overlooked, so things might boil over before theyâve begun to even simmer. If thatâs not enough, a new drug called Thorn has taken hold of the city, threatening to ruin his peaceful, pizza-filled days. Finnâs already dealt with enough calamities for one lifetime, but heâll have to decide whether to ignore this one and hope things get better, or stick his hands into the fire and risk waking up a part of his past heâd thought he left behind. Are some things are better left sleeping? Finn must decide, because he isnât about to give up after his first slice of a normal life. |
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Stone-Cold Alibi by W. B. Biggs Step into a world where the lines between reality and the supernatural blur in an electrifying new thriller: âStone-Cold Alibi.â In the heart of New Orleans, a chilling murder rocks a local diner, thrusting Detective Joseph Seraph into a realm where angels, demons, and spirits intertwine with mortal lives. As the body count climbs and cryptic symbols point to an otherworldly presence, Detective Seraph embarks on a relentless quest to unmask a killer unlike any he's encountered before. But in a battle where conventional methods fall short, Detective Seraph unveils an unexpected arsenalâsummoned spirits that lend an edge to his investigation. As he navigates a shadowy underworld and uncovers long-buried secrets, he races against time to halt the malevolent schemes of a mastermind. With each turn of the page, âStone-Cold Alibiâ takes you on a roller-coaster ride of supernatural intrigue and pulse-pounding suspense. Can Detective Seraph decipher the cryptic clues, bridge the gap between worlds, and confront the darkness lurking beneath? Or will he become entangled in a web of mystical forces beyond his control? Prepare for a mind-bending journey that will leave you questioning the boundaries of reality and the depths of human darkness. Are you ready to face the unknown? |
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Happy times are a treasure like no other. Isobel and Des have travelled far from home to learn more about themselves and to experience the beautiful vistas of their rapidly industrializing planet. Though an unplanned encounter, the small fair bestows the twosome an opportunity to take a moment to feel excitement and frustration; the female cousins needed a change of pace from the peaceful but uneventful days of late. The fighter and the girl choose to have lots of fun at the fairgrounds. Yet peace was never an option for Ifrit, Shiver, and Odin. The trio has come to execute an inhuman mission, and stopping them requires a party of intrepid heroes to step forth. It is clear that the three soldiers are more than ready to fight to the death for the sake of their sworn duty. Amongst them, the firebrand seems to enjoy his murderous task and the demon downright revel in the helplessness of her victims â whilst the leader has an aura of melancholy. Does humanity have what it takes to defeat the silver-skinned cannibals? |
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Lurid Lantern by Victoria Clapton After discovering that all she fights for is a lie, a young commander joins her arch nemesis to defeat her king and save the three realms. Cahya is a commander in the army of Refulgent. Her mission is to defend Hikari, the Light Realm and defeat the Soul Smite army of Kurai, the Dark Realm. Yet, Cahya has a secret, and her world unravels on a chance meeting with the King of Kurai where she discovers a love that may have fractured the realms. |
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The Young Necromancer's Guide to Ghosts by Vanessa Ricci-Thode Lusi can see ghosts. And that's only the beginning of her problems. Lusi is a perfectly normal 12-year-old wizard except for the part where she can talk to ghosts. But everyone knows ghosts arenât real, so at best they think Lusi is lying and at worst that sheâs lost her mind. Her big sister Marsi is the only one who believes her, but Marsi is running away to escape Uncleâs terrible plan to make her marry his creepy nephew. Lusi canât imagine being separated from her sister and leaves behind the rest of their family to flee with Marsi via merchant caravan to the Wizards Guild for help. All their plans are dashed to pieces when Uncle catches up to them in a matter of days. Uncleâs connections to powerful wizards make him far more dangerous than Lusi initially realized. But Lusi isnât crazy or a freak for talking to ghosts: sheâs a necromancer! Marsi is worriedâtheyâve always been told that necromancers are monsters. Lusi needs to learn more to set both their minds at ease. She must enlist the help of a ghost girl, a dragon, and a strange wizard from the other side of the world if she wants to control her unusual talents and keep her family safe. |
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One man. Assassin. Caster. A new world. And a Game that is as brutal as it is complex. Michael finds himself in the realm of the Forever Kingdom, with no memory of how he got there and who he is. Even so, he must participate in the Grand Game and forge a new destiny for himself. Dropped into a dungeon of monsters, and strange magics, would you survive in a Game where to lose means death? Alone, and with little more than his wits to aid him, Michael must advance as a player, slay his foes, and gain experience. All while navigating the intrigues around him and discovering his purpose. A world of Powers, Forces, and mysterious factions. A Game with endless opportunities for advancement and power. Join Michael on his epic adventure as he deals with the Gameâs challenges, the machinations of the Powers, and the ambitions of his fellow players. The start of an exciting new portal fantasy epic! |
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The Torn Veil by Timothy J R Rains A Mysterious Correspondent. A Battle-weary Nation. A Covenant Sworn on the Altar of Hell. Aside from a few memories of her mother, the convent is all Kerstinâs ever known. But when she receives an invitation to work for the Duke of Klomm, she finally gets the chance to experience life outside the abbey. Only, the opportunity isnât what she thinks. Offered up as bait in a dangerous undercover investigation, Kerstin must walk a harrowing razorâs edge. And with the Church watching her every move, one misstep could land her back in the conventâor worse, at the stake. Not to mention, the duke will most likely throw her off a bridge the second she outwears her usefulness. And thatâs if the most nefarious wizard in the land doesnât blast her into another dimension first. Thereâs nowhere to turn. There's no one to trust. And with the investigation taking a darker turn, Kerstin finds herself questioning whose side sheâs really on. The question is, can she claim power for herself ... or will some washerwoman find her floating facedown in the canal? |
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Dawn of the Black Sun by Timo Burnham A martial arts progression fantasy. In the world of the Silver Empire, there are magical talking swords, martial arts demigods and ancient mysteries lost to time. Ryushu lives the quiet and boring life of a fisherman's son until a single day rips his world apart. Now he must make the journey to the top of the titanic Mount Gharun to learn from the hyo masters--martial artists with the powers of demigods. Can he survive the brutal climb? Does he have the strength, not just of body, but of mind and spirit? Meanwhile an exile wonders the barrenlands, holding a sword that speaks. He slowly gathers a following as he prepares to take the emperors throne for himself. Dawn approaches. A Dawn of death and destruction. The Dawn of the Black Sun. |
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Surviving Westcliff by Thomas Perkins Westcliff was meant to be a new start. For Ash, her first voyage as a navigator is a chance to excel under her legendary mentor, prove to the world and herself that sheâs fit for the job. For Baron, the expeditionâs criminally-inclined security officer, itâs an opportunity to cash in on a supposed stashed fortune before debts get his knees smashed in. But from the moment their ship drops anchor and Westcliff is founded, things arenât quite right. Livestock go missing. Strange sounds echo in the darkness. Baronâs fortune seems more fiction than fact. And when tragedy suddenly strikes, Westcliffâs residents find themselves trapped and under-provisioned, with winter fast approaching. Forced to take charge of a desperate town on the brink of violence, Ash and Baron will have to use every trick they have to find out whoâs responsible. If they donât, nobodyâs surviving Westcliff. |
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Gabriel's Journey by Thomas J. Prestopnik An exciting adventure novel for pre-teen and adult readers. Gabriel mouse and his friends enjoy a carefree existence in the field along the country roadâuntil the night of the wild summer storm! When a fiery bolt of lightning destroys an abandoned barn across the road, their lives are changed forever. But was the barn really abandoned after all? Rumors have always existed of green-eyed beasts living there, but the mice had never seen them and so never believed in them. Until now. Six creatures have fled the burning barn like shadows in the night, secretly crossing the road into Gabriel's field during the storm, and now live in the nearby woods. Watching... Waiting... Now that danger hunts them down, the mice realize that the rumors are all too true. So Gabriel and a group of friends decide to search for a new home behind the walls of an estate where life is said to be perfect. But the situation is far from perfect before their journey even starts. Gabriel's best friend Simon is falling under the spell of the beasts and puts the mice in grave danger. Will Simon betray them all? Or will Gabriel succeed before all is lost? Let the journey begin... |
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The Kiss of the Sky by Signe Hart She thought reclaiming her home was the only thing that matteredâ until she met him. Myrtheâs mission was simpleâinfiltrate the dreaded human city and retrieve an artifact that could change the tides of war. As a sylvanâborn of the forestâshe would do anything to save her people, but when she is caught by an arrogant human mage, her plans spiral out of control. Trapped behind the stone and copper walls of the city, Myrthe has to find a way to obtain her target without giving the mysterious, and enticing, man watching her every move a reason to ensure she never escapes, even if she's beginning to wonder if she wants to leave at all.â¨â¨Ardin serves the Temple of the Aspectis in the name of finding vengeance, but his powerful magic is slowly killing him. With enemies lurking both within and without the city, the end of his quest is nowhere in sightâuntil he stumbles upon a woman trying to steal from the temple. Like a spark of bright light in his dim world, she brings a change that may light the way to his future or burn it to ash. This is the first book in the Song of the Sylvan series, an epic fantasy featuring a world conquered by forest and a war between humans and the non-human sylvan people. Slow burn enemies to lovers from opposite sides of the war. |
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Lady of Dragons by Shelby Elizabeth You will be bound, dragon and human. Finlay McDonough wants nothing more than to be a Dragon Knight: a warrior bound with a dragon partner, intent on ridding the kingdom of its dragon-killing monarchy. Well, she might want one thing just a bit more ⌠Evander, her childhood friend, now keeper of the dragon sanctuary. Scouting with Evander one day, Finlayâs attempt to save a dragon goes horribly wrong, and she inadvertently ties her fate to the dragonâsâtheir souls bind, lending Finlay powers like those of the Mages the Knights are sworn to destroy. After passing the trial to train as a Knight, Finlay discovers a devastating truth about a beloved dragon. To save them, sheâll need to risk her dream of becoming a true Knight, her chance at a happily-ever-after with Evander . . . and maybe her very identity. Fade-to-black fantasy romance with a fierce heroine, gentle love interest, sassy dragon companion, and more than a dash of adventure awaits. |
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Speak The Ocean by Rebecca Enzor For Mer handler Finn Jarvis, the feral mermaid performers at Oceanica Marine Park are nothing more than ruthless aquatic predators, violent and unpredictable. That doesnât stop the public from flocking to one of the worldâs most popular tourist attractions. To them, the Mer are magical entertainment, too beautiful to be dangerous. They donât see what happens to the ones who dare swim out of line. Newly caught Erie doesnât know what the evil landfolk want from her. Alone and voiceless, she watches the other merfolk from the confines of her tank. Broken into submission, theyâve become shells of the once vibrant creatures she knew. But Erie refuses to be subjugated. Sheâll get the crowds to see her as something more than simple entertainmentâstarting with her captor, Finn.While Finn trains Erie in her routine, she secretly teaches herself the air-words he and the other trainers speak. And when the language barrier falls, Finn starts to realize that the gap between human and Mer is smaller than he thought, and maybe itâs not the Mer who are monsters, after all.Set against the backdrop of a familiar and beloved fairy tale, this stunning debut, as brutal as it is beautiful, explores the morality of subjugating other species to the whims of entertainment, daring readers to find humanity in the inhuman. |
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Fragments of Skyonae by Raleigh Markovski Falcone Commander Ryoko Hyakutake earned it. Her new title, honor, and the respect of the Skyonian Imperial Military. But she'd throw her reputation away in an instant to bring back those she lost. Crippled with survivor's guilt, she, along with the rest of the military, search for the remains of a sacred sword across the war rotted ruins of Macloc to strike back against the god Xilmire and the Corruption: a curse that morphs Skyonians into malformed beasts. When Ryoko becomes the first person to slip free from Xilmire's grasp, she uncovers both a conspiracy against her within the ranks of the military and the horrifying secrets of the god's curse. Each new revelation about the curse could put her life further in peril. But there is a chance those secrets could save her people. Will she uncover the curse's secrets in time to save everyone? Will she save herself? Or will the Skyonian Imperial Military destroy itself? |
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A missing giant. A sinister conspiracy. A decision that will change the fate of a jarldom. The bone trade is big business. Black market buyers will offer many silvers for fresh giant bone, to carve into charms or use in dark enchantments. When cloaked men kidnap the giant Njal Frostborn, everyone knows why. He's destined to be murdered and sold in that terrible trade. His best friend, apprentice wizard Idun Wintermoon, is determined to save him from that terrible fate. But to do so, she must defy the head of her order, and face powers far beyond her ability. To survive, she's going to need an ally. Luckily for her, Lissette Forlatt - a down-on-her-luck sellsword - is on the case. Together, they'll brave worse than the elements and rogue mages in their quest to save Njal. What they discover might shake the jarldom to its core. If they live long enough to tell the story. |
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By a Silver Thread by Rachel Aaron A new DFZ series from the author of NICE DRAGONS FINISH LAST and MINIMUM WAGE MAGIC, now complete at three books! In the worldâs most magical metropolis where spirits run noodle shops and cash-strapped dragons stage photo-ops for tourists, people still think fairies are nothing but stories, and thatâs exactly how the fairies like it. Itâs a lot easier to feast on humanityâs dreams when no one believes you exist. But while this arrangement works splendidly for most fair folk, Lola isnât one of the lucky ones. Sheâs a changeling, a fairy monster made just human enough to dupe unsuspecting parents while fairies steal their real child. The magic that sustains her was never meant to last past the initial theft, leaving Lola without a future. But thanks to Victor Conrath, a very powerful--and very illegal--blood mage, she was given the means to cheat death. For a price. Now the only changeling ever to make it to adulthood, Lola has served the blood mage faithfully, if reluctantly, for twenty years. Her unique ability to slip through wards and change her shape to look like anyone has helped make Victor a legend in the DFZâs illegal-magic underground. Itâs not a great life, but at least the work is stable⌠until her master vanishes without a trace. With only a handful left of the pills that keep her human, Lola must find Victor before she turns back into the fairy monster she was always meant to be. But with a whole SWAT team of federal paladins hunting her as a blood-mage accomplice, an Urban Legend on a silent black motorcycle who wonât leave her alone, and a mysterious fairy king with the power to make the entire city dream, Lolaâs chances of getting out of this alive are as slender as a silver thread. |
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Heir of Amber and Fire by Rachanee Lumayno They're only huge, scary, fire breathing creatures. Seriously, is that any reason to be afraid of a dragon? When my father the king announced my upcoming political wedding, it uncovered family secrets I never knew existed and forced me to go on the run. Now I, Princess Jennica of Calia, am not only trying to escape my arranged marriage, but am hoping to figure out the truth of my heritage. Because my dear father may not be what he seems. To learn the mysteries of my past, I'll have to team up with a group of ragtag mercenaries. Including a handsome dragon Seeker whose surliness can't stop me from being drawn to him despite myself. They're taking me to the dragon who once kidnapped my mother, and who hopefully has the answers I seek. Because I'm running out of time to save my kingdom. And in order to save my kingdom, I might have to betray my new friends. Journey to the Gifted Lands, a fantasy world of seven kingdoms, each known for their own unique power or ability. Heir of Amber and Fire is the first book in the Kingdom Legacy series set in this magical world. |
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An inner demon. A secret portal. The struggle for survivial may just end them all... For as long as sixteen-year-old Zade can remember, heâs fought against a powerful presence inside him. When heâs in control, heâs able to wield this dark soulâs powers to protect the nearby village. When heâs not, the demonâs thirst for blood canât be controlled.The villagers know thereâs evil lurking outside their borders, but they donât realize itâs not the âdemon ninjaâ they should fearâitâs the monsters he fights against who are trying to find a secret portal hidden within the town.After rescuing a young woman form an attack, the villagers capture Zade and force him to live among them. As Zade struggles to keep his demon at bay, he becomes the villageâs unlikely hero. He must prepare them to fight their greatest battle, all the while waging an internal was that could destroy them all.Daemarkin: Demonâs Vow is the first book in a captivating fantasy series about perceptions, expectations, and one young manâs struggle to find his place in a strange world. If you like magical settings, incredible plot twists, and demon ninjas, then youâll love R.W. Hertâs canât-put-down story. |
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In a world that slumbers under eternal night, the immortal king of the Prism Lands is dying, and with him, the world. Crown Princess Sunsea escapes the castle in hopes of saving her father before his condition is revealed to the ever-hungry for conquest empire. Valk Hawkborn, her sworn knight, chases after her. A Prism Knight, he posses the ability to manipulate overlight, holy powers granted by the moon and stored inside his crystal arm. The fall of the world gives birth to new powers: necromancers, vile puppeteers that play with the deceased bodies of their victims, and they have set their eyes on the biggest prize there is: the body of a king once believed to live forever. The race across the Prism Lands begins - the princess searching for a cure, her betrayed knight chasing after her, and the necromancers building their forces to take control of the kingdom. |
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Through Blood and Dragons by R.M. Schultz Steeped in blood. Ruled by those with dragons. Cimeren is a world divided by a mysterious forest and the vast Lake on Fire. Suspicion brews on both sides, and the south has fallen into chaos as battles and quarrels rage between kingdoms. In the border outpost of Nevergrace, Cyran Orendain is dealing with the loss of his brother and his lord as he strives to face the mounting challenges of a squire of the dragonguard. But when Cyranâs guard-master is called to face the most powerful of the southern kings and bear witness to a secret stolen from the north, Cyran is dragged into a war that has been bubbling under the surface for centuries. Dragons are not only weaponsâthey are engines of war. And even though Cyran is not trained in the ways of the dragonguard, he must adapt and learn to become one of them or his homeland and all of Cimeren will be destroyed. But he was not born a champion. He may break, and he will bleed. |
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A prisoner scarred by his past, suffocating in his desert hell. A crown prince bound by his familyâs tragedy. A myrprincess stripped of command and promised to a human. All must shed the shackles that bind them, but the darkness of the world is spreading quicklyâmadness in the streets, a ravaging sickness of the body and mind, and enemies at every border. Those gifted with magic, those bonded to dragons, those with a heart for righting the wrongs in the world must decide how to use their abilities. For with freedom to live comes the freedom to resist, to fight . . . and to kill. Their battles stretch across continents but are more intertwined than they can possibly imagine. Liberation is the first book in The Keepers of Midgate series, an epic fantasy set in a world of powerful elemental magic, sentient but reclusive dragons, and fearsome magical races. |
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In the world of Edenarth, faerie technology has advanced the realms immeasurably. Crystal ball communications, magic mirror displays, and portaling for fast travels are just some of the things that the Clans of Fey have engineered for human consumptionâat the right price, of course. Politically, countless kingdoms and realms vie for power and prestige. It is a world filled with terrifying dragons, fearsome trolls, clueless humans, eccentric alchemists, syndicates and pirates, mysterious mermaids, faeries and their magic. In the realm of Kelemer, Adella lives a life of peasantry with her parents, always having to hide from a shadowed past no one will name. One night, they are visited by the grandmother Adella never knew she had: Queen Cassandra Everheart, ruler of the ocean kingdom of Adamaris, the neighboring realm to the south. After years of hiding, Adella learns why her family has been hunted as Cassandra apologizes for banishing Adellaâs father for marrying outside of the royal bloodlines. Adamaris has since been bereft of an heir, and with Adella being the rightful crown, she is presented with the choice to leave and attend Royal High, a finishing academy for nobility. Within three yearsâ time, she will be expected to become Queen of Adamaris should she embrace her birthright. Naturally, fifteen year old Adella is stunned, but reluctantly agrees. She is then whisked away and thrust into the opulent castle halls of Royal High to learn alongside other young royals from across the realms. But a strange darkness haunts Adella in the shadows of the palatial school, and through a series of increasingly dire events, Adella finds that not everyone is as they appear in the world of royals. For under the surface of all kingdoms, a terrible and dark force is rising; an ancient breed of Dragon Kin, once thought vanquished by five guardians of light, are fighting to break free from their thousand year exile. Can Adella Everheart understand what her dreams are telling her before it is too late? Or will the darkness consume everything she loves? ~~~~~ With her peasant life stripped away, and a crown thrust upon her, Adella Everheart must face the darkness haunting her at Royal High before it consumes everything she loves. Who would have thought high school could be so easy? |
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However Many Must Die by Phil Williams Wild Wish was trained to do one thing: kill. Saved from a lonely backwater existence by a global war, Wish couldn't believe her luck when she got into the Blood Scouts. Now she gets to share tents with an all-female platoon of night-stalking, giant-slaying, boat-sinking, battle-swaying legends in the making. The problem is, they keep dying. And they've been given their worst assignment yet. The enemy Dread Corps are combining magics deep within the nightmare lands of Low Slane, to unleash a weapon that could sway the entire war. It's up to the Blood Scouts to stop them â with a journey that gets more dangerous with every step. Far behind enemy lines, death hangs in the air. Monsters lurk around every corner. Are Wish's skills â and positive attitude â enough to keep her Blood Scouts alive? Or will the cost of survival finally break her? Get ready for the first epic entry in a new series, and a new world, of dark military fantasy from Phil Williams. Start reading today! |
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Thornbane the Lost by Paul Sating A kingdom plunged into chaos. A woman branded a demon. A power she didn't choose becomes her only hope. On the morning of the bell tolls, Cynn Jade wakes to find her world shattered. The baron and his wife, murdered. Hexed by powers she doesn't understand, Cynn is forced to flee all she knows. Hexed by enigmatic powers, she becomes a demon, an outcast shunned by the very world she could save. Changing her name to protect the family line will only go so far as she discovers the true depth of the war sheâs fighting. Lost in a world she can no longer call her own, she must rely on the kindness of strangers. A ranger, who knows more of her story than heâs sharing. A goblin, exiled by her own kind who must do the last thing she wants to do to keep Thornbane alive. A mage with an unsavory reputation for pushing magic too far. Haunted by a demon's shadow and ostracized by her people, Cynn is an exiled heir. If she embraces her cursed transformation, she can unlock a powerful hidden magic. But will doing so save the barony or consume her soul? To regain not only her throne but also save her people, Cynn must find a cure to the curse. Her quest leads her down a perilous path, forcing her to face a magic far older and wilder than she ever imagined. As the shadows deepen, the question lingersâwill this newfound power save her or become the instrument of her destruction? |
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Path of the Guardian by Paolo Danese The kingdom that had protected him for so many years had now betrayed him. It had torn everything away from him. Now he was alone, and the end was approaching. Boren is a young man with a past far more mysterious than he realizes. He is now desperate, alone, and on the run. His family has just been slaughtered by the assassins of Ferdul, the usurper king of the island kingdom of Siskail. Why me? This is all he keeps thinking. But the answer will not be easy to find. Rescued by one of the last warrior mages, the duo will need to travel far and face their worst nightmare. Little do they know a threat long-forgotten is looming. Path of the Guardian is the first book in the epic fantasy trilogy Portal Wars. |
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A Strange Bunch by Nikola Stefan An epic fantasy saga based on myths, legends, and folk fairytales which have enthralled generations worldwide. To lose everything, and remain apart, darkness always round her, darkness in her heart!â¨To wander the world, without peace or cheer, shadow ever pursuing, and escape nowhere! Deep in the forgotten past, a dark force awakensâŚÂ The sole survivor of a mysterious devastating attack is hounded by an unnatural pack with a black horseman at the helm. She finds herself on a perilous quest alongside a group of enigmatic misfits, brought together through chance encounters and unforeseen alliances. Chosen by the gods or beguiled into believing so by the far-seeing daughter of a witch, the companionship seeks to unravel the secrets of a fateful prophecy. Experience the thrill of swords and sorcery in wandering a medieval world of mythical creatures, dark forests, and lost cities with these unsung heroes â in a race for their very lives, as they battle deadly shadows rising from the depths of time! |
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Child of Vanris by Nikki McCormack At five years old, Kasiel was found with the pointed ends of his ears cut off. Despite that brutal start, heâs lived twelve peaceful years with the man who took him in. Keeping his hair long over his mutilated ears helps him hide the fact that he is Vanrian, a child of the enemy. Everything changes when mercenaries arrive hunting for Kasiel. The last people he expects to come to his rescue are Vanrian soldiers, one of whom claims to be his spirit brother, whatever that means. They plan to take him across the war zone to deliver him to his real father, a man whose name strikes terror in his enemies. With his secret exposed, Kasiel canât return to his old home. This is his chance to find out who he was supposed to be. It means traveling to a foreign land where they have unusual psychic abilities he may share. It also means leaving behind everything heâs ever cared about. If he is to survive, he will need to learn their language and culture and earn his place in their society. Meanwhile, the man who cut Kasielâs ears will do anything to keep him out of his true fatherâs hands, even if it means killing him. |
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Obsidian Murders by Nicole Brona A journalist who's kinda weird. A 500-year-old vampiric detective. Two young women dead from an unknown, magical source. â¨Tessa O'Hara is tired of people thinking she is crazy. Growing up sensitive to the supernatural and deemed mentally unstable by every therapist sheâs ever seen, Tessa moves to Washington D.C. to start fresh. But when there are two murders in her neighborhood that reek of magic, she's a bit freaked out and utterly regretting her decision to become a semi-functioning adult.â¨â¨Seeking aid from a vampiric detective, a grumpy house faerie, and several local Wiccan covens, she is determined to use her abilities to help. But Tessa and her new friends are at a loss when the case abruptly goes cold with no leads or suspects.â¨â¨Can Tessa help find the killer before another woman is found dead?â¨â¨Obsidian Murders is the first book in the all slaying, no laying Midnight Detective Agency urban fantasy series. If you enjoy a sassy main character, magical sidekicks, and puzzling mysteries, then you will love this novel. |
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âWhen in the city of the ancient ones, those from the endless darkness shall step through the flaming gate, HE shall come, from the shadows of the Dragons Wing, bearing the Eye and Horn of the Dragon. The land will sing with his passing and they will know fear that oppose him, for he is the Lord of the skies and protector of the Realm.â :The Child's Prophecy. T.E. 2147 The land of KilâTar has a long and bloody history of war between the Kayâtaari and the Asharâan. Aided by Dragonkind, the Kayâtaari have protected the world against the Asharâan and their demonic followers for many centuries. With demonkind banished to the Voids, and the Asharâan all but destroyed, KilâTar has enjoyed an era of peace. However, the seals binding the portals to the voids are failing, and the Asharâan are abroad once again. Both the Kayâtaari and Dragonkind are nowhere to be found on KilâTar. Can Valdieron, a young man raised in the small village of Shadowvale, fulfill his destiny and rid the lands of this menace once and for all, or will he falter, and condemn KilâTar to demonic destruction? |
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The Stranger of Ul Darak by S. C. Eston Sometimes saving a world means rebelling against it. In an age long forgotten, nineteen hundred and eighty-three Seals were forgedâmagical disks placed around the world to repel the cosmic chaos beyond. In the centuries that followed, the Sentinels were tasked with protecting those Seals. For countless generations, they succeeded. Until now. At six years old, ShĂŠana is recruited to the order of the Sentinels. A decade later, she displays powers unlike anything any Sentinel has shown before. When she feels the world stirring in pain, she knows the shield surrounding Tyronia has been breached. The great chain is broken. And the order of the Sentinels lies in discord. In the isolated village of Valdur, young Arth struggles to belong. Spurned by the other children, he ventures south to the endless mountains, and the strange barrier marking the edge of existence. The Final Horizon. Here he witnesses the impossible: a man emerging from beyond the veilâwhere nothing can possibly exist. A man Arth knows he must protect. Now the fate of two worlds rests on a knifeâs edge. Only the courage of a village boy and the power of a fledgling Sentinel can save them. But to save their worlds, they must reject all theyâve been taught, leaving behind everyone and everything theyâve ever known. |
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Legends say when the skies grow dark and scourge starves the land, a star will fall in order to save humanity. Only when the star is sacrificed at the end of their journey will light return. It's a cycleâone humanity refuses to break because stars are plentiful and their sacrifices easier than learning the true nature of the scourge. When Sol finally falls, it's not because of humanity. It's because he's had enough of watching his brethren be sacrificed. He has one goal: end humanity and end the cycle. Unfortunately, he has to pretend he cares before humans get wise. It doesn't matter how soft the princess who catches him isâCelena will be dead by the time his journey ends. Nor how kind his assigned companions areâthe outgoing Mira with her ballads, the brave Nebora with her axe, and the hero Loren with his soft voice and friendly smile. For centuries, humanity has lied and their kindness is a ruse to bring about Sol's own destruction at the end of his tale. He will not be fooled. No one cares about the cries of the stars they've destroyed over and over again and Sol will make sure this time, humanity is the one sacrificed. At least, that's the plan until his traitorous heart begins to care for the humans he sought to eradicate. |
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Of Shadows and Death by Sharlene Healy Rapunzel, Rapunzel. Let down your hair. I have heard my tale told. A story about a princess with long flowing hair trapped in a tower, saved by a handsome prince, who kills the wicked witch imprisoning her.â¨How sweet. How charming. How wrong.â¨Except for the hair, of course.â¨A fateful meeting with the Vampire King and my world shatters. All I'd ever known ground into dust. I must separate truth from lies and become who I am destined to be. Consequences be damned.â¨This is my story. A story of power. Love. Hope.â¨And above all?â¨Revenge. Of Shadows and Death is book one of the Five Queens Prophecy. It is a low-spice New Adult retelling of Rapunzel, with vampires and dark fantasy elements. It can be read as a standalone. It's perfect for fans of Tessonja Odette and Sarah J Maas! |
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At times creepy, funny, and frightening, and told deftly from a child's perspective, Od and Ed is a haunting and heartfelt suburban dark fantasy about a sister and brother that brings the 1980's to life in ways that feel both new and familiar. October 1988 In a moment of desperation Od pressed the button set deep in the wood of the scarebox, and unknowingly pushed Edâs soul out of his body. For some reason Edâs Body can still walk and talk, but it isnât behaving like Ed, and it refuses to leave the graveyard. Thrown into the supernatural currents running under her small town, Od soon realizes that her only ally may be Loney Scrobeâa strange classmate of hers whoâs surrounded by dark and disturbing rumors. Odâs not sure if she can trust Loney, but her brotherâs life hangs in the balanceâŚand she only has one night to put him back together again. |
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The Door to Trilesk by Shannon Holly Her family can travel to other dimensions through doors only they can see. But the key to saving those hidden worlds and her missing aunt lies in a childhood summer she canât remember and a power she didnât know she had. Kate shouldnât be here. Yet here she was, risking her momâs wrath, to come back to a house she canât remember. A house her estranged aunt lived in until her disappearance a year ago. A house her mom desperately tries to keep Kate from. But Kate canât resist the pull of the house as it draws her in and soon memories of a forgotten magical childhood summer spent with her aunt start to surface. Seeking answers, Kate discovers her auntâs hidden journal, locked away. Not sure what to expect, she begins to read and is soon lost in her auntâs tales of her adventures and danger on other worlds. She also learns her family comes from a long line of travelers and can travel to other dimensions through doors only they can see. When a powerful creature thunders down from a hole ripped in the sky and threatens Kate, she is left shaken with the possibility that her aunt may be alive, held captive for information in the journal that could end all worlds and Kate is the key to finding her. But first she must figure out how to see those doors⌠|
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Tea and Empathy by Shanna Swendson Welcome to Rydding, the hidden village you might stumble across if you need a home and a fresh start. For Elwyn Howell, the village is a lifesaver when she finds it just as sheâs run out of strength and hope while running for her life. The abandoned healerâs cottage welcomes her, even though sheâs given up on that calling. She opens a tea shop instead, using her knowledge of herbs and her empathic gift that allows her to select the perfect tea for each customer. Soon, sheâs feeling at home in the village community. Sheâs afraid itâs too good to last, a fear thatâs confirmed when she finds a wounded man unconscious in her garden. Was he sent by the people who are hunting her? Not even he knows, since he has no memory of who he is or how he got there. As she nurses him back to health, they develop a close bond, but the specter of both their pastsâthe one sheâs fleeing and the one he doesnât rememberâgets in the way. He doesnât know what life he may have left behind, and she lives in constant fear that her old life will catch up with her and sheâll end up convicted of a murder sheâs not entirely sure she didnât commit. They canât hide forever, not even in Rydding, and if they want to have a future, theyâll have to confront their pasts. A new cozy cottagecore romantic fantasy from the author of Enchanted, Inc. |
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Millennium of the Ocean Serpent by Seth Hobbs You know the story of the Sendyne Empire Trilogy. Now witness the breathtaking, meteoric rise of the legendary Kezzâarg Dynasty, and the world that knew their name well. In the vein of LOTR, Game of Thrones, or Star Wars, Part 1 of this 1,000 year history of an alternate universe comes to life, in a sprawling adventure of epic proportions! A millennium before the death of Kwisus Kezzâarg, our tale begins, just 50 years after the Great Adversity, a cataclysmic climate disaster that largely destroyed the corrupt Vannunkye in physical form, and freed humanity from the dark gods that once played with them as toys. When a mysterious and disfigured young man washes up on the shores of Upper Sendya, under bizarre circumstances, he changes the fate of the world forever. Kalligus happens to fulfill an obscure prophecy from the followers of Heavenâs Ocean and the Ocean Serpent religion, making him both a legend and a target of powerful tribes. His confidence only grows stronger, as his cunning wiles and ambition take him to heights undreamed of. First, he must overthrow the ruling class of Sendovians, but his greatest enemies may dwell in his own heartâand his own court. On other islands and continents, the rest of the world rebuilds in their own chosen images. In the Northeast, the Colders worship Absttathon, the rugged blizzard god, and they see Blizzardâs Zenith as the point where life begins. They inhabit a dangerous realm, but it forges the hardest of men. Vinn Sleethammer rules with a cold but pragmatic heart and two good swords, but numerous factions are pushing into the milder lands nearby. The War of Many is about to consume everyone in the East. The aftermath will alter many fates, including those in the West. Delve into the rich, enthralling history of this universe, and learn the esoteric origins of your favorite families and characters in this first entry to the prequel trilogy. A few secretive, fuming Vannunkye remain in this world, and they wish to return to their place as the overlords of mankind. Many audacious humans believe they can harness such power for their own ends, but conjuring the Vannunkye is like trying to pet a porcupineâŚand conjuring the dark lord, Lyawaath, is deadlier still. A legendary chronicle of the mythic origins, wars, religions, nations, empires, and politicians that paved the way for General Voxinusâs triumph in 967 A.G.A., an old sage recounts a brief history of this world. We kindly invite you to explore this dark and exciting periodâthe Millennium of the Ocean Serpent⌠|
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The Ballad of Sprikit The Bard (And Company) by Sean O'Boyle The Free Lands; a far off fantastical world full of noble warriors, gallant heroes and gentle souls. Sprikit The Bard is precisely none of these things. However heâs not without his own unique qualities. He enjoys the simple things in life; song, merriment and (mostly) victimless swindles. But this little Bard carries a secret. He has a mission to do, a promise to keep, as an elite force seeks to intercept him. The journey ahead is long and dangerous with hurdles aplenty; monstrous creatures, dastardly villains, laborious hikes and most of all - Sprikit himself. But heâs not without allies, reluctant and disdainful as they are. Help is help at the end of the day, and By the Notes does he need it. The clock is ticking. The cavalry is coming. And Sprikit The Bard doesnât know his arse from his elbow. Bards love to tell tales of adventures, but will Sprikit last long enough to recount his own? |
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Oathbreakers Anonymous by Scott Warren A knockout fantasy from author of The Dragonâs Banker. Pride comes before the fall. And when the great paladin Marluck of Kalash fell, he fell hard. Labeled an Oathbreaker and banished from the Temple of Fate, the once-champion had no idea why his goddess-given powers were stripped and his holy icon shattered. Only that a banished paladin can never return to the fold, and is doomed to eternal longing and misery. Bereft of his powers and cast down from his once-lofty heights, Marluck is rescued by the Oathbreakers Guild where other fallen paladins like himself meet to share their woes of banishment and pine for better days. But when a stranger in the group whispers of four holy sites where other Oathbreakers found favor once more, Marluck is helpless to resist the siren song of renewed succor within the fold of his goddess. Together with three other members of the groupâeach with demons of their ownâMarluck sets out on a do-or-die quest to unravel the mystery of his fall from grace, and discover what it means to be a champion. |
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To have faith is to believe not when everything is certain, but when nothing is. Living in a world with no sun, murderous bastards for leaders, and fighting being the highest form of entertainment, Raven has no faith left. Not in the people, not in the universe, and definitely not in herself. But when the deadliest chase of her life plunges her into a world ruled by sunlight, peace, and cities full of abundance, her lack of faith is challenged. Her arrival triggers a thousand-year-old prophecy that sets her on a path far more dangerous than anything she has ever faced before. To survive and find a way back, Raven must learn to play by the rules of this deadly place. The assassination attempts aren't a problem. The court intrigues aren't a problem. Even the dangerous king who seems obsessed with her isnât a problem. It is the thing that wakes beneath her skin that might prove to be her biggest challenge yet. To survive, she must make a choice. Answer the call she has been ignoring or return to the darkness that now whispers her name. Perfect for those who love epic adventures, high stakes, badass heroines, and swoon-worthy romance. |
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Rumor of Thorns by Sandell Wall Sinister tidings whisper from the deep forest. Promises of pain, and the glint of moonlight on thorns. Something foul stirs in the shadows. An unknown evil stalks the land, and five souls stand unwittingly in its path. Destiny has claimed them, even though they would not choose this battle for themselves. Together, they must stand against the encroaching darkness. In the end, it may claim them all. But here at the start, all they know is a rumor of thorns⌠|
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Rematch of the Titans by Samuel Gately In a world where a titan is worth only his latest victory in the ring, Scott Flawless is the envy of them all. Heâs dominant, fearless, and remarkably good-looking, at least according to him. But his self-proclaimed perfection will be challenged when he is dragged off to a far corner of the Open Nations. Here heâll battle a new host of dangers as he squares off with a ruthless syndicate run by his late father and an unscrupulous manager with a predilection towards chains. In a city where the dead refuse to stay that way, being Flawless may not be enough to survive. Rematch of the Titans is part of a complete two-book arc within the Titan Wars series along with its sequel The Jaws of Hell. Readers can begin the Titan Wars series with The Headlock of Destiny or dive in right here. |
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The Afterlife Experiment by Sam Weiss Previously published as Cynosura 99 by Sam Weiss. âThe night the moon bleeds is the night the world will end. Thereâs death in the moon. And the moon is you.â Atra Hart has spent the last seven years locked away in Vanishing Plains Psychiatric Hospital. In that time, her shadow has transformed into its own entity and is growing stronger by the day, threatening to devour her mind. She calls that shadow Dread, and only her missing father knows what it is. When a fire breaks out at the asylum, Atra makes her way to freedom just in time to see an electric-purple rift sunder the sky. Like Dread, the rift is only visible to her. Atraâs already loose grip on reality unravels when she learns the rift is a gateway to the world of the dead. And the Queen, an ancient evil lurking on its fringes, wants Dread for her own. Even worse, Atra canât tell if any of this is really happening. She might have escaped one asylum, but the closer she gets to unearthing answers about Dread, why her father knows itâs there, and its role in the Queenâs plans, the more she risks getting trapped inside her own mind forever. Maybe some truths are meant to stay buried. |
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Cursed Cocktails by S.L. Rowland When life gives you lemons, squeeze them into a stiff drink and stir. After twenty years defending the frozen north against some of the most dangerous threats in the nine kingdoms, Rhoren âBloodbaneâ has finally earned his retirement. While the blood mage's service to the realm may have ended, burning veins and aching joints remain, and Rhoren soon learns that a warmer climate offers relief from his chronic pain. And a chance at a fresh start. In the warm and relaxing atmosphere of Eastborne, the umbral elf finds a new purpose and a sense of belonging. He may have left the frozen north behind, but he brings with him the skills and strength gained from a lifetime of defending the realm. Along with his most prized possessionâa book of drink recipes inherited from his father. Spilled cocktails may not carry the same weight as spilled blood, but opening a tavern brings a unique brand of challenges. With the right friends and a little bit of luck, he might just have a recipe for success.â¨â¨Welcome to the enchanting world of Tales of Aedrea, where small-scale stories, low-stakes adventure, and cozy fantasy come to life within an epic, high-fantasy realm. |
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The Song of Thyssia by S.J. Stiles The Thyssian Archipelago rose from the deep as six treacherous islands. Islands that were forged from stone and sand, with kings and conquerors alike. Long ago, the gods gave each kingdom a relic to protect. In return, their peoples would remain safe from the servants of the Void. Years bled into centuries as their respect rotted into complacency. Thyssia, the mother island, sheltered three kingdoms on its soil as it reached across the sea. In the east, Trejenâs forests neatly encircled the verdant meadows while new trees crept closer each spring. Cerulean river lands carved through the island under the watchful eyes of house Spessia and everyone drank from its meandering depths. All of this was overshadowed by a solitary broken mountain. Their peopleâs separation from the gods fractured its stony face into a chasm, a wound that released any magic the mountain held within its stone. Their relic was ruined by abomination in the wake of Haydrianâs touch. Haydrian, an alchemist who relished in the hope of immortality. As the kingdoms of Thyssia disregarded their duty to the nine, so waned their fear of the Void. |
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The Last Lunar Witch by S.F. Henne I only wanted to control my magic, but a single potion catapulted my life into chaos⌠Iâm Nyssa Thornheart, a witch with broken magic. I escaped to the big city to pursue my passion for alchemy, and hide from my coven until I fix my powers.â¨â¨If my unstable gifts are exposed, they will be stripped away. To live without magic, thatâs a fate worse than death. So I drank a long-forgotten potion in a desperate bid to harness my volatile powers. But when Iâm cornered by thugs, I unleash a rare and dangerous magic, tearing the veil between our world and a demonic realm. My new powers are growing stronger and resist every attempt to subdue them.â¨â¨Now Iâm a hunted witch, pursued by both demonic creatures and authorities determined to protect our realm from the threat I pose. Can I master my magic, or will I have to sacrifice my powers before the city falls to demons? |
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Flight of an Orphan Thief by S. M. Radjy Living on the streets of Thapis, Ayla doesnât know where she really comes fromâand she tells herself she doesnât care. Her only concerns are to survive until the next day and keep her fiery temper in check. When she is framed by a redhead rat-excrement-for-brains who barely even qualifies as her nemesis and gets in trouble with the law, Ayla is given an unexpected second chance as a messenger for the wealthy Hammond merchant family that seems too good to be true. But just as she starts believing in fresh starts, Ayla finds herself ensnared in a cobweb of intrigue between Hammond House and their rival, Rouka House. When she embarks on her most critical mission yet, she is betrayed and caught. Thatâs when her feral nature, so far dormant, emerges. It puts Ayla on the wrong side of history, and she realizes she cannot go back to her old life until she figures out whoâand whatâshe really is. |
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Jayde Palmer considers herself a typical college student, but life is messy. The day before her 19th birthday, a chance meeting with a beautiful young man named Ice Monroe disrupts Jayde's plans for a quiet, relaxing summer. She assumes he's too good to be trueâuntil he calls. Jayde takes the bait, and things go well at first, but the relationship takes a bizarre turn when Ice drops a bombshell secret:â¨He is a magical human-feline shapeshifter, known as an immortal. As Jayde comes to terms with the existence of immortals and struggles to work out Ice's true intentions in dating her, a series of unexpected and uncomfortable encounters with a figure from his past leave Jayde increasingly unsure who she can trust or what she should do next. Even so, it's clear that something is wrong, and she may have no choice but to act on instinct. --- Sidetracked is part one of a four-part series about dark secrets, difficult decisions, strange dreams, a secret government program, and mental illness. With cats and a little bit of magic! |
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The Serpent's Quest by Nerine Dorman & Toby Bennett How long have the stars been the same? Longer than weary eyes may count. Tonight, a wanderer burns on the surface of Khusuâs pool, and soon all other lights will seem pale. How many ages have rolled since the gods have seen a sail from the world beyond? The rising sun shall rob them of their isolation. My time is coming. They called me fool, but none have known my pain. The pattern shifts; neither man nor god may know its final weaving. What some call madness, I call vision. I have seen, and now one comes â haunted, driven before the winds of a fate he dare not face. I have called the Serpent from his prison. A man of war, seeking peace, yet disease and ruin will follow in his wake. What he bears will cast a shadow to drown the distant lights of Tel Aphos and make the gods who dwell there remember fear. All that remains is to find the one to serve me when the general falls. Is that you Hetephes? Are you to be my handmaiden or will you choose your false father? So many others have failed. You are restless in your narrow bed. Do you sense me watching? Do you dream? Should not the God of Visions and Crossroads know? It is selfish not to share. It matters not! The ships are here, the star returns, and no noviceâs dream could encompass what is to come⌠If you want to know that, you must share The Serpentâs Quest. |
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Nominated For A 2023 Whitney Awardâ¨â¨"Cooper has written a masterpiece! This author has an uncanny ability to weave together intricate plot lines and complex characters that will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. You can put this book down once you've devoured every last page." - Midwest Book Reviewâ¨â¨"A tale of transformation and the triumph of the human spirit... a must-read for anyone who craves a captivating blend of romance, fantasy, and adventure, with characters who leap off the page and into your heart." - A Look Inside: Books, Movies & Music When Ellie Forth sets out to have a great Alaskan adventure with her remaining family members, sheâs got something to proveâand not to them, but to herself. Four years after the unexpected death of her mother and sister, sheâs ready to re-embrace her adventurous side. Oliver Coleâs life, on the other hand, is very simple: go to work, catch fish, come home, and stash every penny earned into his bank account so he can afford to pay for college. But his life is turned upside down when Ellie and her brotherâtwo nearly-forgotten acquaintances from his childhoodâburst back into his life. After a horrific encounter with the supernatural deep in the Kenai Peninsula, Ellie and Oliver must team up to discover the truth about what happened in Portlock, and how to fight a rising tide of evil that has the power to envelop not just Alaska, but the entire world. A stunning debut, Silverskin is a blend of fantasy, suspense, and the supernatural. With Hallmark-meets-Hitchcock vibes, the adventure and sweet romance in this book will keep you up turning pages well past your bedtime. It features strong female and male leads, low-spice friends-to-lovers romance, found family themes, and more. |