SPFBO6 Self-published Fantasy Blog-Off Entries 2020
Entries into Mark Lawrence's Self-published Fantasy Blog-off in 2020 (the 6th year of the contest).
Eiagan's Winter (The History of Goranin) by M.J. Padgett The land of Goranin has survived the rule of the dreaded Allurigard bloodline for centuries. Suffering perpetual winter at the hands of a tyrannical, bloodthirsty queen, the people seek out a savior to restore their land to its former glory. They find one in Moriarian of Varrow. Moriarian makes grand promises, and the people of Goranin invite him in as their new leader.Eiagan Allurigard, the feared dragon-riding Winter Queen, wants nothing more than peace and quiet. Her people push her to the edge, stage uprisings, and revolt against her absolute authority. When her immortality is stolen and Moriarian attacks, Eiagan barely escapes her castle alive. With a gaping abdominal wound and nowhere to hide, she seeks out an unlikely ally in her quest to reclaim her throne. Moriarianâs promise of salvation is too good to be true, and the people are subjugated to a fate worse than death. As Moriarian ravages her land, Eiagan seeks revenge against him and those who betrayed her. Haunted by memories of her past, Eiagan joins forces with a band of rebels, a healer who believes he can save her blackened soul, and a den of dragon-shifters determined to free the land of oppression once and for all.Traitors, a wicked sorcerer, and deadly creatures threaten their survival, but the queen is determined to win back her birthright at all costsâeven if it means sacrificing everything. |
Lazarus Code (First Family Saga #1) by Sharon Van Orman "I am Ryder of the Pentimalli, a member of the first families and Captain of the deep space exploration vessel, Serendipity." In the centuries since our forefathers tamed an uncivilized land and revolted against a King we had grown complacent. When our government waged cyber war on us the spirit of those long dead patriots was ignited, sparking a second revolutionary war. It was then that the First Families were born. Genetically enhanced humans who carried within our blood stream nano-bots that repair and regenerate. We were meant to be the record keepers. The vanguard of our species as we spread across time and space. I have returned home after a decades long mission to find Earth devastated by the Weeping Death. A disease that has made it possible for the dead to rise. With the help of my brothers and my crew we will find who is responsible. They expected us to be complacent. They were wrong. |
Prince of Shadow and Ash (The Mercenary and the Mage #1) by Selina R. Gonzalez Bastard and former mercenary Lord Regulus Hargreaves just wants to earn his freedom from the sorcerer who enslaved him. When Lady Adelaide sees past his scar and his shadowed past, Regulusâ dying hope rekindles. But will loving Adelaide while serving the Prince of Shadow and Ash put her in danger? Adelaide Belanger longs to use the magical energy within her, but revealing her power could get her killed. When she meets kind and rugged Regulus, she wonders if she has finally found someone to trust with her secretâand her heart. Regulus and Adelaide struggle to build a relationship and keep their secrets from those who would harm them. By the time Regulusâ and Adelaideâs secrets are revealed, it may be too late for them both... |
A Tale of Infidels by Erik A. Otto A WORLD RIFE WITH RELIGIOUS PREJUDICE Where cryptic prophesies of gravity-defying events and stories of mythical beasts are regular undercurrents to daily life. POLITICAL TENSIONS ARE MOUNTING War has sprung, troops are mobilizing, and the omens are clear. AND NOW, INFIDELS ARE EMERGING Sinners and traitors are being cast out. These are despicable liars. They are twisted, half-wit heathens. They are deceitful scum⊠âŠand theyâre the only ones that could save millions of lives. |
Tommy Black and the Staff of Light (Tommy Black #1) by Jake Kerr A magical legacy that isn't what it seems! For fourteen-year-old Tommy Black, nothing is worse than being raised by an overprotective grandfather in the city that never sleeps. That is until his grandfather is captured by magical creatures and Tommy has to save him with his family's magical staff. That wouldn't be so bad, but the only magic he can do with the staff is weak--making light. What the heck can you do with light? Tommy finds out as he fights golems, shadow creatures, and djinn in a journey that features a magical river, an enchanted train, and an illusionary fortress. But the worst part of all? Tommy has to save his grandfather with the help of Naomi, a girl whose talent with magic is only rivaled by her ability to hurl insults. From Nebula, Sturgeon, and Million Writers Award nominee Jake Kerr comes the Tommy Black trilogy, an action adventure series for readers of all ages. |
Forged in Shadow (The War of the Nine Faerie Realms #1) by Megan Haskell In the chaos of war, not all heroes shine. Some must rise from shadows to claim the light. As the youngest son of the greatest smith of the fae, Curuthannor should be aspiring to the forge. Instead, he would rather wield a blade than craft one. When the high elf king commissions a powerful enchanted sword requiring iron found only in the subterranean goblin mines of the Shadow Realm, Curuthannor seizes the opportunity to earn a place in the smithy that doesnât require a hammer. But when dark elf treachery interferes, the lives of his entire family could be at risk...for the high elf king is unmerciful and will not suffer disobedience. Especially from his own daughter. LhĂ©wen is honored to be the only handmaiden selected to attend the high elf princess on what she believes is a diplomatic delegation to the dark elf king. She doesnât realize it could be a one-way trip. While the princess forges an escape from her fatherâs ruthless will, LhĂ©wen is trapped in a foreign land. Betrayed and alone, LhĂ©wen discovers it is her own quiet power that may freeâor doomâthem all. For when the pen fails, the sword will take its place. Forged in Shadow is the first book in the thrilling new epic fantasy trilogy by award-winning author, Megan Haskell. Set in the same universe as The Sanyare Chronicles, this is the story of the Great War between the nine faerie realms. If you like sweeping vistas, unexpected heroes, and world-shattering stakes, youâll love this battle between Shadow and Light. |
Oath Sworn (Wolf's Oath #1) by Meg MacDonald One manâs oath. One boyâs sacred duty. One enemy bent on their destruction. Soldier and statesman, Aralt syr Tremayne has finally laid to rest the ghosts of his past. He could no more have prevented the death of the Kavistraâs sons than the death of his own brother. Now, the grave has given one of them up. Araltâs world is thrown into tumult when Lian Kynsei, last of a soul-touched clan and scion of a religious dynasty, returns and Aralt is oath sworn to protect the boyâs interests. But Lian is also a traumatized boy whose secrets rival Araltâs own. And neither of them are telling the truth. Oath Sworn begins the Wolf's Oath trilogy, a gothic gaslamp fantasy filled with unforgettable characters and a richly-drawn world where skyships sail above tidal extremes, and crystal swords are tuned to their ownerâs souls. Follow this riveting adventure as one man is forced to choose between duty and his lust for revenge. |
A New Beginning by J E Thompson Ya ever tangled with goblins? Vexx White is a down on his luck apprentice mage, recently expelled from Fallanden Magical Academy for experimenting with necromancy. With nothing to lose, he becomes a dungeoneer for hireâtaking odd jobs in his home town of Cloudbury for pocket change. Nine out of ten dungeoneers die in their first ten quests, and to survive Vexx finds himself teaming up with a clumsy elf and a crazed succubus. When theyâre not busy trying to kill each other, the dungeoneers drum up all the work they can get, from raiding dungeons to hunting down thieves. Vexxâs adventures take him from the seedier parts of Cloudbury to the goblin-infested Lifeless Hills in search of gold and glory. But if he wants to live up to his hero, the legendary dungeoneer Dred Wyrm, what other choice is there? A New Beginning is the first book in The White Chronicles series, a humorous fantasy sword and sorcery adventure that will be followed by the sequel The Shattered Seagull in July 2020. |
Shimon of the Stars (Neon Red, #1) by Gabriel What is the thought process of someone seeing their family again after a near-decade? Shimon Astrai has been resident of modern Pangaea until the age of eight. One day, while on vacation with his family, he enters a parallel world on accident - the Demon Realm, inhabited by savage creatures and conditions that dictate to kill or be killed. Nine years later, the now 17-year old boy receives the unique chance to return back to the Human Realm. After accepting, Shimon finds himself overlooking Cherize City, the bustling metropolis that used to be his hometown. Equipped with abilities from the other world like immense strength, speed and a seeming aversion to gravity - but also complete obliviousness to social norms, language and the modern world in general - Shimon enters the grand city with one desire in mind: reuniting with his family that lost him all those years ago. |
The Lure of Fools (The Age of the Infinite #1) by Jason James King âAdventure is the lure of fools, and excitement glamour to the gullible. The siren song of the world is as music to the wandererâs feet, but that dance leads only to the soul-less grave.â So Jekaranâs uncle has warned him. But that doesnât stop him from leaping at the exhilarating chance to single-handedly rescue a beautiful woman from a gang of lecherous thieves. But the bored farm boy quickly finds that he is no match for the group of angry street thugs, and only escapes death by bonding a magical sword that grants him the strength and skill of a master swordsman. Unfortunately, a peasant wielding such magic is forbidden and punishable by death. Thus Jekaran finds himself a fugitive with his fate tied to that of the exotic and mysterious, Kairah; a fey woman who must deliver a dire warning to the king that, if heeded, could prevent the very extinction of humanity. |
Birth of the Dawnhawk by Z. Apollo, M. J. Northwood Energy binds everyone in the great continent of Amasia. Thatâs what the most religious would have people believe. Energy can be shaped. Energy can be destroyed. Many in the world have the ability to energy shape, controlling the elements around them in any way they see fit. However, only five are Blessed with unique power. The power to defeat Insanity. For over a 1000 years the Motherâs Blessing has watched over Amasia, entrapping the Insanity, as itâs passed down from generation to generation in the form of the Blessed. Theyâre powerful. Theyâre impossible, and theyâre the worldâs only hope. It was said that there would be five at one time with remarkable powers that would one day come together and save the world from Insanity. Throughout history there had been many famous individuals all over the continent with the marking to show their Blessing, whether they were an immortal of the High Vilmar or a Drakonian on the Birthing Isles. These Blessings passed down from generation to generation, never truly being used for their purpose, until now. |
Stolen Luck (The Chanmyr Chronicles #0) by T.J. Muir After an age of silence, the gods stir, and one man is listening... Even though Haki is the younger son of a powerful ruler, he feels the gods calling him to greatness. Clever and devout, he knows he is better suited to rule. Then a whisper in the back of Haki's mind calls to him. Could it be the gods be speaking? That belief turns into a dark driving force. Haki must prove he has been chosen to lead the realm. His desire pushes him to the edge of madness. Craving recognition, Haki tries to prove his worth while protecting his family from political scandal. He sees everything as a test to prove he is destined to sit on the throne. Will the choices he makes damn his soul or redeem the world? Stolen Luck is the prequel novel in the compelling Chanmyr Chronicles epic fantasy series. If you like diabolical characters, gritty worlds, and intrigue, then youâll love TJ Muirâs captivating prequel tale. |
Daughter of Havenglade (Daughter of Havenglade #1) by H.C. Harrington An Epic Quest Through The Magical World of Havenglade A sinister wizard. A mysterious teacher. A kingdom on the brink of collapse. In the ancient kingdom of Havenglade, a brutal enemy is ravaging the countryside making his way closer to Gradur Castle. An aging king seeks protection from a council of loyal wizards. A peasant girl finds herself at the center of it all after bonding with a magical crystal and absorbing its magical essence. After losing her parents, Laurena was given the chance of a lifetime to study wizardry under the mysterious and renowned teacher Unai. Can she learn to harness the powers inside her before it's too late? |
Last Memoria (Memoria Duology #1) by Rachel Emma Shaw A character driven and heartbreaking, dark-fantasy thriller about flawed people making flawed decisions. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind meets Joe Abercrombie. SPFBO 2020 Finalist. Sarilla has learnt one thing from stealing memories. Everybody lies. There's nothing Sarilla hates more than stealing memories, but the king forces her to take them to keep his subjects in line. She wants to escape to where nobody knows what she is or what she can do, but her plans go awry when she runs into Falon. Falon has a six month void in his memories that he's desperate to restore. He doesn't know why they were taken or what they contained, nor why the man he loves is acting so cagily about what happened during that time. He hopes to use Sarilla to get back his stolen memories and doesn't care what she wants or why she's desperate to escape. She will help him get them back, whether she wants to or not. |
Flight Of The SkyCricket: Relics of Errus, Volume 1 by Gordon Greenhill In our world, science and mythology are mortal enemies. But what if a world existed where they were the same thing? In this first volume of The Relics of Errus, Flight of the SkyCricket, three sisters-Eli, Anna, and Rose Hoover-stumble through a window in the wine cellar of an old Victorian house and find themselves in Errus, a world where natural disasters give birth to mythological creatures-some harmless, some horrific. Caught up in a quest involving impassable deserts, dangerous jungles, dark mountainous caverns, and a menagerie of dwarfs, fairies, knights, and quirky scientists, they search for the mythical Well of the sea goddess Therra, which seems to be their only way home. Trapped in a world that births fairies from windstorms and dwarfs from earthquakes, everything rests on finding the lost Well... if it even exists. Both the pious and skeptic make their case along the way, but belief may not always be something you choose-sometimes it is something that happens to you. |
Og-Grim-Dog: The Three-Headed Ogre (Me Three #1) by Jamie Edmundson Two heads are better than one. Three can be a real pain in the arse. We are Og-Grim-Dog! We have been loved and reviled! We have been the Hero of the Hour, the Darkest Villain, and everything in between! We have saved this world and travelled to worlds beyond it! You think you can distil the life of Og-Grim-Dog into some words on a page? When a stranger visits their inn, the regulars are in for a surprise. Did their Landlord really come here from Galâazuâthe dangerous, edgier province to the east? Could it be that his stories, so fanciful and fantastical, were episodes from his previous life? When their Landlord is persuaded to have his life story recorded for posterity, the surprises come thick and fast. Just like his regulars, you too can learn how a three-headed ogre came to be a hero. Unlike them, you don't stand to be killed if it all goes wrong... |
Of Fractured Lands and Sundered Dreams (Almodel's Awakening #1) by E.D. Lazure The Fimaransâ attempt to overthrow their god backfires. As ghastly creatures begin to fill Fimara and the worldâs oceans, Fimarans have no choice but to invade neighboring Odi-Lodo, home of the Dwarfs. Centuries later, facing a revolt by the enslaved Dwarfs, Faija Soothing Wind must find the will to survive and to embrace motherhood. On the run with her daughter, she meets an ailing slave claiming a divine mission which would lead north to Fimara, the accursed land of her ancestors. Beyond the horizon, the nations of Oria, discovering that monsters no longer haunt the seas, race to send ships over uncharted waters. Survivors of a shipwrecked expedition, historian Tellorym Lewyn, Sister Mikala, and Raysho of Alyth land on Dolixa, where the ruling shamans refuse to embrace the Dreamerâs prophecy regarding the arrival of seafarers and the impending transformation of both Dolixa and Fimara. The first book in the Almodelâs Awakening trilogy, Of fractured lands and sundered dreams is inspired by classic tragedies where proud characters must pay a steep price for their hubris while others choose to embrace sacrifice in an uncertain pursuit of salvation. With mature themes and limited fantasy elements, the story revolves around deeply flawed characters facing unimaginable circumstances and unforgiving decisions. |
Across the Broken Stars by Jed Herne LEON HAS A SECRET. He was once an angel â a winged warrior sworn to protect Paya, a realm where people live on discs that float in space. He failed. Now, Leonâs a broken man, trying to forget the past. He thinks heâs the last angel. But then a young fugitive stumbles onto Leonâs doorstep. Sheâs an angel, too. And she has a riddle leading to a place where angels still live. Or so the stories claim ... Desperate for redemption, Leon begins a perilous quest through myth and folklore. But will Leon and the fugitive find their legendary destination? Or will Leon lose his last chance for salvation? Brutal and gripping, this is a story about a flawed manâs search for forgiveness, set against the backdrop of an incredible world. |
The One Who Could Not Fly (The Wing Cycle, #1) by E.G. Stone For generations, sylphs have lived isolated on the island of Shinalea, forgotten by the world. But they, too, have forgotten their past. Until it rears its head and changes the very foundations of their world⊠Ravenna has grown up isolated and ostracised amongst the sylphs for her small wing size and her unusual colouring. She lives with the Intellecti, a collection of sylphs dedicated to learning, to facts, to history, to thought. But she feels most free when she runs through the trees of her beloved home. Until, that is, she comes across beings that should have been myth. Humans. Captured, Ravenna is taken from her home and into the vastness of the desert mainland. She is sold into slavery and thrown into a world that proves everything she knew about the humans right: they are nothing more than the cruel, bloodthirsty beings that filled sylph myths with horror. Until, that is, Ravenna makes a single mistake. She falls. Suddenly, the world is not quite what she knew. Ravenna is thrust into this world of humans and their schemings for power, their political machinations, their hopes, their dreams. Ravenna must decide whether humans are the nightmares of her peopleâs legends or just beings like her, finding their place in an unexpected world. And she must decide whether to save her world, or to destroy it. The One Who Could Not Fly is an exciting fantasy adventure that asks questions of family, of independence, and of what it really means to fly. |
Fire Within by Morten W. Simonsen The end of the Taroshian Empire is near. It starts with a thousand howling wolfmen, streaming across the Red Strait to exact vengeance. It starts with secrets, with a missing wife and son and a covered-up murder. It starts with treachery, sown deep into every layer of human society. Conflict within and war abroad strain the Empire's resources. Were she to fall, it might not only mean the end of an era, it might be the end of mankind. An epic fantasy set in a grim world on the brink of an environmental crisis. Mother Earth calls for justice. Fire Within grabs hold of readers and doesn't let go until the last sentence. A fantastical debut from Morten Simonsen that will leave you begging for more -Victoria Chandler, Chandler Editing |
The Phoenix Prince (Royal Blood #1) by Kristen Gupton Prince Keiran no more wishes to be king than he wants to be a vampire. Unfortunately, both fates were determined at his birth. He's spent the last twenty-three years trying to ignore his vampirism, but he can no longer ignore the throne. His father has died, and in seven days, Keiran will be made King of Tordania. The late king's adviser, the demon-summoner Peirte Methaius, has other ideas. He wants the throne for himself. He publicly opposes the notion of a vampire king, and there are others sympathetic to that view. They don't want Tordania to suffer the same horrible fate as other vampire-led realms. Keiran, already in failing health due to his abstinence from human blood, is now the target of an assassination plot. Opposing Peirte might prove too much for him to bear. It might be too much for Tordania, too, with the people so divided. But the alternative is to let the country fall under the spell of Peirte's black magic, and Keiran can't allow that. He never wanted to be king, but he's always been a patriot, and he'll do whatever it takes to save his people. |
Austin Wyrd (Valhalla AWOL #1) by Steve Curry Has his past finally caught up with Magnus? All he wanted was to spend the remainder of his time on this earth in a nice, quiet, safe job, like being a bouncer for a Goth and Heavy Metal bar in Austin, Texas. But that proves difficult once police start investigating a ritualistic looking murder behind the bar. Can Magnus clear his boss of any connection to the crime, while avoiding the attention of Police, overly curious government agents, and the wife and bandmates of the victim. That doesnât even count his psychotic ex-girlfriend with potent mystical powers and an immortal and vengeful ex-employer.Even with the help of his wealthy, powerful, or conniving friends, his own âalt-naturalâ abilities, and the dubious help of his pets, can Magnus maintain his freedom and remain hidden? Can he stay unentangled with the handful of exciting and alluring women around the case? And can someone please explain how the Raven is learning to speak Norse? |
Night of the Bloody Tines (Klinghammer Saga #1) by Rogan Feltmate ENTER the city-state of Klinghammer, a former global superpower run by old guilds and older families. Its archaic corporatist government is the last of its kind, and Lord Mayor Trav Pinion sees the writing on the wall. With a pending bid to join the Concert of Tinesâan international economic and military allianceâKlinghammer is on the cusp of taking its seat on the global stage once more. However, the Corporationâs repressive policies against magic have sparked outrage across the land, prompting Kasters to rise up⊠Amid the tumult, Chelsi Ashbruner applies for an internship at Guildhall, and gets much more than she bargained for. She is hired as the Auxiliary to Airn Dutta, an up-and-coming political luminary and a descendant of the Cityâs most powerful industrial dynasty. An attempt on the Lord Mayorâs life ignites a political powder keg, threatening to expose Klinghammerâs dirtiest secrets. An aged vigilante, a legendary swordsman, and a detective fallen from grace, are forced from retirement. Along with Chelsi and Airn, theyâll soon discover whether the City can survive its past when confronted by its eldest foes⊠|
Heir of the Curse (The Kyona Chronicles #1) by Deborah Grace White Kyonaâs lost heir is foundâbut his birthright might be his greatest curse Calinnaeâs world is shattered when a discovery about his best friend Jonan brings the kingâs soldiers down on both families. Barely avoiding their pursuers, the two friends escape with nothing but each other, and the stories of the past they grew up with. Stories that might hold answers, if they turn out to be more than just legends. Still hunted, they set out for Kyonaâs infamous mountains, assisted by Elnora, an unlikely rescuer with mysteries of her own. They hope to find answers, perhaps even the dragons of legend, whose magic might be the key to restoring Kyonaâs ancient bloodline. But the mountains hold more than just magicâthey hold a secret that none of the friends are prepared for. And Calinnaeâs response, as much as Jonanâs, will decide whether the kingdom stands or falls. If you enjoy adventure, fantasy, mystery, and clean romance, discover the world of the Kyona Chronicles today. Heir of the Curse is the first of six installments in the series. |
Wielder's Prize (Wielder's Prize #1) by Elle Cardy Snatched from the only home sheâs ever known aboard the Wielderâs Prize, Jasmine is forced to work as a crew member of a different ship. To survive, Jasmine must dodge her captor who has a personal vendetta against her, outsmart a fearsome magic wielder who has taken a dangerous interest in her, and get back to her ship. Somehow. Just when she thinks things couldnât get worse, she learns she too is a wielderâan untrained wielder who is a threat to everyone on board if she canât control her magic. And sheâs not the only out-of-control wielder on the high seas. The secret of that wielder could shatter everything Jasmine thought she knew. Time and hope is running out. At any cost, she must get back to her ship and discover the truth behind all the secrets before everything is lost. |
A King's Bargain (Legend of Tal #1) by J.D.L. Rosell The legend of Tal Harrenfel is sung across the Westreach - and with each telling, the tales grow taller. But though heâs declared a hero by his King, Tal has never claimed to be more than a man... After three decades of fighting warlocks, killing mythical beasts, and hunting enchanted treasure, Tal has had enough. Running from the deeds of his past, he retreats to his home village under a different name and meets an unlikely companion: Garin, a village boy who dreams of making a name for himself and seeing the world beyond their sleepy town. When Tal receives a mysterious visitor, both he and Garin find themselves thrown into a sojourn across the kingdom. Soon, they become embroiled in the plots of monarchs, on the frontlines of an ancient war, and at the mercy of a fabled sorcerer. Now Tal must live up to his legend, and Garin discover his own power, to survive the forces pitted against them⊠|
Eye of Obscurance (Fate of Wizardoms #1) by Jeffrey L. Kohanek SPFBO 2020 Semifinalist In a realm where wizards rule, magic reigns supreme. Power. The ambitious thirst for it. In a realm where wizards rule, those able to claim a throne are granted the power of a god. How can one defeat a god? A clever thief, a determined acrobat, and a troubled dwarf are joined by an old storyteller as they attempt the impossible: Assassinate a wizard lord. Their slim hope lies in the power of an enchanted amulet, the Eye of Obscurance. These unwitting pawns are trapped in a contest of wizards. The stakes: The fate of the world. From bestselling author Jeffrey L. Kohanek comes the first novel in an epic fantasy saga where magic reigns, wizards thirst for power, and the world teeters on the edge of breaking, perfect for readers who enjoy Patrick Rothfuss, Brandon Sanderson, or Robert Jordan. |
Storm's Breath (Nullifier #1) by J.R. Ford Someone who didnât know Pavel might mistake his heroic bravery for a death wish, and thereâs no better place for either than the worldâs first fully immersive game. Sure enough, the competitors are intimidating, and the monsters terrifying â though neither more so than blossoming friendships with two determined swordswomen. Spurred by pure-hearted altruism alone, Pavel joins their quest to find the Stormâs Breath: an artifact that bestows magic powers â and real-world riches â upon the first player to find it. And with a ruthless mage on their heels, heâll find plenty of opportunities for bravery. |
Lords of Deception (War of Four Kingdoms 1) by Christopher C. Fuchs Emperors and kings thought it had been buried long ago: the Order of the Candlestone was defeated, the grim deeds of its assassins forgotten and its dangerous alchemy shunned. But Arasemis, an eccentric warrior-scholar, is determined to revive the Order and return the continent to its primitive origins, if he can control his apprentices. Arthan Valient is a young nobleman from a respected family who wrestles with providing honorable service to a weak king. Thrust into a powerful position before he is ready, Arthan must navigate the political intrigue of a court in slow collapse, while avoiding Arasemisâs new assassins. Arasemis, Arthan, and their companions learn that help can be found in the most unlikely of places, even as the shadow of war looms across the continent. But trust is always elusive. |
Burning Embers (The Shadows Return, #1) by Fiona Jeeves The empire has been crumbling for three hundred years. But among the kingdoms fighting for dominance, Feia must learn that the most powerful thing in any world, is to be able to accept and love who you are. Abandoned as an infant at a Temple, it is time for Feia to break free. Persecuted and held at knife-point, she is forced to defend herself and destructive magic awakens within. This new power brings premonitions of her homeland, Arngeir destroyed by a mysterious army. In order to warn the nobility, and save Arngeir, Feia must leave everything behind and make the dangerous journey north. Beyond the Temple boundaries there is no protection from the elements, the dangers of the road or the Champions of Light, hunters of anyone who dares to be different. Her power could be her salvation or her damnation. A young adult fantasy, with danger, romance and a desperate need for self-discovery. |
Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows (The Elandrian Chronicles #1) by J.M. Bergen Thomas thinks he's an ordinary twelve year old, but when a strange little man with gold-flecked eyes gives him an ancient text called The Book of Sorrows, the world he knows is turned upside down. Suddenly heâs faced with a secret family legacy, powers he can hardly begin to understand, and an enemy bent on destroying everything he holds dear. The more he reads and discovers, the deeper the danger to himself and the people he loves. As the race to the final showdown unfolds, Thomas must turn to trusted friends and uncertain allies as he seeks to prevent destruction at an epic scale. |
Fade (The Faders #1) by E.G. Bateman An invisible enemy. A mysterious school. Can a troubled teen use her incredible powers to uncover the deadly truth? As the only child of a widowed father, Jenna Banks has learned to handle whatever the world throws her way. But when she encounters a strange boy who vanishes before her eyes, she never expected sparks of electricity to leap from her fingertips in response. Confused by her strange new ability, she barely has time to process the freak accident that kills her father and leaves her an orphan. Devastated and alone, sheâs sent to a prestigious academy filled with bloody deeds and dark secrets. As she meets her classmates, Jenna learns sheâs not the only one with powers. But until she controls her strange gift, sheâll never be able to track the vanishing creature bent on turning her world upside down. Can Jenna survive the school long enough to hunt down her target before her future fades away? Fade is the first book in an electrifying YA urban fantasy trilogy. If you like headstrong heroines, paranormal powers, and jaw-dropping twists, then youâll love E. G. Batemanâs exciting coming-of-age adventure. |
The Sword of Wisimir by Allen Stroud Opportunistic thief, Jack Von Drey thinks his luck is in when he steals the Governor's taxes from the back of a treasury wagon. But it turns out, this is a game with higher stakes than he bargained for. City Minister, Urin Braymes makes one bad decision. Unfortunately for him, it opens him up to being blackmailed for the rest of his life. Magister Leel's scheme to recapture his position of power seems to be right on track. But, when he makes a bargain, he finds he has unleashed magic that even a wizard cannot control. And Jarno Herren? Well he just wants to find out the truth. The Sword of Wisimir is a fantasy tale of crime, intrigue, life and death. Where ideals are cheap and, in the end, everyone finds out what they'd sacrifice to survive... |
Aftan Whispers (Estalia Book 3) by Phil Williams He didn't know how savage the world was - until he met Deni. As the days grow darker in the Estalian Empire, young Tyler stays positive by helping others. But when he meets a girl on the run with enemies in the highest places, Tyler's life gets complicated fast. Deni isn't afraid to kill, and sheâs got a secret that could tear apart the sky. In a mortal chase that takes them from a besieged city across the war-torn countryside, Tyler soon discovers that the Empireâs guardians are their most dangerous foe. Worse still, Deni is faced with a terrible choice: remain hidden and save herself - or expose herself to prevent the oncoming darkness. If you're looking for a visceral ride packed with steampunk machines, stunning action sequences and ambiguous moral choices, youâll love Phil Williamsâ latest post-apocalyptic adventure. |
On Winter's Eve by C.D. Alexander Winters in Bern are long and cold and deep. On winter nights, when the snow is falling, Pippa goes to sleep knowing sheâll wake up to tracks in front of her farmhouse. The tracks are small, and they come from the woodsâthose same woods that her mother says are full of witches and elves and trolls, and her father says are full of wolves and bears and demons. But these tracks are the Tompteâs, and he is a friendly creature. Or at least thatâs what Pippa hopes. . . The Tompte borrows and mends things, he takes and he sometimes leaves things, and such is life on a farm at the edge of the realm. Her mother calls it tradition. Her father calls it a curse. And when things start going missing and trouble comes their way, Pippaâs not sure what to believe. Soon enough, she'll have no choice but to go into the woods to find out. . . |
Blood of Kings by Paul Freeman Heroes will rise, kingdoms will fall. In a world of violence, magic and rivalries, change is sweeping across the lands. To the north the sea raiders of the Pirate Isles are jostling for position in the race to see who will succeed their dying king. The claim of Jarl Crawulf of Wind Isle is to the fore, but there are those who would seek to damage his reputation in a treacherous game of power. While in the Duchies to the south an ambitious duke is intent on increasing his position and wealth by invading the lands of the feared dream-witch, a dangerous and lethal enemy. Caught in the midst of all this turmoil and upheaval is a blacksmith and his wife - a village healer. Arrested for witchcraft and sentenced to burn Aliss is pulled from the flames by her husband. Tomas then seeks the aid of a dark witch to heal her terrible injuries. Fugitives from the law, and cursed by dark magic, their love for each other and loyalties to those who would use them will be tested to the limit. |
Ăroreh (The Ealdspell Cycle #1) by Jesikah Sundin She wants to choose her happily ever after. He wants to remake his once upon a time. Only magic can re-spin their tales. Princess Ăroreh Rosen was faerie blessed before her birth. To promote the New Dawn Era, the Queen coded her daughter with every feminine perfection. Beauty. Gentleness. Obedience. Musicality. Kindness. Grace. Good cheer. Hunger and lung sickness plague the Kingdom of Ealdspell. But Ăroreh is plugged into The Dream, a program created by a sect of faeries to control the realms through illusions of beauty and contentment. All Ăroreh has ever known is blissful servitude to a cursed system, and she believes her realm is prospering. Until a different faerie sect decides to wake her sleeping mind and set her true magic free. Meanwhile, FĂ©lip Batten MacKinley holds a dangerous secret. One made more threatening by the frostbite scar across his cheek. Heâs spit on, beaten, and demonized by a community that values a pretty face over all else. With no easy future in sight, he accepts that heâll die a burden to his foster parents, his true history erased. But a tempting offer from the faerieâs Fate Maker leads FĂ©lip to cross paths with the hauntingly beautiful Ărorehâa young woman who represents all he loathes. Yet only she has the power to awaken a new Dream. Ăroreh is a gritty spin on the romantic tale of Sleeping Beauty and blends faerie magic and pagan ritual with high technology. For fans of Sarah J. Maas, Holly Black, fairy tales, and young adult dystopian fantasy. NAME PRONOUNCED like Aurora. EBOOK featured in the The Kingdom of Thorns & Dreams anthology (A limited edition of Sleeping Beauty retellings) |
Free Agent (Chronicles of Myelad #1) by Rohan M. Vider The start of an epic fantasy adventure... Of a game played between gods where the playing field is the world itself and the pieces, living beings. A young man is caught unwittingly between, in a strange world, without allies or help, and must battle for survival using his wits and magic alone. Pawn or Player...his fate is his to decide...which will he prove to be? Accidentally summoned from Earth to the world of Myelad, Kyran becomes embroiled in an eons-old war between the gods. Earning their ire, he is sentenced to die. To escape the gods' trap, Kyran must become a player in their game that even the gods would learn to fear... For those who enjoy epic tales of fantasy, this is a coming of age story of Kyran Seversan, a young man from Earth, stranded in another world where magic not only exists, but is part of an elaborate game between immortals. Please note this is an adaptation of the original works, the Gods' Game. Enter the world of Myelad and join Kyran on his epic journey! |
Night Latch (The Locksmith #1) by Anela Deen Sam Alvarez doesnât just open locks. Heâs the key. Living in Bellemer, Iowa, Sam leads a typical small-town life. When heâs not looking after his Nana or dealing with his motherâs expectations, he runs a one-man locksmith company. Unlike regular locksmiths, he can open anything with a touch and a wish, but Sam keeps that secret to himself. No reason to alarm the neighbors, after all. And if he sometimes feels an indefinable pull to do more with his life, well, that's probably just indigestion. Then one day, an unsettlingly beautiful out-of-towner asks for Samâs help to open a door. Only one problem: The jobâs in a graveyard. And the client? Turns out sheâs Death. Maybe thatâs two problems. When Sam unlocks more than he intended and demons come out to play, he discovers heâs far more than a locksmith with a hidden quirk. Now, he needs to figure out who he is and what heâs been called to do before darker forces close the door on him for good. |
By Sea & Sky: An Esowon Story (The Sky Pirate Chronicles #1) by Antoine Bandele The sickness was severe⊠âŠand there was one known potion that could save him. Was piracy the only chance they had? Zala wasnât skilled with a sword. She wasnât blessed with magic. But she knew the Sapphire Seas well. Plundering and raiding was an art of its own, and she got by on her wits. Yet she was running out of time. She needed the big score to save her husband. What was her next move? Before she even knew it⊠âŠthe game changed. High above them, off the coast of the Ibabi Isles, a strange airship was headed their way. Zala had never seen anything like it. The battle was imminent. And she was going to need more than her bag of tricks. Youâll love this adventure inspired by the West Indies, The Swahili Coast, and Arabia, because Zala will encounter ruthless raiders, arrogant aristocrats, and imperial secrets. It will keep you turning the pages. |
Dragon Source (Reunification #1) by Glenn Birmingham Her abilities could send her soaring to new heights or burn her alive in a blaze of treachery⊠Arten canât let anyone know her secret. If her fiery forbidden power becomes known, sheâll be burned at the stake by her magic-fearing religion. And when her mother sells her out to the churchâs fanatical agents, sheâs forced to flee into the wilds. Reluctantly accepting a mysterious strangerâs helping hand, she travels an underground network intent on reaching a protected dragon city. But when she learns most of the fugitives go missing before they arrive, she suspects her benefactor holds sinister secrets of his own. Can Arten make it to safety and realize her destiny, or will she be reduced to ashes? Dragon Source is the first book in the captivating Reunification epic fantasy series. If you like hidden magic, perilous quests, and dark mysteries, then youâll love Glenn Birminghamâs action-packed tale. |
House of Legions (The Angel Descendants #1) by Shan R.K William Blackwyll has roamed the earth, thriving in both human world and descendants Realms . He has watched emperors rise and fall in their own blood, and fought battles along side Lightwatcher's, Elvans, Shifters, Fairies and Casters. None of which matters now- It didn't prepare him for the hardest battle of his life. It didn't prepare him for Clare Miller, the Lightwatcher hunted by Angels and Demons. After a severe head injury eight years ago left Clare Miller with no recollection of the first ten years of her life, retrieving the unattainable, is exactly what it is, UNATTAINABLE. Her only source to link her to her mysterious past is her overbearing, tight lipped mother. Clare has no idea the deadly power that surge's through her veins waiting to be unleashed onto the earth. A horrific event leaves Clare with no option but to rely on her estranged brother, Nathan and an enticing fire Angel, Kalbreal. Hunted by Tempters and Angels, Clares only hope is the man who walks in her dreams, a man of no face, but eyes of the deepest blue, dipped in the finest cut of diamonds, William Blackwyll. The race to the end begins. Angels and Demons will fight for their right while one girl will bring the heavens to her knees. Touched by the heavenly hand itself, Clare Miller must uncover her destiny in The Angel Descendants. |
The Wall: A Post-Brexit Dystopian Fantasy by Margaret Mason The only road to escape ends at The Wall. In a desolate post-Brexit England, nothing is as it seems. There is no chance, for those who remain in England encased behind The Wall, to live a long and healthy life in the smog drenched, almost abandoned cities. None. Apart from one. Walking North, alone, through a desolate and deserted landscape, on old, cracked roads, long since abandoned, Harra has only two items to guide her. A sheet of paper with a list of instructions to direct her steps to The Wall and an ancient Casio watch to ensure her timely arrival. Yet neither of those can guarantee success, not when the ever-vigilant Border Drones must be avoided to chance the final crossing. And with every step she takes, the Establishment lies begins to unravel, revealing to Harra just how far the Government has gone to ensure its âtruthsâ are not only never questioned, but that they also come to pass. Harra has a future to gain, and a past to unravel. The Wall both beckons and repels, but there is no other means of escape. |
The Woeful Wager (The Race to the Blackened Nevers #1) by Douglas Bain The race is on! The gods careen toward the Blackened Nevers. Pray you don't get in their way! An army of criminals runs to reclaim its honor. An old knight wakes to find a child pointing to the finish line. A prison guard is cursed to return to the start. And the last two members of the Rowlach tribe run to ask their god why the race was more important than his creations. Meanwhile, deep inside their mountain, a brother and sister run to prevent the awakening of a leviathan. Will it rise to destroy creation, or is it just their god's cynical attempt to increase his odds of winning? âThe Woeful Wagerâ is the first book in the new dark fantasy series âThe Race to the Blackened Neversâ. It won the Gold Medal in the 2019 SPR Book Awards, and was a finalist in the Fantasy (Adult Fiction) category of the 22nd Annual Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards, the 2020 Feathered Quill Book Awards (Science Fiction/Fantasy), the 14th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards (Fantasy), and the 2020 Readers' Favorite Awards (Fiction - Fantasy â General). Come join the race of the gods! |
Dragon's Fire (Beating Back the Darkness #1) by Tiger Hebert "It didnât always feel like this. How? I canât remember, but it wasnât like this. No, not like this... It was cold and dank, and then there was the fear. To stand in his presence, in awe and reverence of his power, his might, it was intoxicating... but the fear never leaves." - Ekrin, High Priest of the Black Dragon A rising tide of violence is spreading across Darnisi, and it threatens to cast all of Aurion into war and chaos. A terror straight out of nightmares is at the heart of the corruption. Using the dark arts of seduction, the shadow drake bends and twists the will of those who would seek his power, to his own ends. Aurionâs remaining races forge unlikely alliances in order to survive the dragonâs scourge. As reality sets in, our survivors face a very grim future. Could their only hope of survival truly be found in the cryptic writings of ancient prophecy? |
Bones and Bourbon by Dorian Graves Retz Gallows has been possessed by an ancient necromancer for almost his entire life. Heâs used to wicked schemes and body-stealing shenanigans, but waking up to a unicorn head in his passenger seat is a new low. Now heâs forced to carry out a gilded menagerieâs dirty deeds, but the task brings him face to face with the hope heâd long given up on: his older brother. Jarrod Gallows left home to rescue Retz from possession. Instead, heâs saddled with a dead-end job as a paranormal investigator, a Faerie curse, and a daredevil boyfriend who might be from another world. At least heâs got a new case to keep himself busyâbut why has his brother reappeared, and why does this sudden reunion feel more like a bane than a blessing? To survive, the half-huldra Gallows brothers will have to escape the forces toying with their lives, as well as the wrath of carnivorous unicorns, otherworldly realms, and even their own parents. Only time will tell if theyâll make it out aliveâŠor sober. |
Witch's Sorrow (Alice Skye #1) by Taylor Aston White An amateur witch. A dark past. A fierce deceit. Paladin Agent Alice Skye didnât think much of the contract forced upon her by Rexley Wild, Alpha of one of the largest packs in Europe. He hired her for one job. Find the missing wolf. Unfortunately for Alice, she might already be too late. She's in way over her head, an inexperienced witch who has to use all her instincts to help the secretive and detached Alpha find his missing pack mate. But it isnât long before she realises somethingâs not quite right. It's not simply a missing person, it was something a lot closer to home, something that reignites nightmares that make her question her own, horrific past. Alice is in a race against time that forces her to face against vampires, daemons and anything that gets in the way, for she only has one thing to do, find the wolf before he turns up like the others. Dead. |
Sorcerer's Quest: Complete Trilogy (Ren's Tale #1-3) by NAK Baldron An orphaned boy, uncontrollable magic, and a quest to save a nation's honor. Complete Quest Trilogy In a nation that shuns magic, a young man unleashes his new abilities against his school bully. Heâs forced to slip out of the country when others find out. Now he must find a master to teach him how to control the magic, before it destroys those around him. Only problem is, he will have to compete against every armature sorcerer in the world to join the only magical university. Will he find help along the way and gain admittance to the university, or will be forever outcast from his home with no hope of redemption? |
Telluria (Telluria, #1) by Jodi Trask The earth was on the brink of a futuristic utopia when a new and deadly disease threatened to wipe out humanity. Telluria slowly dissolved its victims into one of the four primordial elements of water, fire, earth or wind. Terra was a child when her parents caught Telluria. The corporation New Atlantis developed a cure and distributed it for free just in time, saving her parents and the world from extinction. The world was just beginning to rebuild when Terra caught Telluria herself. She planned to simply go get the cure, but when her best friend Grey is killed by New Atlantis officials for trying to warn her against it, Terra is on the run for her life and the truth. |