stories in and

Redemption & Ruin: The Forbidden Scrolls Part 2

Redemption & Ruin: The Forbidden Scrolls Part 2 by Matthew Cesca

The search for the forbidden scrolls continues in Redemption & Ruin. Disaster has struck! Frost Dirvent has used the legendary scroll of fire to murder thousands of innocents. Now the vile sorcerer has continued his quest to collect all of the forbidden scrolls scattered throughout Teren'vei. It's a race against time for Juliya and her friends. They'll need to cross the entire continent and bring two desperate groups of paladins together to have any chance of stopping Frost before he can use the scrolls again. United with the champions of the gods, Juliya must stand against a threat unlike any seen in thousands of years: an army of the dead and a necromancer who can bend the elements themselves. Can they stop Frost from recovering all of the scrolls and rebuilding his family's once glorious empire? And even if they succeed, what will be the cost?


The Forbidden Scrolls: The Forbidden Scrolls Part 1

The Forbidden Scrolls: The Forbidden Scrolls Part 1 by Matthew Cesca

He left her for dead. It was supposed to be a job like any other – sneak in, grab the scroll from the vault, and get out. It didn’t matter to Juliya what the young sorcerer wanted it for, he was paying well enough. That is, until he double-crossed her. Now Juliya has a choice: track down Frost Dirvent and the forbidden scroll of fire that she stole for him, or be turned over to the guards. Despite her misgivings, Juliya must work with a group of adventurers to track down Frost and reclaim the scroll before he can use its powers against an unsuspecting world. But the journey to stop him will take her to the last place she ever wanted to return to: Home.


Let Loose the Fallen: Book Two of Children of the Nexus

Let Loose the Fallen: Book Two of Children of the Nexus by S. Kaeth

Teacup Dragon Coop SFFOasis

The priestess searches for her faith. The fire-wielder wrestles with her past. The psion dreams of peace. And the hero is torn between his heart and his duty. While grief scatters the four protectors to the winds, outside forces write history according to their own whims. The fate of the Rinaryns lies twined with that of the boy, Eian, caught in a tug of war the heroes are unaware of. But the evidence lies waiting for Taunos and the others to see, if only they can move past their betrayal.


The Bitter End (Book 1 - Keys to the World)

The Bitter End (Book 1 - Keys to the World) by Scott Kelemen

Book 1: Keys to the World Mia d'Rein and her brother Kai lived simple, pastoral lives. In the span of one night, both terror and love swoop in and rip them away from their sleepy existence. Caught up in events a thousand years in the making, they will join the race for legendary artefacts that have the power to reshape humanity forever. Evil forces will try and seize those artefacts, forcing the siblings and their friends to embrace a dangerous reality; that they must rise beyond the tragedy and curiosity that tore them from their homes and become something more.


Fractured Magic

Fractured Magic by Emeric Rowene

To Leandros Nochdvor, Egil was the greatest hero the world had ever seen. It had nothing to do with the man’s accomplishments, the past he overcame, or even the lives he saved. It was simply this: Egil taught Leandros how to live, and then he taught Leandros how to love. And then Leandros lost him. Years later, when Leandros’ uncle the king is abducted by a strange woman wielding stranger magic, Leandros asks himself what Egil would do and gathers dangerous allies to rescue his king. On the journey, they encounter forgotten magic, old gods, and the dead returned to life. But as Leandros’ allies add innocents to the mounting list of casualties, he begins to question who the true villains are. The foe they face at the end confirms his fears: it’s Egil, back from the dead. Against such a powerful enemy, how could Leandros win? Against the man he once loved, why would he want to? And if this noble hero stands in his way, which of them is right?


Children of the Dead City

Children of the Dead City by Noor Al-Shanti

King Sharr of the Kingdom of Shining Waters was not a particularly brave man. When he heard that the Mad Sorcerer was creeping up the mountainside he fled the fortress city, practically handing it over to the Mad Sorcerer, and made his abode in Dalaiabeth: the King’s City. His palace lay behind high walls on one side of the great lake and Dalaiabeth lay almost defenseless on the other. Even behind the high walls of his palace the King worried. Most of all, he was afraid for his young daughter, the Lady Shila. It was the palace blacksmith that offered the King salvation from his fears. “Why not adopt an orphan boy from the city?” he asked. “He will grow up with the Lady Shila, learn to love her as a sister, and he will protect her when the matters of the Kingdom take you away from her.” So the King sent three trusted men to bring him a suitable boy from the city orphanage. But it was more than three men that knocked on little Dargoth’s door the next day. His mother tried to protect him, but she was no match for the unit of trained soldiers that took her little boy, Dargoth from her, claiming that he was wanted to fight in the war. As Dargoth and his mother struggle to reunite, the Mad Sorcerer’s relentless attacks throw their Kingdom into chaos and despair, and they find themselves up against forces and intrigues far beyond what they could have imagined. Immerse yourself in this epic story now!


The Sword of Kaigen (Theonite)

The Sword of Kaigen (Theonite) by M.L. Wang

SPFBO Finalist

A mother struggling to repress her violent past, A son struggling to grasp his violent future, A father blind to the danger that threatens them all. When the winds of war reach their peninsula, will the Matsuda family have the strength to defend their empire? Or will they tear each other apart before the true enemies even reach their shores? High on a mountainside at the edge of the Kaigenese Empire live the most powerful warriors in the world, superhumans capable of raising the sea and wielding blades of ice. For hundreds of years, the fighters of the Kusanagi Peninsula have held the Empire’s enemies at bay, earning their frozen spit of land the name ‘The Sword of Kaigen.’ Born into Kusanagi’s legendary Matsuda family, fourteen-year-old Mamoru has always known his purpose: to master his family’s fighting techniques and defend his homeland. But when an outsider arrives and pulls back the curtain on Kaigen’s alleged age of peace, Mamoru realizes that he might not have much time to become the fighter he was bred to be. Worse, the empire he was bred to defend may stand on a foundation of lies. Misaki told herself that she left the passions of her youth behind when she married into the Matsuda house. Determined to be a good housewife and mother, she hid away her sword, along with everything from her days as a fighter in a faraway country. But with her growing son asking questions about the outside world, the threat of an impending invasion looming across the sea, and her frigid husband grating on her nerves, Misaki finds the fighter in her clawing its way back to the surface. SPFBO Winner 2019


The Gods of Men (The Gods of Men #1)

The Gods of Men (The Gods of Men #1) by Barbara Kloss

SPFBO Finalist

Top 10 Finalist in Mark Lawrence's SPFBO 2018 Sable hated the gods. She hated what men did in their name. Magic is forbidden throughout the Five Provinces; those born with it are hunted and killed. Sable doesn’t know her music holds power over souls—not until, at age nine, she plays her flute before the desert court and accidentally stops her baby sister’s heart, killing her. Horrified by what she’s done and fearing for her life, she flees north, out of Provincial jurisdiction and into the frigid land of exiles and thieves, known as The Wilds. There, Sable lives in hiding, burdened by guilt, and survives as a healer. But now, ten years later, someone—or something—is hunting her. On the run again, Sable’s best chance for survival is Jos, a lethal man from the Five Provinces, who claims to need her skills as a healer to save his dying father, and she needs the large sum of money he’s offered. There’s something about him Sable doesn’t trust, but she doesn’t have many options. A spirit of the dead is hunting her, summoned by a mysterious necromancer, and it’s getting closer. Sable soon discovers she’s just the start of the necromancer’s plan to take over the Five Provinces, and she’s the only one with the power to stop it. But harnessing her forbidden power means revealing it to the world, and the dangerous Provincial, Jos, she’s beginning to fall for. Fans of Brandon Sanderson, Naomi Novik, and Victoria Schwab will love this dark and epic fantasy adventure.


We Ride the Storm (The Reborn Empire #1)

We Ride the Storm (The Reborn Empire #1) by Devin Madson

SPFBO Finalist

War built the Kisian Empire and war will tear it down. And as an empire falls, three warriors rise. Caught in a foreign war, Captain Rah e’Torin and his exiled warriors will have to fight or die. Their honour code is all they have left until orders from within stress them to breaking point, and the very bonds that hold them together will be ripped apart. Cassandra wants the voice in her head to go away. Willing to do anything for peace, the ageing whore takes an assassination contract that promises answers, only the true price may be everyone and everything she knows. A prisoner in her own castle, Princess Miko doesn’t dream of freedom but of the power to fight for her empire. As the daughter of a traitor the path to redemption could as easily tear it, and her family, asunder. As an empire dies they will have to ride the storm or drown in its blood.


Symphony of the Wind (The Raincatcher's Ballad #1)

Symphony of the Wind (The Raincatcher's Ballad #1) by Steven McKinnon

SPFBO Finalist

A bounty hunter with a death wish. A girl with fearsome powers. A kingdom on the brink of destruction. Serena dreams of leaving her harsh desert home behind in her very own airship. But when an assassin’s knife meant for Serena kills her friend instead, the rebellious orphan ventures into the corrupt heart of Dalthea to discover who put a price on her head. With each new turn, she edges closer to uncovering the awful truth
 And the mystical powers brewing deep within her. After his fiancĂ©e’s death, soldier-turned-bounty hunter Tyson Gallows is eager to sacrifice his life in the line of duty. When a foreign enemy assassinates a high-ranking official, he vows to bring them to justice. On the hunt for a killer, Gallows exposes a sinister plot that proves his fiancĂ©e’s death was no accident. Driven by revenge, Serena and Gallows must join forces to take down the conspiracy before the kingdom falls to ruin. Symphony of the Wind is the first book in a gritty epic fantasy trilogy. If you like hardened heroes, steampunk airships, and dark magic and monsters, then you’ll love Steven McKinnon’s visceral adventure.


Where Loyalties Lie (Best Laid Plans #1)

Where Loyalties Lie (Best Laid Plans #1) by Rob J. Hayes

SPFBO Finalist Indie Recs Indie SPFBO Winner

Everybody knows Captain Drake Morass is only out for himself. As the fires of a dying city burn on a distant shore, Drake sees an opportunity to unite the other pirate Captains under his flag and claim a crown for himself. If he is to succeed, he will need allies and the Oracle named Keelin Stillwater, the best swordsman in the isles, as his right hand. With enemy ships sailing his waters and setting fire to his cities, and the sinister Tanner Black threatening to steal the throne before Drake even has a chance to sit upon it, Drake Morass must somehow convince the other Captains that his best interests are also theirs. Where Loyalties Lie is the first book in the Best Laid Plans duology and is set in the same world as The Ties That Bind trilogy, continuing Captain Drake Morass' story where the trilogy left off. WINNER SPFBO3


The Crimson Queen (The Raveling #1)

The Crimson Queen (The Raveling #1) by Alec Hutson

SPFBO Finalist Indie Recs Indie

2016 Ink and Insights Competition - Judges' Favorite 2017 Reader's Favorite Award for Epic Fantasy 2nd place in the 2017 SPFBO Long ago the world fell into twilight, when the great empires of old consumed each other in sorcerous cataclysms. In the south the Star Towers fell, swallowed by the sea, while the black glaciers descended upon the northern holdfasts, entombing the cities of Min-Ceruth in ice and sorcery. Then from the ancient empire of Menekar the paladins of Ama came, putting every surviving sorcerer to the sword and cleansing their taint from the land for the radiant glory of their lord. The pulse of magic slowed, fading like the heartbeat of a dying man. But after a thousand years it has begun to quicken again. In a small fishing village a boy with strange powers comes of age... A young queen rises in the west, fanning the long-smoldering embers of magic into a blaze once more... Something of great importance is stolen - or freed - from the mysterious Empire of Swords and Flowers... And the immortals who survived the ancient cataclysms bestir themselves, casting about for why the world is suddenly changing...


Devil's Night Dawning (Broken Stone Chronicle #1)

Devil's Night Dawning (Broken Stone Chronicle #1) by Damien Black

SPFBO Finalist

As a kingdom teeters on the brink of war, two witch hunters fight to stop a warlock before he unleashes an ancient evil
 For centuries, the Argolian Order has protected the mortal vale from the dark forces of the Other Side. Now the barrier between worlds is breaking down, and two monks must survive a civil war before they can stop the wizard responsible. When Adelko is assigned to legendary exorcist and witch hunter Horskram, he expects an adventurous life. Death by adventure isn’t what he had in mind – but it seems the only outcome when they learn of a sorcerous theft that threatens the world. The thief wants to silence them – permanently. And so Horskram and Adelko flee from one danger to another as the Jarl of Thule leads a rebel army against the King of Northalde, plunging the realm into conflict. And on the Other Side, demonkind reawakens
 The Broken Stone Chronicle is a riveting tale of war, quest, magic and horror for fans of medieval fantasy, sword and sorcery, dark fantasy and epic fantasy. Buy a copy now! Selected for the final in the 2017 SPFBO book competition


The Way Into Chaos (The Great Way #1)

The Way Into Chaos (The Great Way #1) by Harry Connolly

SPFBO Finalist

The Great Way is an epic fantasy trilogy about a supernatural invasion that destroys an empire. The city of Peradain is the heart of an empire built with steel, spears, and a monopoly on magic
 until, in a single day, it falls, overthrown by a swarm of supernatural creatures of incredible power and ferocity. Neither soldier nor spell caster can stand against them. The empire's armies are crushed, its people scattered, its king and queen killed. Freed for the first time in generations, city-states scramble to seize neighboring territories and capture imperial spell casters. But as the creatures spread across the land, these formerly conquered peoples discover they are not prepared to face the enemy that destroyed an empire. Can the last Peradaini prince, pursued by the beasts that killed his parents, cross battle-torn lands to retrieve a spell that might—just might—turn the battle against this new enemy?


The War of Undoing (Kyland Falls #1)

The War of Undoing (Kyland Falls #1) by Alex Perry

SPFBO Finalist

‘My name is Tay Raining, and this is my brother Ellstone. I wonder if you’ve heard of us 
 I have a birthmark shaped like a question mark on my hand, I think it might mean something but I’m not sure what. My brother is probably important too, though I can’t imagine how. I’m rambling now, sorry. The point is 
 the point is, we are the Rainings, and we’re here to save you.’ War is brewing in Kyland, as the shadowy, spell-weaving vumas rebel against the human government, but both sides have secret weapons at their disposal. The humans’ secret weapon: a plan that could be the undoing of the world. The vumas’ secret weapon: three young humans abandoned in the smog-shrouded town of Tarot – Tay, Ellstone and Miller Raining. The Rainings could be the key to winning the war, but first they’ll need to work out whose side they are really on
 The War of Undoing takes readers on an exciting journey into a world on the brink of tearing itself apart. It is the first book in the Kyland Falls fantasy series, and is Alex Perry's debut novel.


The Grey Bastards (The Lot Lands #1)

The Grey Bastards (The Lot Lands #1) by Jonathan French

SPFBO Finalist SPFBO Winner

LIVE IN THE SADDLE. DIE ON THE HOG. Such is the creed of the half-orcs dwelling in the Lot Lands. Sworn to hardened brotherhoods known as hoofs, these former slaves patrol their unforgiving country astride massive swine bred for war. They are all that stand between the decadent heart of noble Hispartha and marauding bands of full-blood orcs. Jackal rides with the Grey Bastards, one of eight hoofs that have survived the harsh embrace of the Lots. Young, cunning and ambitious, he schemes to unseat the increasingly tyrannical founder of the Bastards, a plague-ridden warlord called the Claymaster. Supporting Jackal’s dangerous bid for leadership are Oats, a hulking mongrel with more orc than human blood, and Fetching, the only female rider in all the hoofs. When the troubling appearance of a foreign sorcerer comes upon the heels of a faceless betrayal, Jackal’s plans are thrown into turmoil. He finds himself saddled with a captive elf girl whose very presence begins to unravel his alliances. With the anarchic blood rite of the Betrayer Moon close at hand, Jackal must decide where his loyalties truly lie, and carve out his place in a world that rewards only the vicious. SPFBO 2016 Winner


The Path of Flames (Chronicles of the Black Gate #1)

The Path of Flames (Chronicles of the Black Gate #1) by Phil Tucker

SPFBO Finalist Indie Recs Indie

A war fueled by the dark powers of forbidden sorcery is about to engulf the Ascendant Empire. Agerastian heretics, armed with black fire and fueled by bitter hatred, seek to sever the ancient portals that unite the empire - and in so doing destroy it. Asho--a squire with a reviled past--sees his liege, the Lady Kyferin, and her meager forces banished to an infamous ruin. Beset by tragedy and betrayal, demons and an approaching army, the fate of the Kyferins hangs by the slenderest of threads. Asho realizes that their sole hope of survival may lie hidden within the depths of his scarred soul--a secret that could reverse their fortunes and reveal the truth behind the war that wracks their empire. Unpredictable, fast paced, and packed with unforgettable characters, The Path of Flames is the first installment in a gripping new epic fantasy series. r/Fantasy 2016 Stabby Award Finalist 2016 #SPFBO Finalist


The Thief Who Pulled on Trouble's Braids (Amra Thetys #1)

The Thief Who Pulled on Trouble's Braids (Amra Thetys #1) by Michael McClung

SPFBO Finalist SPFBO Winner

*Winner of the 2015 Self Published Fantasy Blog-Off, Hosted by Mark Lawrence* Amra Thetys lives by two simple rules—take care of business, and never let it get personal. Thieves don't last long in Lucernis otherwise. But when a fellow rogue and good friend is butchered on the street in a deal gone wrong, she turns her back on burglary and goes after something more precious than treasure: Revenge. Revenge, however, might be hard to come by. A nightmare assortment of enemies, including an immortal assassin and a mad sorcerer, believe Amra is in possession of The Blade That Whispers Hate—the legendary, powerful artifact her friend was murdered for—and they'll do anything to take it from her. Trouble is, Amra hasn't got the least clue where the Blade might be. She needs to find the Blade, and soon, or she'll be joining her colleague in a cold grave instead of avenging his death. Time is running out for the small, scarred thief.


The Weight of a Crown

The Weight of a Crown by Tavish Kaeden

SPFBO Finalist

THE WEIGHT OF A CROWN Thousands dream of it; still more die for it. Yet, how many can truly bear it? After centuries of bitter conflict the realm of Esmoria is at last united under the banner of a single king. On the surface the realm appears to be enjoying its first taste of peace, but lingering resentment and the untimely death of the new ruler threaten to return Esmoria to political chaos. Meanwhile, in the farthest reaches of the frozen north, a dethroned monarch's plot for revenge awakens a long-forgotten evil. As darkness and treachery descend upon the realm, a young escapee from a forced labor camp, a disenfranchised soldier, and an epileptic engraver's apprentice find themselves at the heart of the troubles.


Priest (Ratcatchers)

Priest (Ratcatchers) by Matthew Colville

SPFBO Finalist

A Fantasy Novel. After years spent in the inn he bought and never opened, Heden is drawn out, and sent into a dark forest to investigate the death of a knight. Nothing is what it seems. Why was Heden chosen for this mission? Who killed the knight and why? Why won't anyone talk to him? As the Green Order awaits Heden's final judgement, he finds his morality, perspective, and sense of self are each challenged and then destroyed. Perhaps nothing, even right and wrong, can survive in the haunted wood.


Wielder's Prize (Wielder's Prize #1)

Wielder's Prize (Wielder's Prize #1) by Elle Cardy

SPFBO6

Snatched from the only home she’s ever known aboard the Wielder’s 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 couldn’t get worse, she learns she too is a wielder—an untrained wielder who is a threat to everyone on board if she can’t control her magic. And she’s 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.


Whalemoon (Wyrmwind Tales Book #1)

Whalemoon (Wyrmwind Tales Book #1) by Dustin Porta

SPFBO6

Phehl never wanted to be pike keeper, but at least the job would be easy. Or so she thought. For as long as anyone can remember the islanders of Brodthrop Atoll have lived in peace. The dragon winds keep pirates away and the dance of the whalepike calms the seas. When the ceremony goes wrong a strange girl washes up on Whalegrave Beach. Phehl is duty bound to help those in need. But there's a problem: the girl is a sharkling, tricksters of legend with smiles of dagger-sharp teeth. And she's not the only visitor. The winds blow and the seas churn. Ships appear on the horizon. Some want to trade, others, to plunder. All have eyes for the Whalepike. When the sharkling is captured, Phehl has to make a terrible choice: trust superstition and let the monster be taken, or risk everything to bring her back. Save her new friend, or save her people? Either way she will have to be honest. About the secrets she's keeping, the lies that she has told, and lies of keepers who came before her. Whalemoon is the first book in the Wyrmwind Tales This whimsical high fantasy is set on a world of islands, with a fable-based magic system that weaves tales of sea-gnome knights, genies in seashells, and a crown fit for an octopus king. These folk tales, and sailing chantees aren't just for the reader, they can shift the winds of fate. But can they teach Phehl what it means to be a brave and compassionate hero? A nautical tale for noblebright readers and fans of Earthsea and Narnia, Whalemoon puts a new twist on old-fashioned high fantasy. This novel is a treasure trove of lore and limerick to put on your shelf to read again and again. Welcome to the world of Tableau Mer!


Warbringer (Descendants of the Fall #1)

Warbringer (Descendants of the Fall #1) by Aaron Hodges

SPFBO6

Centuries ago, the world fell. From the ashes rose a terrible new species—the Tangata. Now they wage war against the kingdoms of man. And humanity is losing. Recruited straight from his academy, twenty-year-old Lukys hopes the frontier will make a soldier out of him. But Tangata are massing in the south, and the allied armies are desperate. They will do anything to halt the enemy advance—including sending untrained men and women into battle. Determined to survive, Lukys seeks aid from the only man who seems to care: Romaine, the last warrior of an extinct kingdom. Meanwhile, the Queen’s Archivist leads an expedition deep beneath the earth. She seeks to uncover the secrets of the Gods. Their magic has been lost to the ages, yet artefacts remain, objects of power that could turn the tide of the war. But salvation is not the only thing waiting beneath the surface. Something else slumbers in the darkness. Something old. Something evil.


A Voice That Thunders (Voice That Thunders #1)

A Voice That Thunders (Voice That Thunders #1) by Cully Mack

SPFBO6

Immortals conquering as gods. A Shadow creeping closer... Can an apprentice healer be the key to ignite a war? Mirah looks for the best in everybody. But her naivetĂ© is shattered when her clan is slaughtered, and she’s dragged into captivity. Vulnerable and scared, she has no choice but to accept her kidnappers’ offer to join their sect of lethal female fighters. Desperate to find stability in her chaotic new life, Mirah throws herself into training as a water mage and warrior. But as she discovers her unprecedented elemental control, her instructor warns that revealing her power will put her in mortal danger. With the fate of humanity at risk, will Mirah’s growing abilities spell her salvation
 or destruction? A Voice That Thunders is the first book in the action-packed Voice that Thunders epic fantasy series. If you like strong women, intricate world-building, and stories of enduring friendship, then you’ll adore Cully Mack’s riveting saga.


Until All Curses Are Lifted (Heart Of Fire #1)

Until All Curses Are Lifted (Heart Of Fire #1) by Tim Frankovich

SPFBO6

The laws are enforced by magic. If you break the law, you’re cursed. But the rich and powerful twisted the laws to allow for
 exceptions. Marshal has been cursed since birth for his unknown father’s crimes. When he discovers he’s also heir to immense magical power, he must flee for his life. His half-brother wants the power for himself and has hired an assassin to pursue Marshal and his mother. No one has ever escaped from a curse, but it’s the only way for Marshal to be truly safe. Seri wants to become the most powerful mage in history. But the magic that holds the world together is failing and no one knows why. While the ground itself shakes, someone begins murdering mages. In danger from all directions, Seri must learn how to use her unique abilities before everything falls apart. Neither of them know they are being watched from another realm



Towers of Dawn (Exmortus #1)

Towers of Dawn (Exmortus #1) by Todd Maternowski

SPFBO6

The holy men of Exmortus Abbey have unearthed a terrible evil. To save their floundering faith, they dug up an artifact of immense power -and unleashed the demon avatar of long-dead gods. Ash Xavier, a brilliant young knight-in-training, survives the avatar's brutal onslaught on the Abbey only to see his entire world crumble around him. With no weapons, no horse, no map and no chance, he must use his wits alone to take the artifact across hundreds of miles of hostile terrain to safety in the fabled city of Helios -provided he can survive that long.


The Sword of Wisimir

The Sword of Wisimir by Allen Stroud

SPFBO6

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...


Stolen Luck (The Chanmyr Chronicles #0)

Stolen Luck (The Chanmyr Chronicles #0) by T.J. Muir

SPFBO6

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 you’ll love TJ Muir’s captivating prequel tale.


Song of Shadow (Ballad of Emerald and Iron #1)

Song of Shadow (Ballad of Emerald and Iron #1) by Natalya Capello

SPFBO6

They said she was out of her mind. The dark truth will shake the foundations of the fae realm
 Lorelei refuses to believe her wild visions mean she’s insane. But despite her royal sidhe heritage, she’s banished to a remote priory to prevent her causing trouble. So when a priestess of the Elemental Order urges her to join a risky pilgrimage, she flees her prison and sails headlong into danger. Traveling to an ancient land imbued with volatile magic, she chokes back her disbelief after unearthing evil sorcery that shouldn’t exist. And now that Lorelei holds the forbidden secrets, she fears it’s only a matter of time before the powerful Elphyne Empire silences her permanently. If the fae church’s ruthless assassins don’t hunt her down first
 Can Lorelei expose the sinister conspiracy before darkness falls forever? Song of Shadow is the captivating first novel in the Ballad of Emerald and Iron epic fantasy series. If you like strong women, potent magic, and non-stop adventure, then you’ll love Natalya Capello’s enthralling tale.


Shrouded Kingdom (The Lost Queen of Althea #1)

Shrouded Kingdom (The Lost Queen of Althea #1) by Rachel Medhurst

SPFBO6

Once a human, now a fae princess, destined to be queen. Layanna Fairling has never belonged to her village, and yet, when it’s threatened by a tyrant who wants her dead, she knows she has to protect it. Three mysterious strangers who claim Layanna is a changeling and future ruler of the Seelie Court arrive to aid her. They also claim that the only way of saving her village is by overthrowing the Unseelie tyrant who inherited the throne from his evil father when he slew her real parents, the Fae King and Queen of Althea. The tyrant's greed and violence threaten to tear apart the kingdom she never knew existed, leaving Layanna with a simple choice. Overthrow the handsome and powerful tyrant, or lose everyone and everything she loves.


Shadow of a Dead God (Mennik Thorn #1)

Shadow of a Dead God (Mennik Thorn #1) by Patrick Samphire

SPFBO6 SPFBO Finalist

It was only supposed to be one little job - a simple curse-breaking for Mennik Thorn to pay back a favour to his oldest friend. But then it all blew up in his face. Now he's been framed for a murder he didn't commit. So how is a second-rate mage, broke, traumatized, and with a habit of annoying the wrong people, supposed to prove his innocence when everyone believes he's guilty? Mennik has no choice if he wants to get out of this: he is going to have to throw himself into the corrupt world of the city's high mages, a world he fled years ago. Faced by supernatural beasts, the mage-killing Ash Guard, and a ruthless, unknown adversary, it's going to take every trick Mennik can summon just to keep him and his friend alive. But a new, dark power is rising in Agatos, and all that stands in its way is one damaged mage...


Rise of the Forgotten Sun (The Sun and the Raven #1)

Rise of the Forgotten Sun (The Sun and the Raven #1) by Jon Monson

SPFBO6

All I ever wanted was to see the world and maybe discover an ancient civilization or two. A life of scholarly solitude and adventure was more than enough for me. I never wanted to play politics. I never wanted to get married. I most certainly never dreamed of becoming a god. Yet when I ventured into the depths of the Soulless Desert, I found... something- a power so ancient it has been forgotten by mankind. That day unleashed a chain of events that, once started, cannot be stopped. It is the Rise of the Forgotten Sun. It is the beginning of the end.


Ranger's Oath (Arc of Radiance/Fall of Radiance #1)

Ranger's Oath (Arc of Radiance/Fall of Radiance #1) by Blake Arthur Peel

The barrier between worlds is broken. Only he knows the truth... Magic has protected Tarsynium for a thousand years, shielding its people from being ravaged by bloodthirsty demons. When a young ranger's apprentice named Owyn Lund discovers that the Arc of Radiance has been breached, he tries to warn anybody who will listen. But legends aren't supposed to be real. When a village is mysteriously destroyed, rangers, mages, and rebels all point the finger, blaming each other for the demons' brutality. However, Zara Dennel, a mage's ward, has heard Owyn's tale—and she's inclined to believe him. Together, they must prove that friendship is greater than intolerance, unity is more important than division, and that even the most powerful magic can sometimes not be enough. Failure means the end of all things. A second—and lasting—Doom. Experience the beginning of a thrilling Epic Fantasy series suitable for all ages. It's perfect for fans of Sabaa Tahir, Sarah J. Maas, and Brandon Sanderson.


A Prince's Errand (Tales of the Amulet #1)

A Prince's Errand (Tales of the Amulet #1) by Dan Zangari, Robert Zangari

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#1 New Release in Classic Fantasy A Prince's Errand, Book One of Tales of the Amulet begins an exciting new epic fantasy saga. Several millennia ago a war raged between the factions of dragonkind. With their world ravaged, the Kaldean Alliance forged the Amulet of Draconic Control and the Tethering Stone, and banished their foes to other realms, saving Kalda from utter destruction. Fearing the power of the Amulet, the survivors secreted it away. But now knowledge of the Amulet has resurfaced--and in the wrong hands, war could erupt anew. A PRINCE'S ERRAND Long ago, men harnessed the Channels of Power, creating tevisrals-devices capable of manifesting magic. But men weren't the only ones to accomplish such feats. Dragons crafted the most sophisticated tevisrals. These shaped the world, defining civilization of man and elf alike. Over the centuries, the people of Kalda have fallen into a dark age, where elves are estranged from men and dragons have retreated into legend. Tevisrals are scarce and men are willing to trade everything for them. But there are some who wish to bury the past, and in their lands, possessing tevisrals is tantamount to treason. Still, daring men scour the world in search of Kalda's past. One such man, the scholar Krindal, seeks an ancient order known as the Keepers of Truth and Might. He yearns for their knowledge, long feared lost. Prince Kaescis Midivar also searches for these Keepers. The assassination of his uncle, the emperor of Mindolarn, killed his hopes of peace with his empire's enemies. His empire's survival hinges upon unearthing the Keepers' secrets. An aging warrior, Cornar Dol'shir, longs to be home with his wife. But his retirement must wait, as his band of adventurers is recruited to help find the Keepers' hidden temple on the Isle of Klindala. Haunted by his tragic past, Iltar, the Son of Adrin, does not join in the search for the Keepers. Instead, he seeks to unravel the mysteries held within a volume of prophecy foretelling the advent of the Unspoken One and the return of the Crimson Eye. His search takes him to the Empire of Mindolarn, where all is not as it seems. An ancient war was won by a simple amulet. It brought peace, but in the wrong hands it could spell a doom the likes of which no world has ever seen. May the Crimson Eye remain hidden for all time.


Pradyutita (Jaya! Book 1)

Pradyutita (Jaya! Book 1) by Geetha Krishnan

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In Hastinapura, Atiratha and Radha find a baby floating in the river. In the palace, the impotent King Pandu is forced to abdicate the throne while his bastard half brother Vidura conspires with his queen Kunti. The blind King Dhritarashtra struggles against his autocratic uncle while the sage Vyasa fights desperately to avert a power struggle within the Kuru family. This is the saga of Mahabharata, as it has never been told before.


The Power of Conviction (The Prime #1)

The Power of Conviction (The Prime #1) by Catrin Russell

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The Darkness was closing in over the Midlands, with the Priesthood being the only one daring to stand up against its terrifying presence. Trained in the arts of the Light, the priests walked a bloodied path through the scores of demons, seeking to rid the world of their unholy presence. But the fight against demonkind was becoming increasingly perilous, and danger rose to threaten the Priesthood’s very survival. The priestess Anaya stands resolute in her conviction. Despite the dangers she must endure along her dedicated path, her unwavering faith in the Goddess and Her divine supremacy doesn’t falter. She’s set on following the orders of her High Priest, no matter how gruesome. Until one day, when all her beliefs are challenged
 A fateful meeting with the elusive demon Samael opens the doors to doubt and Anaya begins to question the very path of the Priesthood and of all those steadfast in the preachings of the Goddess. Were they wrong about demonkind? Was her purpose in life truly for naught? The Prime Series contains subjects and scenes that depict violence, torture, consequences of prolonged sexual abuse, emotional scars and suffering, as well as mature language and steamy scenes. It is therefore intended for a mature audience.


The Phoenix Prince (Royal Blood #1)

The Phoenix Prince (Royal Blood #1) by Kristen Gupton

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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.


Of Fractured Lands and Sundered Dreams (Almodel's Awakening #1)

Of Fractured Lands and Sundered Dreams (Almodel's Awakening #1) by E.D. Lazure

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The Fimarans’ attempt to overthrow their god backfires. As ghastly creatures begin to fill Fimara and the world’s 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 Dreamer’s prophecy regarding the arrival of seafarers and the impending transformation of both Dolixa and Fimara. The first book in the Almodel’s 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.


Oasis

Oasis by Bharat Krishnan

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Once, there was a truce. Desperaux controlled the west with magic, and Desire claimed the east with steel and science. But now magic has disappeared, and the world has changed. The kingdom of Desire will stop at nothing to maintain the new world order. On Juno’s wedding day, their Mengery soldiers came marching through the Nine desert to rip his world apart. Now he journeys east with his adopted brother, Trey, in search of revenge after the murder of his family. Along the way, the two face bandits and the magical creatures of the Nine. When they finally reach Desire, Juno and Trey will face something even deadlier – their own fears and ambitions. This is a tale of brotherhood, a revenge story that will remind you that everything has a cost – a cost that will be paid to Desire and to the inner demons that govern us all.


The Lure of Fools (The Age of the Infinite #1)

The Lure of Fools (The Age of the Infinite #1) by Jason James King

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“Adventure is the lure of fools, and excitement glamour to the gullible. The siren song of the world is as music to the wanderer’s feet, but that dance leads only to the soul-less grave.” So Jekaran’s uncle has warned him. But that doesn’t 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.


Lords of Deception (War of Four Kingdoms 1)

Lords of Deception (War of Four Kingdoms 1) by Christopher C. Fuchs

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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 Arasemis’s 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.


Legacy of Bones (A Tale of Bone and Steel #1)

Legacy of Bones (A Tale of Bone and Steel #1) by Kirk Dougal

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An ancient evil is waiting to be reborn... Gera worked hard at his apprenticeship, but now he's done. All he wants to do is go home to see his brother and sister. When he finally reaches their cabin, Dax, his older brother, is there, isolated and drinking as usual, but Keely can't be found. Then the brothers receive the news. In the middle of the day, she was taken. Testers from the Sacara Institute rode off with her. Like a pebble cast into a still lake
 
this was the first ripple. What were the magic users at the Institute's plans for her? The road was long. The captors rode hard, and it would be a miracle if the brothers caught them before they reached the Institute. Even if they did, freeing their sister wouldn’t be easy. But as time ticks away to a far greater threat, Gera and Dax must strive to overcome more than just external threats if they want to save Keely. The evil is waiting. Legacy of Bones is the first book in the A Tale of Bone and Steel series, an epic adventure filled with unforgettable characters, gritty action, and the future of the world hanging in the balance. If you like your epic fantasy mixed with a side order of grimdark, then this series is for you.


Lady, Thy Name Is Trouble

Lady, Thy Name Is Trouble by Lori L. MacLaughlin

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Trouble is Tara Triannon's middle name. As swords for hire, Tara and her sister Laraina thrive on the danger. But a surprise invasion throws them into chaos... and trouble on a whole new level. Pursued by the Butcher, a terrifying assassin more wolf than man, Tara and Laraina must get a prince marked for death and a young, inept sorceress to safety. There's only one problem - eluding the Butcher has never been done. Aided by a secretive soldier of fortune, they flee the relentless hunter. Gifted with magic and cursed by nightmares that are all too real, Tara must stop an army led by a madman and fend off an evil Being caught in a centuries-old trap who seeks to control her magic and escape through her dreams - all while keeping one step ahead of the Butcher.


The Knights of Dragonwatch (The Dragon Queen of Chaos #1)

The Knights of Dragonwatch (The Dragon Queen of Chaos #1) by Eric T. Knight

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Led by dragons, the Emperor’s vast army conquers every nation in its path
 The Emperor seeks to free the Dragon Queen from the Abyss. The only ones who could have opposed him are the Knights of Dragonwatch, an ancient order created to defend the world against the Dragon Queen, and they are no more, betrayed by one of their own and hunted to extinction. Jarryd is a young man with a secret. He sees demons. The visions have plagued him since he witnessed a traumatic event as a small boy. Jarryd lives in fear that his secret will be discovered, and he will be condemned to the fate of those who consort with demons. Or, even worse, that the demons will consume him, make him one of them. As the visions grow ever more powerful, Jarryd sets out on a journey to find answers at Knights Keep, the ancestral home of the Dragonwatch Knights. The journey brings him to the notice of the Emperor himself and sets Jarryd on a desperate quest to resurrect the Dragonwatch Knights. Can Jarryd overcome the demons within himself and defeat the Emperor in time? Or will the Dragon Queen escape her prison and ravage the cosmos once again?


Kingdom of Aces: Ruby Edition

Kingdom of Aces: Ruby Edition by Steven Smith

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The Red Kingdom receives disturbing news of a rebellion by the banished savages in the west, the Stormbringer's are on the brink of raiding the capital and the queen must make a stand. That is until her son throws a spanner in the works, by making an enemy of two other realms who are not exactly the queen's biggest fans. The queen of clubs must protect her corrupt kingdom from all sides, the list of candidates for the throne grows in an explosive almighty clash and a war that will surely collapse the Red Kingdom of Curillia.


Immortals: An Epic Fantasy Adventure (Essencers of Aelathia Book 1)

Immortals: An Epic Fantasy Adventure (Essencers of Aelathia Book 1) by Joshua Smith

The world has been destroyed... ...and remolded in the image of its destroyer. For thousands of years, stories had been told of the terrible Sorceress who'd given all her power to end the ancient world. But those were just stories. Now, new stars dot the sky—signs of Sorceress Jocina's power returning so she can finish the job. For A’banna, these signs mark the end of her service to the Sorceress as priestess. Commanded to sacrifice a living being in Jocina's name, she can't go through with it. A’banna flees into the jungle, but the wide world is much different than she knows. Further, she’s being hunted by Jocina’s sadistic son and her monstrous creations. Nature itself seems set against her. Bedel and Raynt, two of the Magical Affairs Commission’s elite agents and powerful essencers, might be her only hope. They've dedicated their lives to holding back the tide of Jocina's darkness, and preventing her inevitable return, but when they discover A’banna on the edge of death, all missions are postponed in an effort to protect her. Might this strange, defecting priestess hold the keys to defeating the Sorceress once and for all? Or will she cause two of the most powerful remaining essencers to meet their doom for nothing?


The Headlock of Destiny (Titan Wars #1)

The Headlock of Destiny (Titan Wars #1) by Samuel Gately

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Some say titans are descended from giants. Others say they are risen from men. But there’s never any debate about where to find them. They will be in the center of a roaring crowd, beating the hell out of each other. From contenders like the Savage and Scott Flawless to pretenders like Richard the Living Portrait and Troll-Blooded Thom, a titan’s lot in life is the same: To wrestle for dominion and glory in the squared circle. Van, a quiet titan from the brewery town of Headwaters, wants no part in this. He’d prefer to be left alone with a beer. But destiny has him in a headlock, and it is prepared to drag him into battles that will shake the land and change his world forever. Step into the ring with this one-of-a-kind novel, brewed special for fans of epic fantasy, fans of professional wrestling from the Golden Era and beyond, or simply fans of a good tale.


Gods of the Mountain (A Cycle of Blades Book 1)

Gods of the Mountain (A Cycle of Blades Book 1) by Christopher Keene

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“If that’s true, he’s returned from the grave, and you better believe he’s got something in store for this city.” Accused of murder, Faulk is on the run after his chance at redemption went horribly wrong. He finds himself allied with the mysterious Yuweh, a woman sent by her gods to capture an assassin who is spreading forbidden magic. Journeying across a land where all magic, cultures, and wars are dictated by its cycles in nature, they uncover a plot that threatens to destroy everything they hold dear. Faulk and Yuweh must reconcile their clashing cultures to prevent the chaos from repeating... ...as another attempts to use it for his benefit.


Frey (The Frey Saga #1)

Frey (The Frey Saga #1) by Melissa Wright

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Unaware she's been bound from using magic, Frey leads a small, miserable life in the village where she's sent after the death of her mother. But a tiny spark starts a fury of changes and she finds herself running from everything she's ever known. Hunted by council for practicing dark magic, she is certain she's been wrongfully accused. She flees, and is forced to rely on strangers for protection. But the farther she strays from home, the more her magic and forgotten memories return and she begins to suspect all is not as it seems.


Forged in Shadow (The War of the Nine Faerie Realms #1)

Forged in Shadow (The War of the Nine Faerie Realms #1) by Megan Haskell

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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 doesn’t 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 doesn’t realize it could be a one-way trip. While the princess forges an escape from her father’s ruthless will, LhĂ©wen is trapped in a foreign land. Betrayed and alone, LhĂ©wen discovers it is her own quiet power that may free—or doom—them 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, you’ll love this battle between Shadow and Light.


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