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If dreaming is a drug, then I'm a junkie. For most people, sleeping is an obstacle; something to get out of the way so they can get back to their day. For others, it’s an escape to nothing; a blissful break from the wears of life. It’s the opposite for me. I live so that I can dream. I trudge through work so that I can go home and close my eyes, awakening in the real world—one where dreams really do come true. A place where I can fight a king instead of my ever-disappointed boss, where I’m a warrior instead of a glorified telemarketer. A place where I matter. Tigers instead of taxes. Monsters instead of men with too much power. Reality is just the word we came up with to accept a boring life; a birthing place for grander ideas we so desperately wish could come true. I choose to live in a world where they do. ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ Lost in a Dream is an adult fiction in the vein of Ready Player One, but with fantasy elements in place of sci-fi. It is a bold and unique novel that has something for you to love whether you are an avid fan of fantasy, literary fiction, or light romance. |
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Oathbound (Surgecaller Book 1) by Todd Herzman How do you kill an Immortal? Huon is weak. A surgecaller who escaped into the wilds, his only goal was to survive. Now he is Oathbound, forced to fight in an arena, forced to become stronger than he’d thought possible. As he realises he can become strong, the need for revenge fills his heart, and a new goal forms in his mind. But his goal is impossible: kill the dragon rider, the Immortal of Fire. To succeed, he’ll have to do more than just survive—he’ll have to advance beyond anything the realm has ever seen. In the spirit of progression fantasies like Cradle and Mage Errant, enter a realm with magical beasts, where surgecallers can cultivate essence to strengthen their weapons, enhance their bodies and wield elemental magic. |
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The Flame and The Blade by Meredith Hart He’s a fire mage on the wrong side of the King’s law. She’s a hired guard desperate to prove herself. Together, they must survive the legendary Demon Forest. Lord Vethe Scarvian is a direct descendant of the man who almost destroyed humanity. And that plus a couple of coppers will buy him another mug of ale. Vethe has no use for his once-noble family’s dubious legacy. When his aunt reveals the existence of a long-lost betrothal agreement hidden somewhere in the ruins of the Demon Forest, Vethe is only interested in how much money the noblewoman betrothed to him would be willing to pay to escape that contract. He just has to find the contract first. Lyria Guardia let her family down and got her heart broken. Gods help her, that will never happen again. After a crushing betrayal by the man she’d built her life around, Lyria abandons her promising career with the Adventurer’s Guild and returns, humiliated and heartbroken, to the Guard’s Guild that her family has run for hundreds of years. Determined to regain her position and prove herself to her five brothers, Lyria is willing to accept any assignment. Even if that means she has to drag some spoiled noble brat through the Demon Forest in search of a mysterious missing contract. The Flame and The Blade is the first book in a new romantic fantasy adventure series. Fans of Miranda Honfleur and Sarah J. Maas will love this story of forbidden magic, dangerous adventure, and sizzling enemies-to-lovers romance. |
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Coyote Chronicles by Anton Le Roy An aging warrior battles with gods, demons, monsters and the resurfacing troubles of his own past in this action packed fantasy adventure. Book 1 in The Veteran series. Can be read as a single book or as part of an ongoing series. "They call me Veteran. A grizzled old warrior. Always on the road, meandering through fantastic lands and bouncing from contract to contract, which usually end up in violence. I flee the past. I flee the ghosts that forever haunt me, but I know that in the end I'll have to finally stand and face them down. And when that day of reckoning comes my sword will be singing, the world will be burning, the ghosts will be swarming and a goddess will fall." Veteran and his buddy Gregor, two aged warriors for hire, have been on the road for decades when an audacious contract to steal a magical relic from a god brings them into contact with dark cultists called the Newborn. They soon discover the Newborn are led by an old pal they thought long dead, something Veteran had always blamed himself for. In an attempt to make amends, they track the priests through war torn kingdoms to find him. Along the way they'll learn just how dangerous the Newborn are and also that facing up to the past can be even more deadly. |
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Willow of Ashes by Ellie Raine Prophecy foretells twin brothers stand at the center of the world’s destruction. Some hope they bring salvation. Others fear they bring death. Twins Xavier and Alexander were born with their magic split in perfect halves. Alexander is gifted in the art of resurrecting corpses. Xavier is talented with binding souls into lifeless vessels. Alone, they’re magically crippled. Together, they help lost spirits have a second chance at life. Many oracles believe the two were chosen by the Gods and will be the key to the world’s salvation when the time comes. Others are convinced their coming foretells doom, and seek to rid the realms of the threat they pose. On the night Xavier would announce his betrothal to his childhood love, Death Princess Willow Ember, he is hunted down by a ruthless assassin and thrown from a cliff into the ocean below. Xavier is declared dead, leaving Alexander incomplete and Princess Willow alone in grief. But while Xavier’s body was never found, his soul was ripped free and bound inside his brother. With most of his memories missing, Xavier is cursed to live a secret coexisting life with his twin. Now the two embark on a perilous journey across the five realms of Nirus hoping to bring Xavier back. Joined by the scythe-wielding Death Princess and her warrior Aide, Lilliana, the twins discover they are not the only party vying for his return… and the assassin was not the only one seeking his death. A Dark power is growing as their adventure of hope becomes a living nightmare, and they must face colossal dragons, undead hordes, and a vicious demon queen to survive. |
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Kariea has turned healing into an art. Despite attending the best academy in Arix, she’s only allowed to study what her family approves. They want a lady; she wants more. The dragon magic of old has granted everyone power. Kareia doesn’t intend to squander it. Though she’s forced to learn other arts in secret, an unexpected friend offers to teach her more. Even better, he isn’t afraid to break a few rules. All the better for Kariea. With an arranged marriage in her future, she’s running out of time. Luckily, the law of the land is on her side: she can duel her betrothed and win her freedom… provided she can sneak in a little training first. Can Kariea hone the skills she needs to win? Or will she be forced to accept an unwanted marriage? *This book contains some material that might be triggering for certain audiences. Themes of gaslighting, abuse, and sexual assault are seen in this book. |
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Last Sword in the West by Ryan Kirk Never bring a gun to a sword fight Years after the conclusion of a civil war, Tomas wanders the endless grasslands of the frontier, still searching for an elusive peace. He dreams of finding a quiet place, far beyond the ever-expanding reach of civilization, where he can sheath his sword for good. But he can't look the other way when he passes through a town caught in a duel between two powerful organizations. The graveyard outside of town is full, and innocents hide in their homes, hoping to survive the coming battle. Before long, Tomas is caught within the web of the escalating conflict, a lone swordsman standing against two violent forces that seek to control the town and the unnatural power it contains. He quickly appears destined to join countless others in their unmarked graves. But Tomas has a secret, too. And it would be a mistake to underestimate him. His war isn't over yet. |
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Blood of Ravens by Jen McIntosh Hunted. Hidden. Scattered. But the old bloodlines hold true. And now is the time of the Rising. It’s been a hundred years since the Shade King orchestrated the Fall of the Graced; a century since he tipped the balance in his favour and brought those magically gifted warriors to their knees. But now a new power is rising and even the faintest ember, buried amongst ash and ruin, can reignite the flames of war. Renila remembers nothing of her life before the birth of her son, save the old stories she knows by heart. But when a stranger arrives at the castle she calls home, her past begins to resurface – and with it, her power. Enslaved by his master’s dark magic, the Shade King’s general, Alexan, has been dispatched to hunt down the King’s daughter – and either return her to her father, or kill her. His history with the Princess makes him well suited to the task, but it may also be his undoing. Keriath, bastard daughter of the Shade King, has been hunted her entire life and, since she was old enough to wield the power in her veins, has dedicated herself to destroying the monster who claims to have sired her. But the events of a single night may change her fate forever. The twins, Lucan and Suriya, are plagued by nightmares – by visions of myth and monsters – for which their mysterious yet domineering mother blames Renila and her stories. But there is something she is not telling them, and they are determined to find out what. This enthralling and immersive epic fantasy story is the first in The Rising Series, and Jen McIntosh’s debut novel. |
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The Vanguards of Scion by Michael E. Thom Power corrupts absolutely. The Vanguards of Scion is a dark epic fantasy story about five characters who are given great powers by dark beings from another dimension. We follow the five as they move through the East Realm and soon discover their powers have unimaginably horrid costs and the stakes keep stacking against them as the world they once knew begins to change forever because of their own mistakes. THE MOST POWERFUL MAGE IN THE UNIVERSE CREATES SCION, A POCKET DIMENSION FOR HARVESTING THE MOST POWERFUL MAGIC IN THE UNIVERSE, BUT IT IS DYING. THE KING OF SCION SETS HIS SIGHTS ON A NEW WORLD TO RESIDE, BUT HE MUST FIND FOLLOWERS TO WEAKEN ITS KINGDOMS FOR HIS INVASION A failed knight, a petite foul-mouthed assassin, an outcast witch, an alchemist who seeks validation & a huntress desperate to save her dying sister. All are met with a proposition to change their lives forever but at what cost? The five begin on separate paths across the world but their fates collide as some are visited by the King of Scion and given unworldly powers in exchange for servitude as vanguards to usher in his invasion. Some soon discover that great power is not worth the price of the bloodshed it bestows, but others embrace it straight into villainy. |
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We all wear masks. Some do so to hide from their own guilt. Lady Foonauri's life of indulgence and chasing wealth has left the young noblewoman empty inside. She wears a mask of happiness while she is consumed by guilt for the two men she loved... And destroyed. One man sees her as more than a beautiful ornament. He sees a woman who can change the world. He offers her a new mask to wear and the chance to do something meaningful with her life: Steal a dangerous artifact before it falls into the wrong hands. Can she shed her mask of guilt and find purpose in her life? Will the life as a thief bring her peace? Or is she entering a world that will swallow her whole? |
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Legacy of Flame by Rebecca Bapaye A winter queen and prince of flame, bound together by fate. Following a deadly attack on a druid grove, Queen Elia Kolenikova of the Ice Realm is the first and only monarch to take a stand against the fire priest order, a reclusive band of sorcerers with unlimited power. Determined to find a way to protect druids from further violence, Elia turns to the annals of history, tracing her knowledge of fire priests back to a time when a previous Ice Queen was intimately tied to the rise of the order. There’s just one problem: what Elia reads in those accounts may not be true. To unravel the mystery, Elia needs more than an ally—she needs a fire priest. An immortal Ice Realm prince who’s been missing from the history books for centuries. Syllian, like his father before him, sacrificed his mortal body to be born again in flames. Two thousand years later, he’s hunted at every turn by fire priests seeking revenge for his betrayal of the order. The threat means little until a rumor reaches him: Queen Elia Kolenikova is asking questions. About fire priests, about druids, and most dangerously of all, about the truth. Emerging from the shadows could cost Syllian his life. But if he doesn’t, the lies and propaganda of the fire priest order will cost Elia hers first. |
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Stone & Shield (Fall of Emros 1) by Thomas J Devens A new vain Emperor sits on the throne. Dreaming of glory and conquest. A stirring in the west as power shifts. And a band of mercenaries known as the Stone & Shield make way to return to the imperial capital. A great gritty grimdark adventure. For thirty years Diirg has done the bloody work and the years have taken their toll. But when in the trade of death, one’s past is never far behind. It’s a long journey to Emros City, and enemies new and old stalk the trails. |
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The Child of Chaos by Glen Dahlgren Nothing can break the stranglehold the gods of Order have on the world . . . except a roll of the dice. An irresistible longing drags young Galen to an ancient vault where, long ago, the gods of Order locked Chaos away. Chaos promises power to the one destined to liberate it, but Galen's dreams warn of dark consequences. He isn't the only one racing to the vault, however. Horace, the bully who lives to torment Galen, is determined to unleash Chaos--and he might know how to do it. Galen's imagination always got him into trouble, but now it may be the only thing that can prevent Horace from unraveling the world. |
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Restoration Day by Deborah Makarios Princess, pawn–or queen? Princess Lily was born to be queen of Arcelia, where the land itself has life and magic growing in it. Yet she leads a pawn's existence in the shadow of her guardians' control. She dreams of the day when she will take her rightful place in the world. At last her chance arrives, with a quest for the three Requisites of Restoration Day, the royal rite which renews the life of the land. But she's been hidden away too long... Stripped of all she thought was hers, Lily will need to do more than cross the board if she is to emerge triumphant as the queen she knows she must be. The land becomes both field and prize in a gripping game–and this time she's playing for her life. |
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The Mortal Blade by Christopher Mitchell A city ruled by Gods, a mortal champion, a misfit girl and a disobedient dragon… Stolen from his home, Corthie Holdfast has arrived in the City of the Eternal Siege as a new Champion. He must fight alongside the Blades, whose lives are dedicated to the defence of the City against the hordes of monstrous Greenhides; or die at the hands of the Gods who rule. Maddie Jackdaw, a young Blade, faces her last chance. Thrown out of every unit defending the City, either she takes on a new role, or she will be sent to the Rats, a company of misfits given the perilous tasks beyond the Great Walls. Her new role, if she takes it, will bring her face to face with her deepest fears, for beneath the walls, in a secret and hidden lair, lies a dragon, imprisoned and waiting… |
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The Look of a King by Tom Dumbrell Two young men. One with a dark past, the other with a bright future. Cyrus is a storyteller frustrated by the mundane trappings of village life, while Prince Augustus struggles to meet high expectations after an upbringing of royal privilege in the bustling capital. As both try to forge their own paths, a royal assassination unexpectedly closes the gap between them. The nation of Easthaven is thrown into war with their oppressive neighbours, and so begins a conflict from which neither can walk away. Will a young prince finally measure up to his destiny? Will a storyteller create a legend of his own? Cyrus and Augustus's lives may seem worlds apart, but perhaps they aren't so different after all... |
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Arleth, a 17 year old slave in a backwater world, has no idea her life is about to be turned upside down.She is too busy trying to avoid the abuse from her owner Bella. But when the legendary king of Oherra comes to Tocarra, Arleth soon finds herself being chased by assassins, sought out by spies and smack dab in the middle of a decades long war. It soon becomes clear to Arleth that powerful forces are at play. Not everyone is who they seem, even those she wants to trust the most. Haunted by an ancient magic, Arleth must decide who she can trust and fast. The wrong choice would cost her the ultimate price - a fate worse than death - to end up as an enchantment. A hollowed out shell of a person; devoid of thought, consciousness and feeling. That's if the birthright she's completely unaware of doesn't kill her first. |
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From the Darkness Comes by Joy Demers Revenge is not for the faint of heart. Cadda ni Caridos is a revenant who desires nothing more than finding the man who made her that way – the same man who killed her father and captured her mother. The glowing eyes, night vision, incredible strength and speed that came out of resurrection might seem like a boon, but when she can’t control her abilities and starts bringing death to others, she realizes it’s a curse. Cadda must dodge the authorities while searching for her father’s murderer, a man who turns out to be a powerful duke, and the only person to know the fate of her mother. Always one step away from the king and his elite order of bodyguards, Lord Kenric Dorsile is near impossible to get close to, especially for a lowly foreigner like Cadda. While scheming a way to do just that, Cadda is finally caught by the authorities. Being conscripted into the army as punishment and sent to the far edge of the kingdom to defend against barbarians – the enemy of her enemy – proves to be a mammoth of a challenge. Cadda must find a way to return to the capital, even if that way includes personally fanning the flames of war. Otherwise, she risks losing her mother forever and forfeiting the right to avenge her father and herself. |
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They’re surrounded by immense magical powers. How can they survive when they only have wits and desperation as weapons? Betharad, Sarnd and Jessa are doing their best to step out from the shadow cast by their hero parents. But they are thrown into a desperate battle for survival by the return of the sorcerer their parents died to defeat. The siblings search for clues in their parents’ tragic battle, only to uncover shocking secrets behind the official story. Reeling from the discovery and lacking magical powers of their own, as their enemy meddles with chaotic forces, death seems inevitable. Can three ordinary people outwit a fiend whose ruthless ambitions could send their world to its doom? The Hungry Fire is the gripping first book in the Serpentstone epic fantasy series. If you like underdog champions, earth-shattering magic, and high-stakes action, then you’ll love A.M. Obst’s riveting tale. |
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The Lightning Knight by Sean P. Valiente Magic isn’t real. Not anymore and not like it used to be. Or so I thought… 16-year-old Oliver Quartermain doesn’t believe in magic anymore. But who cares? He has it all: he comes from a rich and noble family and doesn’t have a care in the world. But how quickly that can all change. In the space of a few moments, Oliver’s life is turned upside down when he is tasked with protecting and saving the very magic he never believed in. But that’s not even the half of it. The only way to save magic is by training a young boy named Po Pondarion, who is destined to save the world. Not only does Oliver have to train the young and totally clueless Po, but he also has to battle an evil secret organization bent on destroying them, all while deciphering the secrets of a Magical Codex. Oliver enlists the help of his unlikely best friends, Roc and Yokel, as well as the Knight Angels, secretive vigilantes he’s only recently met, to help him train Po and save the world. That should be simple, right? Will this merry band of misfits be able to train the young Po in time for him to learn the secrets of magic and save its very existence forever? The Lightning Knight is a gripping epic fantasy that will have you on the edge of your seat, eagerly flipping to the next page. Let yourself become emersed in this rich and magical world and join Oliver and Po on the adventure of a lifetime. |
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Seven Ways to Kill a King by Melissa Wright She was born a princess. They made her an assassin. One was an accident. Two a coincidence. By three, they would know. It would be harder, but I would avenge my mother's death. These kings would pay that price. Seven cities make up the Storm Queen's Realm, each of their self-crowned, murderous kings are one of Princess Myrina's marks. The treasonous curs may have banded together to share a stolen throne, but soon they will fall. They thought her dead, killed in the massacre. They thought their rule secure, but Myrina of Stormskeep has awoken. With the help of her loyal bloodsworn, the shadow princess will have her revenge. |
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Duplicity of Power by S. Lynn Helton An improbable partnership of noble and rogue, an unlikely quest – key to the fate of the Six Realms, power struggles and the machinations of gods, and a legendary artifact of Power... Not always a Shadower, Namid is now one of the leaders of this select group, this guild of rogues in the decrepit city of Rhadanthus. Here she has found a refuge from darker times. Rescuing a stranger is not usually part of her nightly haul. Her decision to help the wounded man sparks a series of events that upends her hard-won haven and sends her fleeing for her life. Another’s quest snags Namid and casts her across the Six Realms of the Monarch and beyond, entangling her and others in power struggles, the machinations of gods, and the dangers of a past thought left behind. What at first seemed a fool's errand to restore a legendary artifact of Power becomes a gambit for the fate of the Six Realms. And Namid doesn't even believe in fate! |
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Burn Red Skies by Kerstin Espinosa Rosero When the Summoner's army blazes through her village, Dove is forced into hiding. Torn from everything she knows, she begins training in the elements with only one goal in mind: to find her brother. She just needs to get past the Summoner's army-but how can she slay a dragon that is already dead? "Burn Red Skies" is an epic fantasy with fire and flame, swords and martial arts, and strong female protagonists and antagonists. The story is told from different sides of an upcoming elemental war. The atrocities are enough to bring out the hero in the villain-and the villain in the hero. |
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Torak DragonSon by Rick Dietrich Torak, a young servant, lives a mundane life in the weapons academy catering to the needs of swordsmen and nobility. That life is irrevocably changed when his father's identity as a dragon is revealed in dramatic fashion. Torak is forced to leave his servant's life and fight not only for his own survival but for the survival of all the races in the lands. |
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Flames of Rebellion by Aaron S. Jones A dying world. A broken mage. An oppressed people. The world of Takaara is about to change but are the people ready for it? A young, nomadic mage, Arden Leifhand, journeys across the harsh Borderlands searching for his place is the world. Taken in by a tribe of warriors, Arden discovers there may be more to him than the bullied outcast he had always thought he was. Meanwhile, south of the Borderlands, Katerina Kane is thrust back into her old life of solving crime in Archania as she searches for the murderer of her lover. Archania has changed since she last worked a case and The Empire of Light is tightening its grip on the land. Through it all, rebellion is stirs with the downtrodden citizens as the land teeters on the edge of war. |
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Eyes Last Seen Dying by Colin Adams Lena is a gifted young swordswoman yet to develop the necessary wit, guile, and talent to destroy the world, but she's a fast learner. Tricked by her sensei into starting a war, Lena steals one of six stones holding back the Nithrain, the wickedness haunting the fringes of old tales. Hunted by every side, either to reforge the stone or to prevent its return, to save herself Lena must first become the hero worthy of redemption. Eyes Last Seen Dying is epic fantasy of the highest order, written by a remarkable new voice. Prepare to be transported into the richly detailed world of Ithander, a land brimming with wondrous creatures, magic, and martial arts. |
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SPFBO7 SPFBO Finalist SFFOasis Fenn’s first and only memory is finding himself in the middle of a forest, face to face with a dragon spirit mocking him, all knowledge gone apart from his own name. Lost and confused, his only hope for answers is Calidra—a woman living on the edge of the world with her partner. Forced to return home when her father dies, Calidra has put off facing her estranged mother for seven years, and she begrudgingly helps Fenn, forging papers for him so he can avoid the Queen’s Inquisitors. But her mother is the least of her worries when they discover an ancient enemy is rising again. It should be impossible with the Iron Crown in power—and Fenn is terrified he might unwittingly be playing a part in the war’s resurgence. Surrounded by vengeful spirits and powerful magic, Fenn’s desperate attempt to find his way home might well alter the fate of Tassar, and every power in it. A new high fantasy series bursts into life with the DRAGON SPIRITS who reign supreme in the magic-drenched world of Tassar. THE IRON CROWN is the first novel in this brand new trilogy and will be available in May 2021. |
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The Blood of the Spear by Mark Timmony Two brothers. One prophecy. A world in peril. When Kaiel loses his chance to become part of the legendary Daemon Hunters, joining the Bronze Guard mercenaries seems like the logical alternative. It is an opportunity to put his training to use and, more importantly, as the company is currently in the employ of Prince Alesandr, it will allow him to keep an eye on his younger brother, Darien, who's determined to follow his dream of becoming a Ciralys magic-user. But the broken continent of Athmay still bears the scars of the war between the Summoners some three-thousand years ago, and an unexpected battle with a daemon - a remnant of that ancient war - reveals the brothers' connection to a forbidden bloodline. Soon they find themselves on the run from the prince, daemonic hordes, and a prophecy that could break the world anew. |
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Cold from the North by D W Ross Driven by the promise of an ancient prophecy which will bring the dark ways of an old god back to power and prominence, an army of invaders swarms Ogulf Harlsbane’s homeland slaughtering all those who oppose them. Along with his people, Ogulf must seek refuge from this savage force. In his search of sanctuary, he is tasked with finding the one person who can put a stop to the onslaught. Doing so will send him across lands and seas, have him and his closest friend navigate the intricacies of a civil war, and try to win the help of the princess fighting for her throne. If he fails, darkness will prevail and the reign of the Onyxborn will begin. |
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By the Pact by Joanna Maciejewska High mages lied: Veranesh, the demon who destroyed the continent is still alive. And it's up to their former student to expose the truth—even if it means another Cataclysm. When Kamira, a once high mage student turned arcanist, discovers an imprisoned demon in underground ruins, she is forced into a pact that grants her powerful magic, but also ties her to the very demon that once devastated the continent… and Veranesh wants his freedom. With one friend by her side, Veelk, a mage killer bound on protecting her, Kamira will have to outwit the archmages, other demons, and possibly her own demonic benefactor to survive. Her chances are slim, but with Veelk’s ever-present sarcastic repartee, Kamira might just pull through. Plots and schemes, power and means—sometimes the price for victory is choosing which friend will die, but when you only have one friend, the choice is… easy? |
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Red Harvest Moon by Miles Hurt The tables for the harvest feast are set. And the ghuls of Urizan are coming, uninvited.Led by the colossus Krond, the flesh-eating ghuls are ready to blaze and burn across the lands of Soren. The village of Puttle lies in their path, where they will bring fire and death. The Black Feather is an outlaw, an outcast, a Wandering Knife. But he is the only hope the villagers have in this dark hour. Bandit turned protector, the Black Feather is hired by the villagers to take up his sword against the marauders. Krond seeks the Black Feather. The ghuls are hungry. And the harvest moon will shine red. Get your free copy of the prequel novella 'Bane of Wolves' at www dot mileshurt dot com. |
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The Forever King by Ben Galley SPFBO7 SPFBO Finalist SFFOasis Revenge loves company. Mithrid Fenn wants nothing to do with magick. Magick is a curse word, banned by the vast Arka Empire and punishable by death. Its purging has finally brought peace to war-torn Emaneska. Only a stubborn rebellion, led by the warlord Outlaw King, raids and pillages the empire's northern fringes. To cliff-brat Mithrid, this is an age of tranquility and childhood games. That is until an illegal spellbook washes up on her shores, and she finds herself thrust into a war she never knew existed. Now hunted by daemons and mages, she is dragged inexorably north to Scalussen and its rebels fighting doggedly to preserve a memory of freedom. Mithrid holds no such ideals. She fights for revenge and nothing nobler. If spilling blood means helping the Outlaw King, then so be it. Even if it means all-out war. --- The Forever King is the first book in a new trilogy - The Scalussen Chronicles - set in the dark and nordic world of The Emaneska Series. A breathless and emotional tale of revenge that crisscrosses a vast world, The Forever King is an epic fantasy ideal for fans of Joe Abercrombie, Steven Erikson and Mark Lawrence. |
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Seasons of Albadone (The Eighth Chant Book 1) by Élan Marché and Christopher Warman Four seasons. Four stories. An aspiring enchantress searches for a way to lift a terrible curse. A drunken father makes a dangerous wish. A foreman tilts the balance between nature and progress. A mother travels with her dying child in search of a healer. Four paths merge. Four destinies intertwine. |
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Black Moon: The Chronicles of Tucker Littlefield by Tegon Maus "Well?" She asked after a few moments. "Well what?" I returned. "I don't see him anymore. Maybe you should go see if he's alright." "I beg your pardon?" "Don't give me that. What if something happened to him. You're the husband. Go see if it's safe," She admonished, striking me in the chest with the back of her hand. "And if it's not? Then what?" "Well, the sensible thing to do is throw yourself in front of whatever it is that's trying to eat you and give me time to get away of course," she said matter-of-factly. "Trying to eat me? Why the hell would you say that?" "I don't know, it just came to me," She shrugged. "How is it that I'm the one being eaten?" "You're the husband. People would talk if something happened to me and not to you." "In the future, let them talk," I grumbled. |
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Only the Guilty Live by Robert Mammone A MADMAN PLUNGES AN EMPIRE INTO CIVIL WAR Captain Marduk has never played by the rules, but he has sacrificed everything for his Emperor to save the realm from total collapse in a long running civil war. A SOLDIER HAUNTED BY HIS BLOOD-SOAKED PAST Suffering from PTSD, Marduk is forced to go on one last mission to save a nobleman trapped inside a besieged city. Assembling a rag-tag team of misfits and monsters, Marduk brings together a colonist mourning his slaughtered family; a freed slave eager to drink the blood of her former masters; a vain sorcerer tied body and soul to an undead child possessed by a demon and a naïve young soldier who will soon learn the true costs of war. A BESIEGED CITY TEARS ITSELF APART The price of loyalty to a mad emperor will take Marduk and his team to the very edge of endurance...and beyond. Only the Guilty Live is an action-packed grimdark fantasy in the vein of Robert E. Howard, Michael Moorcock and David Gemmell. If you like bloody battles, foulest sorcery, and black humor, then you’ll love Robert Mammone's tale of loyalty betrayed. |
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Fledglings First Flight by Heather Major Have you ever imagined the world was bigger than you see? It was a regular day for Amy when she learned the truth of the world. Writing in her hidden forest nook, Amy investigates a strange stillness in the forest that leads her to two winged men in a clearing. Following this encounter, she begins to grow wings of her own and is told that she will be able to learn to wield magic. Amy learns that the world was shattered ages ago into magical shards connected with a series of Doors, and that she is the prophesied one who will save those shards from the Demon King. As Amy’s wings develop, her mentor tries to bring her to his home shard to train her in the use of magic. The Demon King has other ideas, and his minions redirect Amy to a shard filled with ruthless barbarians. With only a small fae for company, Amy must find her way to her mentor and learn how she can defeat the Demon King. |
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The King's Sun (The Brass Machine: Book One) by Isaac Grisham Prince Kitsune dreamed of leading an army in his father's wars for supremacy. Before he can wage a single battle, the king crushes those hopes, banishing his devoted son. But not all is lost. Kitsune will regain his birthright if he assassinates the son of his father's rival. A son possessed by fiery magic. Outside his kingdom for the first time, Kitsune struggles to survive mercenaries and political intrigue. He encounters the enigmatic, dark-haired Myobu. He discovers magical Yokai and dark family secrets... ...and strange new feelings for his companion. As the two men forge their path together, an unrealized and dangerous magic blossoms within Kitsune. The powers of the Yokai are capable of unspeakable destruction, and they grow stronger in him with each passing day. Can the prince use his gifts to slay his target and win his father's affection? Or will it destroy everything he loves? |
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The King's Fear (The Brass Machine: Book Two) by Isaac Grisham Myobu waited all his life to find true love. Then, just as he makes a connection, he's murdered. Reeling from the fatal climax of his love story with Prince Kitsune, the magical Yokai must take advantage of a second chance at life, reconciling his past and present while keeping the prince from following a path of darkness. Kitsune, lost in grief and guilt, finds a renewed purpose and the potential for hope when he discovers the legendary Sword of Inari. But when voices within the steel begin speaking to him, he's tempted down a path of deceit and destruction. With an army under his command, Kitsune must defend the world against the whims of his deranged father. King Oni's aggression is mounting, and he will stop at nothing to maintain his power over the region. In a tale of good versus evil, life and death, Kitsune and Myobu must come together to face unspeakable horrors. They are tasked with destroying an evil that threatens the brass machine--and their world. |
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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? |
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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. |
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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. |
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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! |
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Kalanon's Rising (Agents of Kalanon #1) by Darian Smith Solve the murder. Stop the war. Save the world. Sir Brannon Kesh spent years building a new life as a physician, leaving the name Bloodhawk and the war that spawned it behind. But when the King's cousin is murdered, duty calls him back. The crime scene suggests dark magic and the evidence points to the ambassador of Nilar, an alluring woman with secrets of her own, who sees Bloodhawk as little more than a war criminal. As bodies pile up and political ramifications escalate, Brannon must join forces with a vain mage, a socially awkward priest, and a corpse animating shaman to solve the murders and prevent another war. But who can he trust when the phases of a bigger plan take shape? The Risen are the greatest danger Brannon has ever faced. If he and his team cannot stop the killer then all of Kalanon - and the world - will descend into darkness. SPFBO 5 FINALIST - Winner of the SpecFicNZ Novel Competition - Sir Julius Award Winning Author |
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The Gods of Men (The Gods of Men #1) by Barbara Kloss 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. |
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Aching God (Iconoclasts #1) by Mike Shel SPFBO Finalist Indie Recs Indie “Closer, mortal. You are here, finally, to feed the Aching God…” The days of adventure are passed for Auric Manteo. Retired to the countryside with his scars and riches, he no longer delves into forbidden ruins seeking dark wisdom and treasure. That is, until old nightmares begin plaguing his sleep, heralding an urgent summons back to that old life. To save his only daughter, Auric must return to the place of his greatest trauma: the haunted Barrowlands. With only a few inexperienced companions and an old soldier, he must confront the dangers of the ancient and wicked Djao civilization. Auric has survived fell beasts, insidious traps, and deadly hazards before. But can he contend with the malice of a bloodthirsty living god? First book in the Iconoclasts trilogy, Aching God is the debut novel of RPG adventure designer Mike Shel. He is working on book 2, Sin Eater. The first two chapters of Sin Eater are included at the end of Aching God. |
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Sufficiently Advanced Magic (Arcane Ascension #1) by Andrew Rowe Five years ago, Corin Cadence’s brother entered the Serpent Spire — a colossal tower with ever-shifting rooms, traps, and monsters. Those who survive the spire’s trials return home with an attunement: a mark granting the bearer magical powers. According to legend, those few who reach the top of the tower will be granted a boon by the spire’s goddess. He never returned. Now, it’s Corin’s turn. He’s headed to the top floor, on a mission to meet the goddess. If he can survive the trials, Corin will earn an attunement, but that won’t be sufficient to survive the dangers on the upper levels. For that, he’s going to need training, allies, and a lot of ingenuity. The journey won’t be easy, but Corin won’t stop until he gets his brother back. |
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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... |
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Devil's Night Dawning (Broken Stone Chronicle #1) by Damien Black 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 |
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The Way Into Chaos (The Great Way #1) by Harry Connolly 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? |