The Heresy of Thieves by Mia V. Moss

Vael stole magic from the gods for Her people and put an end to centuries of unrest. Now magic is gone, and the battle for the Witchlands’s soul begins. After a millennium of prosperity and magic, one catastrophic night undoes the realm of Yvaelen. Magic has fallen, and prayers to Vael the Giver go unanswered. Jal Riago knows when it’s time to move on from a con. She can’t maintain her false refugee heiress story forever, and her benefactors grow weary of playing host. Just when she’s about to confess and cut ties, a deadly raid sets Jal’s life on a collision course with a powerful entity reckoning with its own madness. The young, steadfast King Thealys Vorrine inherited the throne of Dynestra after her parents’ deaths at Spellfall. But sparks of unrest flare all too quickly into the unpredictable wildfire of rebellion, and King Vorrine must forge headlong into unknown territory. Royal knight and notorious rake Ember Carrado is trying his best to get fired. Instead, when he’s paired with a judgmental paladin and sent on a mission to hunt down a rampaging mythical beast, he finds himself face-to-face with the past he’s been running from since Spellfall. Beacon Wylda Lorcanthas wields a sharp tongue and the second-highest office in the Church of Vael. When the head of the Faith dies, Wylda must seek out a biddable successor. Unfortunately, the clergy’s clear favorite is a charismatic priest who promises the restoration of magic—for those willing to partake of a bloody cost. The dark betrayal behind Spellfall, and the very fabric of Yvaelen’s faith, will be hidden no longer. What began with a thief’s touch will end with a reckoning. And salvation for some may be a waking nightmare for others.

Locker's Rebellion by Jesse Pohlman

Katherine London, an arcane scientist for the Kingdom of Emor, is alarmed when her much-needed vacation with her swordswoman wife Clarice is interrupted with a summons to the capital. The Kingdom has always had trouble keeping the Principality of Presia in line, but a peasant uprising striving for independence is brewing and it falls to Kathy and Clarice to track down its ringleader. There are just two problems making Presia an awful place for Kathy: First, the theocratic Principality is hostile to non-conformist relationships like hers’. Second, arcane gifts are viewed as witchcraft. But when an ancient relic tied to Presia's mythological savior is stolen through what can only be magic, the uprising’s leader gains an air of legitimacy. Kathy would love nothing more than to leave this problem to someone else, but if she did - if the rebellion succeeded - it would strip away the Kingdom's protection from those like her who call Presia their home. She and Clarice cannot risk leaving others like them to a theocracy's scant mercies. When an opportunity to both quell the rebellion and place a more reform-minded cleric in charge of the Principality emerges, Kathy has a first-hand opportunity to help guide him to the right side on both core issues. That leaves her with two unknowns: Whether or not they'll be in time, and what they'll find when they get there. Locker's Rebellion is a fantasy action story which plays out like your favorite battle-manga centered around themes of Queer liberation and self-acceptance. Pick it up if you're ready to stand up and defend the defenseless!

Alchemists of Dawn by GS Valiant

Being a woman at Vyner Industries was hard enough. Then the murder happened. Once a promising young researcher, Roxanne Young’s career at the renowned Vyner Alchemical Industries has stalled. Despite her brilliance and long hours in the lab, she just can’t seem to get that next promotion. When she witnesses a brutal murder, Roxanne stumbles on a shocking discovery that could break the Federation’s dangerous dependence on their dwindling reservoirs of magic, and secure her career in the bargain. Determined to expose the discovery and bring the killers to justice, Roxanne turns to the one person who might be able to help: the indomitable Juliana Young, the first and only woman to ever become a department head at Vyner–and Roxanne’s mother. Two ambitious women whose approaches sometimes clash, mother and daughter must work together to protect the future of magic. But as they are drawn into a web of intrigue, shifting loyalties, and unlikely alliances, Roxanne and Juliana soon discover powerful forces at work–and they will stop at nothing to keep Vyner’s secrets hidden.

The Curse of Aldebaran by Dakota Jackson

Two spirits. One body. No way out. When Suraya and Meiling’s second year at the Academy begins with paired reconnaissance training, neither of them expects it to end in disaster. But when a mysterious agent of the Miyako family attacks, Meiling throws herself into the line of fire—and her spirit is torn from her body…only to bind itself to Suraya instead. Now trapped together in a single body while Meiling’s empty form lies dying in the intensive care unit, the two girls are forced into an alliance neither of them wants. But the Mikayo family is still out there, draining spirits, hunting power…and closing in on Suraya for a reason no one understands. As Suraya is hailed as Ataru Reborn, her power grows more unstable—and more dangerous. Meanwhile, Meiling is running out of time to reclaim her body before she’s lost for good…or killed like her uncle before her. The Curse of Aldebaran is book two in The Construction of Shadows series, a young adult fantasy series for fans of Percy Jackson and Avatar the Last Airbender. This installment ups the action, danger, magic, and romance for a thrilling race against time.

Bad Citizen by Ron Lebow

A MAFIA WAR CAN BE BRUTAL, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT INVOLVES A MAGICAL MANIAC Josiah arrives in New York City through a portal from another realm. Capable of frightening feats and driven by a lust for power, he takes on the mafia. He’ll just need the help of a few local outcasts. Lucius is an impulsive f-up who shuns his mafia family’s norms. Behind a long line of brothers for leadership, he fashioned his own comfortable nook. Thrust into war with another family, he becomes enveloped by the need for revenge. Antonia is Lucius’ sister. She exists on the family’s outskirts, protective of her brothers and occasionally called upon for unspeakable assistance. Forced to contend with the potential downfall of everyone she loves, she may be the key to the family’s salvation...and her own. In Bad Citizen, Ron Lebow fuses fantasy, sci fi and mob drama into a relentlessly entertaining ride. Josiah storms through a portal with terrifying powers and a hunger for control, setting his sights on New York’s underworld. He’ll need allies—and finds them in our society’s outcasts. Lucius, an impulsive mafia screw-up, is forced to contend with responsibilities he never wanted. Antonia, his fiercely protective sister, stands at the center of it all. What follows is a comedic war where every twist redefines loyalty, violence is interspersed with unexpected laughs, and no one walks away unchanged. Set in modern-day NYC, the story balances brutal violence with razor-sharp comedy, delivering one unpredictable twist after another. Sacrifices loom around every corner, and consequences never arrive as expected. Lebow’s novel is a portal urban fantasy turned upside down—fun, funny, and deadly serious in all the right places. • Ride shotgun with Josiah as he weaponizes magical abilities to rip apart the mob. • Get lost in a web of twists that make every chapter a revelation. • Witness Lucius’s chaotic spiral from black sheep to vengeful force. • Uncover Antonia’s pivotal role in a war no one else can win. This isn’t a tidy hero’s tale—morally grey characters, constant surprises, and sacrifices with unthinkable consequences drive the chaos. • Mafia mayhem with a magical twist • Dark comedy that lands hard • Sacrifices that flip the script

Curse of Silence: A Retelling of The Goose Girl (The Roumaterra Chronicles) by Erin Halbmaier

A princess with a magic handkerchief. A flirtatious baron’s son. The maid who turned their world upside down. As the possessor of her family’s handkerchief, Princess Daphne should be uncovering the truth behind her father’s murder. But she lacks confidence as a spy, and her mother is sending her off to a neighboring kingdom to look for a husband. It means months lost from her mission, but at least her faithful dog and best friend will be with her. Raoul has been Daphne’s best friend since they were children. But she always laughs off his attempts to confess deeper feelings, and now his father has given him an ultimatum. She’s always been out of his reach, but if Raoul can’t change her mind in the next six months, he’ll lose what little chance he had. When a kitchen maid catches Daphne alone, she steals the handkerchief and uses it to swap their appearances. The only way to undo it is for Daphne to tell someone who she is, but the curse prevents Daphne from both speaking and writing. Will Daphne find a way to free herself from the curse? Or will the maid win, leaving Daphne a mute shepherdess forever? Curse of Silence is a clean, no-spice retelling of The Goose Girl. It is part of The Roumaterra Chronicles, a series of interconnected, standalone fairy tale retellings perfect for readers of Brittany Fichter, Celeste Baxendell, and Annette K. Larsen.

A Frigid Hope: A Snow Queen Retelling (Fairy Tales of Ambrose) by Amanda Thompson

Can one princess find hope before her best friend’s heart is turned to ice? Every year a man is chosen to make the journey up the forbidden mountain to appease the Frozen Queen, only to return with a frozen heart. When Crown Princess Bianca learns her best friend is this year’s chosen, she is devastated. And she’s willing to do anything to save Percival from that fate. Percival’s heartbroken when he finds the mark selecting him to be this year’s chosen. He’s Bianca’s personal guard – and he has been in love with her for years. But with the selection mark comes a warning: to disobey means death, not just for him but for everyone in the kingdom. Can Bianca save her people from the endless winter and prevent Percival from losing his heart? Or will all be lost to the frigid reign of the Frozen Queen? A Frigid Hope, a Snow Queen retelling, is the first prequel in the Fairy Tales of Ambrose series, set a few hundred years prior to Dances and Danger and the rest of the series.

My Brother's Keeper by Ben Schenkman

Magic is real, demons walk the earth, and Max’s brother is dead. Max Asher, Jewish mystic and private-eye, never thought he’d be coming back to his home town to bury his twin brother, Solomon. He definitely never thought the funeral would turn into a case, but when Sol’s widow Gabby asks him to investigate the cause of death, “Uncle Max” is on the job. When Max kicks the demon’s nest, he uncovers a conspiracy that forces him to reevaluate everything he thought he knew about his brother. Unfamiliar local politics blur the line between the supernatural and the mundane, and soon, fighting for justice becomes dangerously literal. If Max can uncover the murderer, he might just save his brother’s soul—but if he can’t, he’ll fall victim to the same deadly fate. Putting the past to rest is going to take more than a shovel full of dirt.

Vahmroh Tamer: Volume 1 by Freemi-Ya

Talovarios is a quiet young Imp and just one of billions of hominids across a land barely stitched together who have chased the boundless wonders of Vahmrohs — magnificent, geometric monsters that mirror the appearance and abilities of real-world taxa — for millennia. The only difference is that he has a Tamer’s heart that’s far larger than his wallet or support system. When a fateful encounter leaves him bonded to a stray, young Vahmroh marked by an undesired “cracked star,” his childhood dream detonates into something far greater—just as the local haven of folk-Tamer culture falls before the smile of a corporate buyout. Now, Talovarios is torn between four factions clawing for control of tamership itself: the privileged who hoard power, outlaws thriving in chaos, sentinels enforcing peace, and an ancient way fiercely rallying around the everyman—each desperate to gatekeep who can command the limitless potential of Vahmrohs. The Core within his Tamer's device thrums with both promise and peril as the bond Talovarios forges with this unwanted creature ignites a relentless journey of discovery and defiance. One that teaches this generation of Tamers that a fulfilling path can be one you walk alone—at first. Dedicated to creature-collecting aficionados worldwide — as well as Eiichiro Oda and Hiro Mashima — this charged tale of diaspora, collaborative freedom, and found family channels shōnen energy into a modern odyssey about ownership, identity, and the adventure of forging your own legend.

Howl In by Priyanka Nawathe

Stingburrow, a small town hidden beneath the rocky Hollindemun Hills, faces a storm every year. Three friends try to control the damage while battling with their deepest desires as one curse holds the power to pull them into its darkness. LYCANTHROPE. Sheriff Jaymie Lowves carries the responsibility of Stingburrow’s residents while grieving the love he lost. Dr. Mallory Griffin battles her survivor’s guilt while finding the cure for the town. Rickwan McIntyre aka Mack, the local repairman, despises them for what he lost years ago. As the one they lost returns with her pet, will the curse be broken? Or will the Lycan blood prevail? If you enjoy supernatural secrets, high-stakes rescue, and the bonds of “found family”, grab this book for a page-turning adventure. It is a perfect pick for readers of books by Joe Hill, Kate Danley, Charlotte. E. English, & viewers of shows like Roswell, New Mexico and movies like the Underworld franchise.

The Low Hum of Zal'Kareth by Michael Antonio

Kae'lor's body stopped feeling pain years ago. In the suffocating heat of Zal'Kareth's obsidian pits, his pointed ears twitch only to the wet hiss of geothermal steam and the heavy tread of the red-skinned orcs he bleeds to defeat. He fights for cheap ferment, ignores the ghost of the brother he lost to a predatory Noise Cult, and survives by tuning out the world. Then the Collective Dream fractures the city. Millions across the lineages share a single vision: ancient stone Giants chained deep beneath the rock, screaming the word "Rest." As the Ministry's harmonic grid stutters, pockets of absolute silence open in the streets — voids where orcs, elf-kin, and Tikkari alike step inside and instantly forget their own names. Kae'lor wakes with a burning counter-clockwise spiral scarred into his palm, his deadened nerves violently firing back to life. To survive an unraveling city, he must find what lies beneath the Ministry's dying syrup, before the silence hollows him out next. The Low Hum of Zal'Kareth is the first novella in The Fractured Cadence of Talibra, an AfroFantasy epic of resonance, memory, and survival. For fans of Arcane, Dune, and dark Seinen manga.

Riyati Recollection by Kai Zeal

When the night is at its darkest, the sparks of life shine brightest. Kylie thought the danger was over: the last of Asuza’s followers now dead, she was free to live life as a normal teenager — a freshman in college, the events of her high school years behind her. But what should’ve been a fun vacation to Savannah takes a dark turn as an undead Riyatian attacks Maya and leaves Kylie with a cryptic message: her existence damned every other mage and she should not have survived that fateful day in June. Kylie is left with only questions; but the most difficult one of all is if she is even worth saving, even if it's just to make amends. But time is of the essence and she can't afford to wallow. She must now decipher the truth of the warning and figure out how to save the other mages before it’s too late. Riyati Recollection is the fourth book in a new adult/adult contemporary, low dark fantasy series that seeks to explore themes of identity, legacy, generational trauma, and finding your own path in life. The series is set in the modern day fictional Southern US town of Opal Pines and includes multiple first person perspectives with characters across a range of queer, neurodiverse, and socioeconomic statuses.

A House of Violence and Vengeance by Rowena Aiello

Courtney Summers’s I’M THE GIRL meets Anne Bishop’s DAUGHTER OF THE BLOOD in this gripping, dark low fantasy where a barely-legal young woman attempts to live out her romantasy dreams...and ends up fighting for her life against the very man who promised to make those dreams a reality. In a world where book boyfriends outperform human ones ten to one, 18 year old Jen Annalise is determined to find her human book boyfriend equivalent…even at the expense of her own safety. Jen yearns for a world—and romance—that's both far from her family's farm, and straight out of her favorite romantasy series. So when the mysterious and alluring Damon Sadie responds to her profile on a sugar daddy website, she immediately agrees to meet him. At first, Jen thinks all her favorite parts of her romantasy dreams are about to be brought to life. Then their adventure is waylaid by a side quest to his house...one that she can't leave without his permission, or bring anyone into without his approval. And forget about the rooms that glow, smelling like smoke and crackling like thunder—he won't even acknowledge them. But when her sugar daddy's refusal to answer her questions leads her to uncover two other women now trapped in his house, and a sinister magic they're forbidden to touch, Jen is left with no choice: she must escape this fantasy before she ends up trapped forever, too.

Song of Monsters by Noah Naiman

Kane once died in a noose. Now he has a god in his head, and a city to save. Hundreds of miles from the gallows, Kane has built a new life baking sweets in the hillside city of Torry. But a brawl with a drunken constable uncovers a conspiracy of poisoned tea and black powder threatening his newfound home. While Kane races to save the city, the god in his head insists on saving the world—even if it costs Torry itself. Outmatched, Kane gambles on the only people desperate enough to help: A thief with a stolen firearm and a vendetta against its maker. A suicidal, immortal musician who can’t abandon a good story. A monstrous wizard hellbent on doing right. A two-foot-tall chemist chasing a kidnapping no one believes happened. But Kane knows the line between hero and monster is a noose, and it’s tightening again.

Rise of the Dragon's Heir by Darlene Franklin-Campbell

Most epic fantasy asks who will win the throne. Rise of the Dragon's Heir asks what the throne does to the person who inherits it.

The Protector and the Annihilation by Naila Moonsi

Some 100,000 years have passed since Earthians swept across the galaxy. By the year 9955 ATF after a catastrophe all but annihilates them, humans upon the ocean planet Imion are struggling to become space-worthy again. Two young men attending university vie for the role of Protector of All Worlds. They know that the godly power the Protector wields will save them all, and yet one day they wake up momentarily and realize... 60-year-old Armando Rivera and Ranvir Chandrani once loved each other. Stuck within a mental palace called ‘the Citadel’ within ‘the Boundless,’ an otherworld that reflects the galaxy in eerie dream-like ways, they are now 19 years old again and stripped of their memories. In these young forms, the two subconsciously test if this love between them was something true while attempting to take each other down. Their life has begun anew around them due to a time loop within the Citadel, and it follows their gentle, morose memories perfectly within the years 9955 and 9956, until... Until their families try to kill them. Until the children from the future begin to arrive. Until their son birthed outside the body with their Merged elemental outer cores—Antonio Chandrani-Rivera—insists on killing his identical twin brother Fernando Chandrani-Rivera. Ranvir and Armando very quickly realize that they must solve the mystery of what their true goals once were within the Boundless, figure out how to get out of the Citadel, and grasp why Antonio and his friends are intruding within. After all, upon the true planet Imion within the galaxy in the year 9996, a 20-year-old Antonio’s gone ahead and confronted his once-affectionate friend Alejandro Altaha—the Alejandro who became their generation’s Protector of All Worlds at the cost of Antonio’s worldwide reputation—and this has spiraled into circumstances that leave Antonio on the brink of death. Only for the bright and happy memories of Antonio's teens to flood his mind… Back when he and Alejandro Altaha cared deeply about each other, and yet the understanding they gleaned regarding their ancient selves—the civilian Nasir Hadid versus the Lost Protector Shakir—still colored everything, including their continued 10,000 year rivalry over the simple stakes of saving the world. And then there are the machinations of Antonio's cousin Layla… She laughs over their rivalry, but Antonio knows one thing: she hides secrets like breathing and despite their camaraderie, she is surely worse than Alejandro.

Common Bonds 3 by Claudie Arseneault, Em Ishii, and RoAnna Sylver

TBBSB2026

Common Bonds strikes a third time with a new volume of 18 speculative short stories and poetry featuring aromantic characters and centering platonic relationships.

Common Bonds 2 by Claudie Arseneault, Em Ishii, and RoAnna Sylver

Common Bonds returns in this second volume of speculative short stories and poetry featuring aromantic characters. Housed within this anthology are a scientist who makes a terrifying discovery at the bottom of the ocean, a baker who must fulfill a prophecy, a priest and a witch who must form a family to escape a war, and a woman whose survival might just unravel time itself. Through nineteen stories and poems, Common Bonds 2 explores the bonds that impact our lives from beginning to end: platonic relationships. From friends with benefits to mentors to life partners, this collection explores platonic relationships strong enough to overcome barriers of species, alien invasions, and the power of the gods themselves.

Chains Of Deceit: Stitchbinding Chronicles Book 2 by A.E. Zeigler

TBB2025

A cure to find. A people to save. A romance running out of time. After the queen slips into the last stage of a mysterious plague, Princess Lineya, must travel to the treacherous mountains of Krashe in the midst of sworn enemies, hoping that the lost and forbidden Woolworsting craft has a stronger healing stitch. But before departing, she's forced to announce her engagement to Rhett, a Lynden nobleman, to bring hope to her people, but she despairs of a relationship with her true love Kemp. When an assassin threatens to kill Lineya, she must depend on the Krashe for support. Although she faces bandits, prejudice, scorn, and suspicion, she must win the trust of the Krashe and the heart of Kemp, who has no memory of the connection and kisses they had in the future. And Kemp's childhood sweetheart has prior claim on his affections. This girl can kill a black bear with her bare hands. Everyone assumes they will marry. Where does Lineya fit into his heart? How will Lineya and Kemp heal thousands of years of oppression, lies, and rekindle their love before the bandits and the assassin finish them all?

The Chosen One Con by Trudie Skies

TBB2025

Magic is a rich man's game. Archons control magic in the great city of Aefenhold. Brand-name spells, addictive potions, and celebrity TV keep the poor entertained while they toil in the factories manufacturing magic. That should have been the fate of Max and his childhood friend Lyle, until a violent workers’ strike tears their lives apart, condemning Lyle to the aetherstone mines and leaving Max orphaned with no choice but to sell his labour to a brothel. Life under the Archon's rule has given Max a taste for magical narcotics, and left Lyle with aether dust in his lungs and a deep resentment for magic. So when Aefenhold's rulers announce a televised contest to find the chosen one—a prophesized distraction to unite the city against its detractors—both Max and Lyle see an opportunity to con their way into the contest. Where Max seeks to steal magic for his freedom, Lyle views magic as a tool of oppression to be destroyed. Their old friendship will be tested as they're forced to become adversaries against famous rival mages in a series of magical trials. Whoever becomes the chosen one will change the shape of magic forever. But magic is a rich man's game, and should Max or Lyle be discovered as frauds, their deaths will be televised next. The Chosen One Con is the first book in the Lost in the Aether duology—a gaslamp fantasy of industrial magic in a world of designer enchantments and celebrity-branded potions. This is an adult book containing strong language and mature themes that some readers may find disturbing. For a full list of content warnings, visit Trudie Skies's website.

The End of Time by Trudie Skies

WHEN THE SAINTS FALL, THE SINNERS RISE. Calamity has befallen the steam-powered city of Chime as the gods declare war on each other, choosing Chime's streets as their battleground. Kayl has the means to end their reign for good and create a new world free from their whims. But recruiting an army against divine beings is no easy task, and as her allies fall one by one, Kayl is left to shoulder her burden alone. Finally free from his own god's shackles, Quen is bound in service to Chaos, who only wants revenge against Quen's former master. Torn between his desire for vengeance and justice, Quen is no stranger to the gods' cruelty and will do whatever it takes to see Kayl's vision through—even if it destroys his soul. To ensure a new future, Kayl and Quen must unite mortals against their makers and decide the gods' fate before time itself comes to an end. For the era of gods is over. The End of Time is the third and final book in The Cruel Gods series—a gaslamp fantasy featuring magical portals, gothic cosmic deities, quaint Britishisms, and steampunk vibes. This is an adult book containing strong language and mature themes that some readers may find disturbing. For a full list of content warnings, visit Trudie Skies's website.

Court of Snakes: Bitter Truth, Honeyed Justice by Tycho Dwelis

TBBSB2026

The city of Segeno is on edge. Terran, nearing his 18th birthday, struggles with the burdens of leadership. The people are restless, resources are dwindling, and chaos looms. Parisa, now happily engaged, aids where she can but is haunted by her father’s legacy. A stranger, Aumi, brings shocking news: the Great War never happened. The world outside Segeno has thrived, and the city’s isolation is built on lies. As this truth threatens to spark a riot, Terran and Parisa must decide whether or not to reveal it, risking their city’s collapse. In this gripping sequel, Terran and Parisa navigate power, identity, and truth in a city on the brink of revolution. Can they lead their people through the storm, or will Segeno Fall?

Aloe by Artemis Quinn

TBBSB2026

Aloe is Book 2 in the Tales From The Night Garden series. Acanthus and Cypress, an age old Vampire and a young new Werewolf, have accidentally started a war. Nekane, the Werewolf in charge, will go to any means necessary to capture Acanthus; meaning even humans are in danger. On the run, our non-binary heroes encounter others caught up in Nekane's hatred of vampires, witches, and any werewolves that fraternize with them! As Acanthus and Cypress regroup with the Night Garden, an underground organization committed to liberating any in Nekane's crosshairs, they're tasked with some of the hardest challenges they've faced yet! Friend or foe? It's hard to judge just who to trust in a world wrought with danger. In this second book of the Tales From The Night Garden universe, our protagonists continue their adventure in this game of chess with very real consequences. A gaggle of strays begin to expand their found family and a love that blazes bright in the night starts to break out of the darkness. What can Acanthus and Cypress do to convince Nekane to stand down, or are words not enough? How will these two fugitives handle inviting more refugees into their growing resistance? How will The Night Garden continue to save the disenfranchised Supernaturals when Nekane shows up at their Head Quarters' door!? No one knows, but both Cypress and Acanthus have decided they can't run anymore. It's time to stand up for what is right and just. Will you stand up with them on their next journey?

Lemon Balm by Artemis Quinn

Cypress Borne is 22 years old, a dashing young non-binary lad with a fairly easy life in New York City. That is — fairly easy until their routine is interrupted by a vicious dog attack on the way home from the gym. Their life turns upside down after that one singular event-- blackouts, unexplained fits of rage and lost time plague him. Two years of medical tests, therapy, and a life that's spiraling down the toilet later, they navigate their way through the panic attacks and the hopelessness to an old, derelict, and a seemingly abandoned church in the woods, away from the noise and the people. Little do they know, the church isn't abandoned but rather occupied by a vampire hoping to die and rotting in a coffin. Acanthus Sylene believes that a fine wine should never have an age attached, and neither should a fine being. Nonbinary in such a way that gender is completely irrelevant, Acanthus has lived a very long life and is frankly exhausted by it. Embroiled deeply into the politics of the World of Shadows, they have abandoned their duties to The Night Garden, a refugee path that they forged. But, something changes when a lost, scared, ignorant werewolf shows up on their door step. Both of these preternatural beings are looking for answers. Somehow, instead of finding their place in the world, they find each other. However, in the process of finding and growing with each other, they may have put their entire lives — and The Night Garden — at risk.

Tharaxis by Darren Joy

Tharaxis is the city of the dead. Within its walls, creatures known as souleaters hunt and feed. Lorn Larthuz, recently deceased, finds herself on a perilous quest to steal back the List of Souls, and end their reign of terror. Yaldo, a boy who pretends to be alive, searches for the family he may have only imagined. But when the Souleaters target him—it becomes clear they have darker plans for Yaldo. Can Lorn succeed in her bid to steal the List of Souls, and can Yaldo escape the Souleaters before he loses himself forever? Tharaxis is a dark epic fantasy tale of courage, sacrifice, and the resilience of the human spirit—even in death.

A Wrath of Souls by Darren Joy

Across the Spectrum of Existence, angelic hosts gather their strength. While the infamous duo, Manic and Mania, finalise their plan, a mysterious dark armada engulfs far flung lands. Threadfin Todder, recovering from a great loss, is woefully unprepared for the final battle. Struggling to relearn his magic, he knows there is no time to waste. Lucifer threatens existence itself, and will soon step on to the mortal plane. Astra Dar’s fractured soul is dominated by Lucifer, as she fights for sanity—for soon she will destroy the world, while Myral Azarm, now queen of vampires, battles a terrible bloodlust as she is caught between primal instinct and the memory of who she was. Meanwhile in Desool’s fractured kingdom, as he prepares for war, rebellion erupts in an attempt to cut out the heart of his kingship, and as Sarscha Todralan fights to save her imperium, disaster descends on her people. The final battle draws near—a desperate gambit to thwart the end of all things. Can they each defy fate, survive, and beat back the Darkness? “A Wrath of Souls” is an exciting conclusion to this dark epic fantasy tale, filled with chaos, dark magic, treachery, and death, all tempered by loyalty, friendship, and hope.

A Wretched Darkness by Darren Joy

Threadfin Todder, has been infected by a dark magic, and time is running out. His only hope is to find an ancient being known as the Despoiler. As his search brings him to a lost world, Threadfin discovers the cost may prove too high. Myral Azarm thought she had left her past behind, but when a name resurfaces, she’s must journey into the bowels of the underworld to find her destiny. Sarscha Todralan, the ruling imperatrix, has lost friends and family, and can’t settle into her role. When a dark witch threatens Icarthya, she must again take up the sword to defend her people. In the kingdom of Raddhon, civil war looms over the giants. Desool, the youngest son, seeks to become king. At stake is more than a throne, for the fabled Shathra Stone will belong to the victor. Four disparate paths collide in a world of magic and war as they fight for their lives and the survival of all. Will they each find the strength to overcome their past, and save the world? ‘A Wretched Darkness,’ is a high-stakes dark fantasy epic that explores the limits of good and evil, love and sacrifice, and the power of magic.

A Nefarious Grim by Darren Joy

Death is never the end. While the shadow of an ancient sorcerer plots to invade the world, an undead mage endeavours to stop him. With the shraeds of Tartaros continuing their relentless advance across the Spectrum, Threadfin Todder once more sets out to defeat the Grim. Meanwhile, his sister Aiyana is being hunted by an angelic assassin. She will soon make a perilous journey into the past to learn the secrets to unlocking the world’s only hope. And Sarscha Todralan, once a legend and now an irritable drunk, decides to infiltrate the enemy to foil a rebellion against the imperium. ‘A Nefarious Grim,’ is a dark epic fantasy tale stuffed with dark twists, unpredictable magic, and undead mages.

A Malignant Fetch by Darren Joy

The Father of Darkness and Reaper of souls, the Grim, seeks to reclaim the world, and he will stop at nothing to get it. Threadfin Todder, an imperial undead mage, is determined to get in his way. Though his magic is unreliable, his reputation questionable, his stubbornness is legendary. And, Lorn Larthuz, the thief who stole existence, walks the wasteland of another world to face the Grim and her fate. While, Myral Azarm, once a cult priestess, crosses a bleak desert to confront an ancient form of undead and the Grim’s own vengeance. As Threadfin once more confronts evil, he will discover a darkness within his own soul. ‘A Malignant Fetch,’ is a dark epic tale packed with undead creatures, snarky mages, delicious danger, and dark magic.

A Viral Imperium by Darren Joy

A plague‑born magic is awakening inside Threadfin Todder — hungry, volatile, and impossible to control. Exiled, undead, and hunted by a relentless shapeshifter, he races across the imperium to save his sister as a horde of armoured giants marches toward the capital. When the power inside him erupts, Threadfin becomes the only force capable of stopping a terror that turns cities to ash and stone to dust. At the heart of the empire, Princess Aiyana Todralan faces a usurper possessed by a fallen angel. With the throne stolen and her people trapped beneath a rising tide of monsters, Aiyana uncovers a truth older than the empire, one that could threaten existence itself. Two lives. One corrupted empire. A darkness older than the world. A Viral Imperium is a dark epic fantasy of ancient magic, monstrous legions, and a world on the edge of annihilation.

No Man's Daughter by Justine Lombardi

Fugitive Kára, the bastard daughter of a legendary hero, builds a new life on the mountain frontier, until bounty hunters find her, shattering her family’s cherished peace. To earn a pardon, she joins a hunting party sent to retrieve a wampus cat’s hide for the High King. It’s a perilous task, as the cat stalks the domain of the fierce and immortal Jotun. To survive, Kára plunders her father’s tomb, tearing Tyrfing, the last arcane weapon, from his undead hands. The rifle can slay any monster, but such strength comes at a terrible price: bloodlust and an unquenchable thirst for power. Immersive, propulsive, and compelling, No Man’s Daughter combines Norse paganism with Appalachian folklore in a darkly magical nineteenth-century world, focusing on a woman’s fight to return to her family.

Devious Demons by K.S. Krown

Love was never meant to save her—it was meant to burn the world down. Lilley Meade doesn’t remember who she was before London, before the dreams of wings and fire. Then she meets Max—fierce, magnetic, achingly familiar—and something ancient stirs inside her. But behind his gentle eyes lies another name… one that Heaven still fears to speak. Lucifer. As the truth unravels, Lucifer and his two fallen brothers emerge from the shadows—angels who once loved her, betrayed her, and damned themselves for her. Torn between Michael’s devotion and Lucifer’s consuming fire, Lilley must decide whether love will redeem them all… or finish what the fall began. Devious Demons is the first book in a dark fantasy saga of angels, temptation, and the price of forbidden love.

The Lineman by Christina K. Glover

GRASPING AT THREADS If there’s one thing Henley Yu has learned, it’s that nothing is easy when it involves Chief Operator Kittinger. The pair can finally face the world together, focused on the pursuit of the Ethereal lord who escaped into the Actuality. This time the mortal world won’t be a silent victim, and Kit and Henley will hunt their quarry with the help of mages who have plenty to lose. But Kit punched through something he shouldn’t have in the battle for the Order Headquarters. His transgression has opened him up to a darkness that swallows him whole, leaving him cold and his body empty. What is broken can only be mended by the hand of the maker. In his fight for Kit and their future together, Henley will need help from the only one who knows the real story behind the Between—but only if the Lineman is willing to lend his aid. Secrets will be revealed and the final battle unfolds as the Connections series comes to a close!

The Constellation Caves (PearlHeart Book 2) by Keilani McConnell

A group of sailors travels together across a tropical country, meeting new people and solving the mystery affecting those there. The crew of PearlHeart is on break after their most recent journey. Rath, One-Eye, his Spirit Lion, and others have chosen to spend it on Delphy, Rath's homeland. However, while traveling to where they are staying for the Summer, cracks begin appearing in different parts of the country and the group agrees to help find the cause in order to protect the Constellation Caves, which lay underground. ​For readers who love rich characters, mysteries, and traveling across fantasy worlds.

Breath of Darkness: Volume Two : Phoenix by Hüseyin Örskaya

From the ashes: reborn, but not the same. The crystals did not destroy the city. They rewrote it. A year after the night that changed everything, the survivors of Awakening are no longer survivors: they are carriers, translators, thresholds. The world has learned to speak through them, and they have learned, slowly, painfully, to answer without losing themselves. Anitta walks the crystal districts as a witness. Reha edits memory like a score. Onur reads the pulse of the new grid. Around them, a second Istanbul is rising, half architecture and half intention, and a decision is taking shape on every rooftop, in every stairwell, behind every locked door: whether to burn the past or carry it forward, transformed. Phoenix is a novel about what comes after survival. It is about the rooms that open only once you stop running. It is a fire that asks, gently, what you would like to become. Volume Two of Breath of Darkness, following Awakening. Literary science fiction translated from the Turkish.

Breath of Darkness: Volume One : Awakening by Hüseyin Örskaya

Find your way in the dark. Istanbul has exhaled its last breath. The sky bleeds an unnatural dusk, the Bosphorus hums with a light that does not belong to any known star, and crystal lattices have begun to grow out of the bones of the drowned city: threads of green, veins of violet, a second nervous system waking beneath the ruins. Anitta wakes in a world that is no longer the one she fell asleep in. Reha remembers a name that should not exist. Onur follows a signal no instrument can measure. Taru hears a voice that is almost, but not quite, human. Seven lives, seven fractures, one long tremor beneath the surface of the real. Something has opened a window between what we are and what is watching. In the silence that follows, each of them must decide which language to answer in. Awakening is the first movement of a story told in breath: literary science fiction from a new voice, translated from the Turkish Karanlığın Nefesi. For readers of Ted Chiang, Emily St. John Mandel, and Jeff VanderMeer.

Blessed is the Link by Sheri Singerling

Lenore lives in the shadow of her parents, Fenrir and Sophie. It’s been twenty years since they destroyed the Linkrot virus and, in doing so, restored the Link. A new world order has emerged with Fenrir and Sophie at the helm as wardens of the Link, dead set on protecting that enigmatic connection to other worlds. But Lenore doesn’t believe the ideology her parents spout. She defies them by joining revolutionaries determined to destroy the Link. After the rebels’ attempt fails, Fenrir and Sophie learn that the Linkrot virus isn’t wholly gone. It gnaws away at other Link nodes in other cities. As punishment for her involvement with the rebels, Lenore is forced to help her parents bolster the Link. They must travel into a land of unknowns and cleanse the nearest node of its Linkrot virus. Lenore doesn’t believe in their mission until she gets her first glimpse of the horrid creatures the Linkrot virus breeds. Were her parents right after all? Doubts consume Lenore, but there’s one thing she’s certain of—she’s not going to have her future decided for her. Can Lenore carve her own path and, what’s more, survive the deadly task ahead? Blessed is the Link is a dark science fantasy novel, the second in the Bit trilogy and part of the Alfom shared universe. It is highly recommended that readers complete book 1 in the Bit trilogy, Blessed is the Rot, prior to reading Blessed is the Link.

Our Ways Unmasked by C.B. Lansdell

Return to Knyadrea, a world of sea-born people shaped by tumultuous forces. Nearly a year after the events of Far Removed, the resourceful Oklas and guarded Prismer face a unique set of challenges in their socially stratified society. Knyadrea’s sovereigns grow ever more paranoid. Armed enforcers patrol Apidecca’s streets, and tensions escalate. With nothing to lose, Oklas Sayve turns to resyn for solutions. Could the mystical substance that unravelled his life also prove to be his salvation? There is no room for doubt. Too many are relying on his expertise. The knyads he once considered charities are now close friends and allies … and one of them might even be something more. New threats stand between Prismer and the dreams she’s only beginning to open herself up to. Venturing out from under the shadow of the Pentarchy, can she recover her faith in the knyad god, in herself, and in the people who see past her mask? In Our Ways Unmasked, the second book in the Apidecca Duology, Oklas and Prismer are not the only ones with an eye on the city’s future. Rebels, traitors, and scumbled outcasts have a myriad of reasons to seek change. Together, can they overcome an oppressive regime that has stood for hundreds of years? No Gen AI was used in the production of this book.

The Tidelings of Dras Sayve by C.B. Lansdell

Maverick diplomat Emis Rindar travels to the northernmost clan in the Dras Channel, seeking the assistance of an old friend. After a lifetime of adventures across Knyadrea, a large moon, his next planned endeavour will be unlike anything he has attempted. Isolated and enigmatic, the knyads of Dras Sayve keep even their neighbours at a distance, and few welcome the unorthodox ideas Emis brings from abroad. But all his breakthroughs happen here, and the Sayvians are the most technologically progressive knyads on the moon. Can Emis convince them that he will make a worthy mentor to one of their more curious juveniles? This story is set 30 years before the events of Far Removed (C.B. Lansdell’s debut sci-fi novel).

Together is a Distant Star by A.J. Calvin, V. Carvajal Leiva, Nancy Foster, Andrea Marie Johnson, Natalie Kelda, C.B. Lansdell, Karen Lykkebo, Erika McCorkle, Branwen OShea, Alyse N. Steves, Delilah Waan, Isabelle Wagner

How far would you go to find where you belong? A shapeshifting alien changeling raised by humans. The “wicked” child selected as the village sacrifice. People trapped in rigid belief systems, oppressive regimes, well-intentioned families, complicated relationships, and their very own bodies. Is it better to succumb and survive, or escape by staking everything on a slender hope? What triumphs in the end, love or vengeance? And if all that remains is ashes, is it still worth it? Grapple with these questions by diving into twelve new science fiction and fantasy stories. Together is a Distant Star is a collaborative anthology that encompasses authors hailing from Europe to Australia, South Africa to South America, and celebrates a kaleidoscope of perspectives—female, nonbinary, BIPOC, queer, and more. Featuring stories from: A.J. Calvin, C.B. Lansdell, Nancy Foster, V. Carvajal Leiva, Karen Lykkebo, Erika McCorkle, Branwen OShea, Alyse Steves, Delilah Waan, and Isabelle Wagner.

Alien Tower: An Alien Shifter Romance (Alien Wolf Tales #8) by Honey Phillips

The tower was never meant to keep her safe. It was meant to keep her hidden. Locked in a lonely tower where the jungle meets the sea, Liora has spent her entire life under the protection of a watchful AI guardian. She has never left the tower. Never met another person. Until a massive Vultor warrior appears at her door. Baylin came south to investigate an almost forgotten structure mentioned in an old colony record. He never expected to find a beautiful female living inside. Curious, brave, and far too trusting, Liora is fascinated by the dangerous warrior who has suddenly entered her carefully controlled world. But when Baylin discovers she carries a powerful secret, he must decide if he can break the tower’s hold before the world discovers she exists. Because the moment Liora steps outside the walls… everything will change. A spicy standalone sci-fi fairytale retelling featuring an isolated heroine, a protective alien wolf shifter, and a tower that was never meant to be opened.

The Nature of Shadow by Emma.R.Schofield

Will she be cast out of the one place she has left to go? Anhame, the Hall under the six point star, is the only place Lia can learn how to use her terrifying powers. But to take the oath, and to pass through the trials, she must conceal the darkness that is her nature. How long can she hide her dark secret from the Masters of her craft? And if they find out, what will they do to ensure she is not a danger to everyone around her? The Nature of Shadow is the first book in a literary high fantasy series of five. It is for people who love myth and magic, dragons and sword bearers, and walking the path of story with a frighteningly powerful protagonist who nevertheless faces entirely human struggles. Low on sex and violence, but rich in character development, atmosphere and world-building, it is suitable for fantasy lovers from young adult to long-retired elder.

Shadows We Cast by James Chance

After their return from the Underworld, Vincent, Henry, and their pack find themselves with a new mission: break open the portals to Heaven and Hell, so every spirit can find their way to a peaceful afterlife. The catch: figuring out how to do it without a human sacrifice. The second catch: Vincent’s hellhound kin also have a new mission–to hunt him down, and kill anyone who gets in their way. With hellhounds and Shadowhand closing in fast, they need all the help they can get–even from some old friends they would rather have left behind. But together, they might be able to carve out one last chance to right the wrongs of history. To do it, they must travel across the ruins of Heaven, back through the depths of Hell, and even to the deepest crevices in the mind of a vengeful god. But they may just find that the doorway to saving mortalkind resides not in the mind, but the heart…and Vincent and Henry’s love could be the only key.

Turtle Journey and Other Silent Comics (Silent Comics Book 2) by Keilani McConnell

Five heartwarming, traditionally drawn comics following different animals on their journeys A turtle travels to a mountain, meeting friends along the way; a seagull finds a group of students attending a magic class and decides he wants to try it, too; a brachiosaurus guides the stars to their places in the night sky; a mouse makes their way through a snowy forest; a dragon and dragonfly fly together to different islands. Each comic is appropriate for all ages and reading levels, with uplifting and wholesome stories. Includes five comics: Turtle Journey Seagull Magic Dino Stars Snow Mouse The Dragon and the Dragonfly

The Inescapable March by Hana Carolina

Arran, a widely feared warrior-mage who can manipulate time and space, and his best friend, Hyacinth, an almost-famous actor and talented singer adored by (too) many, find themselves trapped in a recurring nightmare ending with their deaths. Separated amid a blood-soaked war, they keep meeting again, lost in a hazy space between winter and spring, dream and reality, friendship and love.

God's Scar by Ivy Margriette

"I was born from love, yet I am heaven’s greatest heresy." Born of angel and demon, the half-breed is raised in captivity until the day he escapes, carrying only a single forbidden tenderness from a healer angel who defied Heaven to hold him for a single night. When the healer is taken into the Demon Realm as a sacrificial offering, the half-breed tears through demon arenas, claims a throne he never wanted, and crosses the void where souls face eternal erasure. He encounters angels of all ranks, demon lords and fallen beings, all to reach that one love that he was never allowed to want. This is a journey that asks whether a soul born as heresy can claim the right to love, and to be loved in return. “Let them see it. Let them feel the weight of everything I was never allowed to be. I will not cower.” God's Scar is a slow-burn, emotionally intense, M/M dark fantasy romance of forbidden devotion, visceral worldbuilding, and the quiet violence of choosing to love in a cosmos built to destroy you. “I just want you. Painfully. Desperately. Endlessly. You are the only reason worth living for. The only thing that makes this world bearable.” - Slow-burn, non-explicit M/M romance. - Gritty, lyrical storytelling. - The ache, yearning, and grief that love demands. - Touch him and die. - Who did this to you? - Forced proximity. - Found family. - Vivid, immersive, theological worldbuilding. - Epic fantasy grounded in philosophy and emotional depth. - Character-driven saga - Morally grey demons and angels. - Not a fast read. A lasting one. “Because love was not the warmth they sang about in hymns. Love made you vulnerable, exposed to the sheer, naked terror of caring enough to lose everything.” For readers who love 'Angels Before Man' by Rafael Nicolas and 'Paradise Lost' by John Milton. For readers who want prose that reads like prayers. For readers who want vivid, epic Heaven and Hell. For readers who need love to cost everything, but then cost more. For readers who choose to be emotionally devastated. For readers who want an ending that will leave them quiet.

Amity in the House of Her Enemy by Hiyodori

It was an undeserved hatred, but she knew one day she would earn it. Amity already got her revenge. Since childhood, she's secretly worked to bring down the wealthy mage who destroyed her family. After succeeding, she runs away to start a new life under a stolen identity. Years later, she turns thirty, and the mage’s daughter—Juniper—tracks her down. Amity (a born servant) and Juniper (heir to a magical lord) have a long and unpleasant history. They clashed as children, and again in college, while Amity pursued vengeance against Juniper's clan. Amity shamelessly wielded every weapon at her disposal: her wits, her looks, her healing abilities, and her fearlessness. In those days, lying and sabotage were her bread and butter. Icy, uptight Juniper couldn't be more different. She’s always been a stickler for the law. But now the government wants to make an example of Amity for her crimes, and Juniper steps in to protect her. This can't possibly be an act of compassion… yet, given the choice between going with Juniper or going to jail, Amity chooses Juniper. A dangerous gamble. Juniper still has the legal right to claim her as an indentured servant. By trapping Amity in the desolate old mansion where it all began, perhaps Juniper can finally start to exact her own long-awaited revenge. Amity in the House of Her Enemy is a twisty and extremely slow-burn f/f romance featuring childhood enemies, hurt/comfort, family drama, and the very tentative beginnings of a movement against the greatest foe of all: the mageocracy itself. This novel takes place in the same contemporary fantasy world as the Clem & Wist series, but can be read and enjoyed as a standalone story.

Usurper's Might: Book Six of New Blood by W.D. Kilpack III

The future of Mankind relies on the Guardian of Maarihk. As the Usurper's darkness rises, will Natharr and the scattered Rilari stay the path when hope becomes dire? The Rilari are scattered, each forced down a different path as the Usurper’s power spreads across the continents like a growing storm. The Guardian of Maarihk, Ellis the Elder, Thair, and the remaining Knights of Ril fight to preserve the last fragile remnants of peace — yet even survival becomes uncertain as the darkness foretold in Natharr’s Sight draws ever closer, shadowing their every step. Meanwhile, Nathan endures the unforgiving mentorship of one of the Empire’s greatest warriors. Driven by a hunger for ultimate vengeance, he is pushed to the edge of his limits. But as his strength grows, so does the question that haunts him: how far will he go to claim the justice he seeks — and what will it cost him when the moment finally comes?

Outskirts of Oblivion by A. Q. Adams

Under the iron grip of The Keep, the world is fractured, each piece ruled by a tyrant. In Xenos Eleven, peasants huddle near the throne for their daily bread—but every morsel comes with a price. Rebellion is nearly impossible, yet a few gifted dreamers dare to challenge the regime. Phaidon Tteldran is one of them. Forced to flee the city with his friends, he trades the suffocating streets for the run-down outskirts, where freedom is a dangerous gamble. Kale Vess, overlord of this realm, could use his precogs to detect crime before it happens—but he prefers a crueler game, purging the guilty and innocent alike at random. Colonel Grant “Brimstone” Brim is a prisoner in a remote facility, moved from the battlefield to a deadly game of wits. Freedom is the ultimate gambit—but Dr. Volkov and her subordinates are already reaching for checkmate. As Phaidon and his companions fall under Vess’s predatory gaze, the horizon looms with a climactic showdown. Do they have what it takes to stay uncaged? This story is only the spark. Beyond it stretches a universe of monstrous intricacy—humming, coiled, and waiting to explode.

Shades of Onyx by TJ Williams

Medusa’s story didn’t end. It went on, and on and on… Now her time is up. The gorgon of mythical infamy now goes by Onyx; the latest in a long line of reincarnations. She gets by, avoiding attachments that make immortality more unbearable. She wouldn’t have chosen this life. But gods have never cared what she wanted, not even the ones who saved her from Athena’s wrath. Now, sinister whispers about the vengeful goddess and a sudden change in circumstances have Onyx spooked. Perhaps, if she tracks down something Athena wants, she can earn a reprieve. Blake Mihara’s research skills are important, but so is the way they look at Onyx. She should be focused on the task at hand, not how they make her feel after centuries of loneliness. When they both end up stuck in the Underworld, Onyx’s choices narrow to almost nothing. The Goddess of War wants to kill her, and now the Lord of the Dead wants to keep her. But with Blake stubbornly at her side, hope isn’t entirely lost. Maybe there’s a way out of this hell. The question is, which one? The one inflicted on Onyx, or the one she inflicted on herself? Shades of Onyx is a single POV, sapphic romance containing reimagined elements of various Greek and Roman mythologies—it is not a retelling. There are content warnings in the book and at www.tjwilliams.uk