Tag Archives: Dark Fantasy

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Dark Fantasy Promo – Red Noon at Helltowne

January 19, 2017 Michael DeAngelo Leave a comment

We have been raring to go, taking trips back and forth from the Otherworld this month, and today it seems will be no different. In the past couple of weeks, we’ve done some high fantasy, and some contemporary fantasy, but why not look at a dark future now?

The Night Skies Over Valhallow world is Dan Osarchuk’s take on dystopian fantasy. He’s been at it for a long while, turning Earth into something darker that echoes the ages long past. Red Noon at Helltowne is his latest fare, and you can see just from the first few pages how robust the world is. A mix of fantasy, humor, action and political intrigue, the works of Osarchuk also serve an allegorical purpose. More than once there’s a few stabs taken at the world we currently live in.

On the road to revenge, Oborren and his eccentric allies must face not only the terrifying supernatural threats of Helltowne, but also the insidious philosophy pushed by that accursed land’s red dwarf masters: Equalitarianism. Devils and darkness; red flags and tyranny abound, and it is up to the brave adventurers to stop Commissar General Noel and his machinations to ‘Abolish Humanness’, including his scheme to unleash a mighty weapon of the Ancients upon them all!

But the vile plans of the red dwarves are not contained to Helltowne. Elfriede, the savages of Fjord Vallee, and others must work to free the land of Dinglesfuhr from the bizarre Glowing Spectral Personhood cult. Thanks to such supporters of Underreign, including the former leader of that land, Mekla, goblins were even invited into Dinglesfuhr! Now they have devastated it and subjected its inhabitants to a life of oppression, terror, and death.

Set in the Night Skies Over Valhallow world of the fantasy future, Red Noon at Helltowne is the first book in the new Vale War trilogy. A map and comprehensive glossary are included for those new to this setting, so that they can immediately begin enjoying this amazing work.

Red Noon at Helltowne: a must-read for fans of dark fantasy, action, humor, as well as saving the world from the lies and calamities of Equalitarianism.

It’s never too late to jump on board and see what makes Osarchuk’s world so deep and rich. While you can head over to the author’s website to see what he’s been up to, now is the best time to pick up Red Noon at Helltowne from Amazon. It’s on sale for just 99 cents! You’ll see right away why Osarchuk keeps plugging away at these books.

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Fantasy Promo – Bad Blood

April 15, 2016 Michael DeAngelo Leave a comment

Great dark and occult fantasies are far and few between, but we at Tellest have been lucky enough to feature a few. Still, we’re always on the lookout for great new stories, and it seems we’ve found one! We have the privilege of introducing you to a new series called the Wages of Sin.

Sophie Smith and Laurencia Hoffman bring us a great tale that toes the line between traditional and urban fantasies in a lot of cool ways. Bad Blood is an occult fantasy that also blends elements of romance and features some delicious darkness. This is definitely not your typical look at vampires, and that breath of fresh air is worth every turn of the page.

Vampire Blake Auckley develops a wild and rebellious nature that puts him and all humans who are unlucky enough to make his acquaintance in danger. Abandoned by his maker, Melina, the night he was created, Blake is used to being on his own, but when she suddenly reappears in his life, it changes his world yet again.

Though forgiving and forgetting the past is hard, Blake and Melina attempt to put their differences aside and repair their relationship. However, with dark secrets and old wounds marking their souls, Blake’s enemies not far behind, and so many obstacles still ahead they must fight to survive the danger, as well as each other.

With action that compels you to keep turning the page, this story is one that you simply won’t put down. If you’re interested in Smith and Hoffman’s excellent collaborative effort, check out Bad Blood on Amazon now. And if you dig the great storytelling here, you’re sure to enjoy Hoffman’s other released tales.

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Dark Fantasy Promo – Sweet Surrender

April 4, 2016 Michael DeAngelo 2 Comments

It’s been a while since we’ve had a good dark fantasy to share. Let’s make amends today by showcasing one from a new author on the block. Daccari Buchelli manages to put a fresh spin on some things that were going on in middle ages Europe with Sweet Surrender, which is aimed toward young adults.

Buchelli has a sort of innocent sensibility with his story. The heroine, Violetta, grows over the course of the work, but she starts off as a meek little thing. As she becomes more aware of the power inside, she does things that even she would think were impossible earlier on. This speaks to the market of this book. There’s a strength inside everyone, and this story aims to prove that.

Young Violetta lives on the magical island of Peradon, whose four realms struggle to sustain a crumbling alliance. With her entire family killed in a mysterious storm, Violetta, as the only heir to the throne of the Flame Realm, is forced to forfeit her only chance at freedom when she is urged to pick a suitor the moment she comes of age.

After her life is saved by the charming Emperor Ryore, the fifteen year old Violetta accepts his marriage proposal. Unable to produce an heir, their marriage soon starts falling to pieces, but soon Ryore’s mysterious brother, prince Fadius offers them a solution. Violette is made to undergo an ancient fertility ritual.

Ryore learns that the ritual is in fact nothing more than a scheme, draining him of his magic. He becomes vengeful and blames his young wife. Violetta has no choice but to confide in her confidant, Jermise.

Upon being charged for his crimes, Ryore finds himself trapped with an army knocking at his gates. Violetta is now faced with a grave choice; stay and surrender her will forever, or strive for freedom by doing the unthinkable.

Buchelli’s freshman work does not demonstrate itself as such. He manages to paint a colorful world in this dark genre, and once you’re a part of it, it’s not easy to leave. If you’re interested in checking out Sweet Surrender, you can pick it up on Amazon.

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Dark Fantasy Promo – Take the Body and Give Me the Rest

December 20, 2015 Michael DeAngelo Leave a comment

Dark Fantasy is tricky business. You want to make sure that your work appeals to a large enough audience without scaring them off, and you have to be careful with a lot of different elements to reach that perfect balance. If just one of those sides of the scale tips too far, you risk making something sinister seem campy, or you make magic seem too whimsical.

Julius Schenk is a new author from Australia who effectively disguises that distinction. If you read his work, you’ll think that he’s been at this all his life. Take the Body and Give Me the Rest is the first book in a three part fantasy that Schenk is delivering, and it comes with that aforementioned balance we spoke of. With authentic characters and interesting scenarios that unfold, Take the Body will most certainly appeal to fans of darker, grittier tales.

A soldier betrayed and sold into slavery
His reluctant pact with a forgotten god from the realm of the dead
Stolen skills and abilities, brought with the blood and sacrifice of his enemies
A battle to stay true in the face of a growing temptation to kill

Seth stood and watched the nightmare creature as it tore its past master into bloody shreds and tried not to let the gripping fear show on his face. He could feel the man’s life force, his memories, his talents and hard won skills filling his own mind and body, turning him into something much more than the lowly soldier he’d been just mere moments before.

Take The Body and Give me the Rest, is the first novel in the new Dark Fantasy series, by Julius Schenk, a new Australian Fantasy Author.

Schenk is a growing force in the literary world—you can bet on that. With this first book under his belt, it’s a certainty that he’ll only grow as an author and a storyteller, even though this doesn’t seem like his first rodeo. If you’re interested in picking up Take the Body and Leave Me the Rest, you can purchase it from Amazon.

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Dark Fantasy Promo – Anaerfell

November 20, 2015 Michael DeAngelo Leave a comment

It’s been a while since we had a horror or dark fantasy to promote from the Otherworld. You don’t often see them on Amazon either. Still, my only regret is that we weren’t able to talk about this next one around Halloween. A nice, sobering fantasy filled with things that might make your skin crawl.

Two authors, Joshua Robertson and J. C. Boyd have collaborated to bring to you the tale of Anaerfell. It’s a story with a lot of gritty, grey areas, perfect for what’s become a part of the fantasy landscape with the growing popularity of things like Game of Thrones. The world itself is intriguing and rich, but it’s the characters who will really capture your attention. They aren’t painted in any specific colors. Rather, you could find yourself loving them and hating them in the same chapter. It’s definitely and interesting tale that the authors have crafted here.

Drast, cunning but reckless, is on the hunt for admiration. Tyran, calculating but tactless, is in search of affection. Bound by a friendship thicker than blood, the two brothers have been hardened by their father’s ambitions. Drast and Tyran are forced to set aside their own hopes and dreams during their struggle to fulfill their father’s desire for immortality. The two will face skin-switchers and dragons, ultimately leading to a final clash with Wolos, God of the Dead.

Part of a growing universe called Thrice Nine Legends, Anaerfell has a huge amount of support moving it forward. Folks are already loving the interesting characters and chilling world of this story. If you want a gritty read to throw yourself into, check out Anaerfell on Amazon. And don’t forget to visit the authors’ website, which is filled with links to their other books, and news about what is to come.

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Dark Fantasy Promo – Power of Shadow

September 7, 2015 Michael DeAngelo Leave a comment

Dark fantasies certainly have their place. We don’t usually see too many of them come through from the Otherworld, and indeed, they aren’t focused on too much in film or television unless they’re called Game of Thrones. That can be a little grim for some people, which is why it’s nice to strike a balance.

If that balanced, darker story is attractive to you, you might want to check out Power of Shadow, the first book in the Earth, Blood and Shadow series, by Dean Chalmers. It’s dark, as the name suggests, and may even tread the line toward grimness, dance that line and then completely cross it. But at its heart is a story that can be enjoyed by anyone. Chalmers has an interesting written voice, and sometimes that can make all the difference.

A shy young mage awakens to a potent power…

Phantist just wants to be an entertainer, earning his living with his shadow magic. But then, an ancient elemental evil known as Earth Darkness declares war on the land… And the shadow mages are its first target.

Now, to save his people and his country, Phantist joins with an eccentric lightning-mage and a mysterious female soldier on a quest to stop Earth Darkness and its murderous plans.

But this battle demands that Phantist find the warrior within himself… And that he must embrace the darkest, deadliest aspects of his own magic.

A brilliantly written first-person story, Power of Shadow is a fun escapist tale. Right from the get-go, Phantist is in over his head, and with every turn of the page, you’re that much more excited to see where the story is bound to go. Before you know it, you’re halfway through the book!

If you’re interested in Phantist and his adventures, pick up Power of Shadow on Amazon today. And don’t forget, this is only the first book in the Earth, Blood and Shadow series.

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Dark Fantasy Promo – Awake

April 1, 2015 Michael DeAngelo Leave a comment

We’ve got a treat for you today! Not to be confused with the Tellest novella of the same name, Awake by Lana Moon treads its own awesome path. The talented Moon has been writing for over a decade, and her own personal experience with “forgotten” places in Missouri and Illinois led to her become an incredible force when it comes to horror and fantasy. And Awake in particular just oozes that eerie dark awesomeness.

AWAKE:
After losing her family to a tornado, the only thing that can help guilt-ridden Eve Cleary find peace is a nightmare come to life: a dangerous incubus whose masterful caresses have the power to grant her deepest desires.

RESTLESS
Tormented by nightmares since the death of her family in a devastating tornado, Eve has returned to her Missouri hometown to face her painful past. There, in her aunt’s long-abandoned cottage, she meets an unlikely healer: a gorgeous incubus on the prowl for a mate. Victor offers Eve innocent comfort and soothing caresses, but his demonic nature won’t long be denied.

WANTING
For thousands of years, Victor has preyed on women’s hidden desires while his own longings have gone unfulfilled. Now, at last, he’s met the woman of his dreams. But while their passion is quick to ignite, their future is far from certain. Eve’s feelings of guilt and Victor’s own dark deeds still haunt them. If Eve gives him her body yet withholds her trust, an enemy from Victor’s past could end their love—and him—forever.

Again, Lana Moon is an uncanny force in dark fantasy. If that’s up your alley, it really would serve you well to look at her work. She has a wonderful website that you could investigate. Or if you just want to get right down to business, Awake is available on Amazon, here.

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