Here at Tellest, we’re committed to bringing you the best fantasy stories and fantasy promos that we can. That includes helping you along the way to find other great talents and their works of passion. Over the past year, we’ve managed to work with hundreds of authors in our Otherworld segments. These authors might have fantasy tales that closely mimic that what you see in Tellest, or they might be as far beyond as the stars themselves. But what they all have in common is that they were written specifically with fans of the genre in mind. These writers deserve your attention, for if you’re here, you’re looking for your next great read.

Below, you will see a list of headings that will lead you directly to each of the sub-genres that we’ve slotted these stories into. Some of them may need refinement as time goes on, but we hope that we’re able to tell you enough about them to pique your interest. Clicking on the covers will bring you to each story’s Amazon page, where you’ll be able to see blurbs for the individual works. We truly hope you find your next favorite story right here!

*Please note: if you purchase a book from one of the links below, I may receive compensation through Amazon’s affiliate program.

Contents

Traditional Fantasy
Urban Fantasy
Children’s Fantasy
Dark Fantasy/Horror
Science Fantasy
Historical/Military Fantasy
Science Fiction
LitRPG, Choose Your Own Adventure, and Interactive Content
Manga and Comics

Traditional Fantasy

Dog of War (Book 1 of the Dog of War Saga)

Sword Songs

Wings of Ember

Forged in Gold, Book One of the Golden One Trilogy

The Calling

Bridge of Blood and Thorns: The Isdralan Chronicles

The Avant Champion: Rising

The Warlock (The Wanderers Cycle)

Shadow of the Sword: A Tale of Alamore

The Frostlands: Saga of the Brightflame: Book Two

Orc: Saga of the Brightflame: The Complete Saga

Newcomer author Ashley Griffin may be debuting her first fantasy novel in The Spindle, but a career in entertainment placed her on a journey for greatness that shines within the pages of her book.  A twist on the classic Sleeping Beauty, The Spindle takes readers on a different path, through the eyes of the dark fairy.  Breathing new life into the fairytale that is more akin to Wicked than it is to something like Malificent, the book serves not only as a great and whimsical time in a new twist on an old tale, but also puts Griffin’s talents on display, demonstrating the breadth in her ability of storycraft.  Whether it’s the catching new characters, the world of connective tissue that’s been created, or the snappy sequences and dialog, the author is at home creating.

A veritable renaissance woman, Ashley Griffin shows again and again that no matter what she sets her mind to, she can achieve.  And while she has cultivated skills in other industries on her way here, The Spindle shows that she still has new tricks to put on display.  She is adept at bringing fantasy to life, and leading readers from one page to the next with an abundance of magic and majesty.  It’s also wonderful seeing different perspectives, and finding the truth caught between everyone else’s stories.  In any case, this is one story you should not sleep on.  Check out The Spindle by Ashley Griffin on Amazon today!

The newest book in Valena D’Angelis’s Tempest of Bravoure series is here.  You’ll recall that we promoted the first in her series, Kingdom Ascent, a while back, but the trilogy is now complete, with City of the Dead finally upon us.  A Tellest ally ever since the first book came out a year ago (and an occasional Tellest storyteller, to boot), we’re incredibly excited for and proud of Valena and what she’s been able to accomplish in so short a time.  City of the Dead continues her wonderful worldbuilding, attention to detail, and exquisite character development.

Since Kingdom Ascent came out, it was clear that Valena D’Angelis was going to be a force to be reckoned with in the fantasy writing field.  That she has been able to accomplish so much in so short a time in a testament to her work ethic and her passion for the world she’s building.  Readers will delight in a return to Terra, in this book and beyond.  But for now, it’s a great time to grab D’Angelis’s first trilogy.  It’s one you won’t want to miss.  Check out Tempest of Bravoure: City of the Dead on Amazon today.

 

Tempest of Bravoure: Kingdom Ascent

Valena D’Angelis is as passionate about fantasy as you can get, and her work on her debut, Tempest of Bravoure: Kingdom Ascent, shows it.  The story is vast, with its characters wrapped up in it.  D’Angelis makes easy work of balancing the history of Bravoure with the heroes, new and old, who are fighting for it.  Those characters are compelling and varied as well, and readers will no doubt grow to feel protective and worried for them as they press against the darkness that mars the land.

Unleashing deep, rich storylines, enjoyable character interactions, and compelling surprises upon her readers, D’Angelis is a storytelling force to watch out for.  As spectacular as this first book is, it’s clear that Kingdom Ascent is setting the stage for something even greater.  Before D’Angelis releases the second book, it’s a great time to pick up the first installment.  Who knows?  You might even want to reread it when you’re done.  Check out Tempest of Bravoure: Kingdom Ascent on Amazon today!

 

Up.

Urban/Contemporary Fantasy

BloodStone: A Paranormal Mystery (The Samantha Nightshade Series Book 1)

Author Cheri Myst delivers a story that’s quick, clever, and deliciously dark with new first in series, BloodStone: A Paranormal Mystery.  With a mix of sharp humor, crime-thriller tension, and paranormal intrigue, Bloodstone feels like a pulpy detective serial with a supernatural twist.  It’s wicked and witty, with humorous, snappy one-liners, and a sarcastic lead that many readers would no doubt die for.  The quirky blend of murder mystery and vampire politics is enchanting, and it grounded the audience in a world that moves at breakneck speed.

Myst’s debut in the Samantha Nightshade series is a fast-paced tale that leaves you eager for more, and promises that Samantha Nightshade’s adventures are only just beginning.  With its mix of crime, comedy, and the paranormal, Bloodstone is a fun, fast, and biting read that sets the stage for bigger things to come.  For readers who enjoy urban fantasy with sharp-tongued heroes and a twist of the macabre, this is a series worth sinking your teeth into.  And there’s never been a better time to get into it, because the second and third books are already out.  Don’t wait.  Check out BloodStone: A Paranormal Mystery (The Samantha Nightshade Series Book 1) on Amazon today!

Secret Empires – Volume 1: Darkness and Rays of Light

Debut fantasy author Alex Ambrosio, brings his recent Italian release of Secret Empires – Volume 1: Darkness and Rays of Light to English readers in a sensible and finely tuned package.  Ambrosio’s prose, carried faithfully through translation, flows with a clarity and energy that feels natural in English. The story wastes no time in pulling readers in, maintaining a tension that never falters, while balancing moments of reflection and wonder. The originality of Secret Empires is as striking as it is catching.  Mysteries linger at the edges, waiting to be uncovered, and the blending of magic, action, and spirituality creates a layered reading experience. Fans of Shadowhunters or The Da Vinci Code will find familiar sparks here, but the novel forges its own path, weaving those threads into something fresh.

Secret Empires is a breath of fresh air in the fantasy landscape, with a fine blend of originality, depth, and momentum.  Ambrosio’s storytelling is at once intimate and expansive, a blend of thrilling action and thoughtful reflection that leaves readers satisfied yet eager for more.  Alongside interesting characters that are easy to root for, the time spent in this alternate version of our world is immersive and captivating.  The empire’s secrets are waiting to be uncovered. Check out Secret Empires – Volume 1: Darkness and Rays of Light on Amazon today!

The Oceanids (Branchview Book 5)

Author Brian Jay Nelson returns with a story that is equal parts wonder and warning.  With The Oceanids (Branchview Book 5), he delivers a powerful tale of discovery, consequence, and unity. Nelson excels at creating characters that feel like family, giving readers protagonists they can root for and empathize with. His world, both above and beneath the water, feels lived in and real, with myth woven seamlessly into modern-day conflicts. As always, he explores the tension between humanity and the supernatural with care and clarity, reminding us that coexistence requires both courage and compassion.

Secrets are about to surface, and what was once legend now demands to be reckoned with.  Nelson always keeps readers on the edge of their seats as new revelations hit the page.  Infused with magic that stirs the imagination, fans will be overjoyed just to spend time in another of the author’s epic releases.  With four books already anchoring the Branchview saga, The Oceanids brings a deeper and more expansive look at Nelson’s unique vision. It’s a story that ripples with meaning, momentum, and magic.  If you’ve yet to dip your toes into this world, there’s never been a better time to dive in.  Check out The Oceanids (Branchview Book 5) by Brian Jay Nelson on Amazon today!

The Blues of Atlantis

Author Patricia Elliott brings heartfelt emotion and thrilling intrigue to her latest story, The Blues of Atlantis. An international bestselling writer, Elliott has a gift for weaving a life full of experience, and a world of imagination into fantastical narratives. Her writing is fast-paced and grounded in authentic human emotion, which helps The Blues of Atlantis resonate on both epic and intimate levels. With a sharp sense of suspense and a unique approach to mythology, she creates a world where every secret could lead to a change in one’s fate. Readers will find themselves hooked not only by the story’s twists, but by the raw emotion that pulses beneath every page.

With elements of suspense, fantasy, and family drama, The Blues of Atlantis is perfect for readers who enjoy stories that blend modern-day struggles with mythical undertones. Whether you’re looking for something captivating and immersive, or something with a bit of popcorn fun, Elliott has got her readers covered.  It’s a deeply personal tale, written by an author who knows the value of escape, and the power of storytelling. Now is the perfect time to discover what this fantastic storyteller is capable of. Check out The Blues of Atlantis, by Patricia Elliott, on Amazon today!

A Haunting Deception, Ascension Series Book 1

Author Micah Briarmoon brings an award-winning ghost story out of the mist with his debut title, A Haunting Deception, Ascension Series Book 1.  It’s a deeply engrossing look at the way that spiritual energy interacts with our world, and it isn’t played for big reactions or shock, but for the emotional resonance it is capable of.  Briarmoon’s characters feel multi-dimensional, not like they are scribbles in a page, but real people who might exist beyond just what’s been written about them.  They’ve lived lives before readers meet them, and because of that, there’s more at stake than merely reading about a new revelation.  They’re also flawed, apt to make mistakes, and feel more human because of that.  All told, it’s an immersive story that has great depth, even before you get to the supernatural elements of the story, which Briarmoon also excels at developing.

Though A Haunting Deception takes place in our world, it’s also got layers of otherworldly, paranormal notions that make it feel like something more.  Not just a ghost story, it’s also got a sort of crime drama veneer sitting atop the tale as well, and neither of these points detract from one another.  Instead, Briarmoon strikes a careful balance, weaving a narrative that is better than all of its individual parts.  If you’d like to see how this substantial tapestry unfolds, don’t hesitate.  With two other books on the way, now is a great time to dive into this wonderful series.  Check out A Haunting Deception, Ascension Series Book 1, on the author’s website today.

The Shadows We Call Home: A Tale of Transformation and the Pursuit of Truth

Author Kieron J. Prescott leads readers down an interesting path in his debut fiction, The Shadows We Call Home: A Tale of Transformation and the Pursuit of Truth.  It’s a quick journey, but it would be hard describe it as a light read, because it tackles some heavier concepts.  Yet every step of the way, Prescott makes it fun and accessible, a captivating tale that has its main character looking inward as much as outward.  While some authors might create a world with sweeping landscapes and shocking landmarks, the worldbuilding here is inside oneself, and in Shadows, we see the foundation that builds toward something impressive and entertaining throughout.

Philosophy makes you think, and fantasy makes you dream, and The Shadows We Call Home has a nice balance of both.  Prescott paints a pretty enough picture with just his prose, but there are also some attractive illustrations in the book that help to bring it to life as well.  Allegorical content is sometimes hard to balance with entertainment value, but Prescott finds the perfect blend to make keep an audience engaged throughout the read.  If you’re ready to take a journey that is sure to make you think and crack a grin, don’t wait.  Check out The Shadows We Call Home: A Tale of Transformation and the Pursuit of Truth on Amazon today.

Emerald City, P.D.: “D” is for Dorothy

Author Steve Margolis shows his wit in the darkly satirical fantasy, Emerald City, P.D.: “D” is for Dorothy, a twist on not just Wizard of Oz, but many of the other characters you’ve grown to love who are now in the public domain.  From the very first page, readers will be drawn into the teasingly entertaining banter, the way that the author weaves in all sorts of classic properties, and still leaves plenty of room to tell a story that is fun all on its own.  There are twists and turns, usually all done in a cheeky way to the original source material, and it will have folks eagerly awaiting what will come next, whether it’s seeing what character may show up from the shadows, or to find out just who may be in danger.

Yes, Emerald City, P.D. is a satire at heart, but it’s done so well, with plenty of tongue-in-cheek-and-other-places vibes that will crack a smile wide enough that readers may need to seek medical attention.  But even in those moments where a grin isn’t the main event, there’s still plenty of excitement to be had with rejiggered versions of classic characters that you might find around the next page.  And since there’s a tremendous amount of public domain content at hand, Margolis has all the fodder he needs to keep playing in this world, should he want to, so there’s no better time than now to acclimate to his realms.  Check out Emerald City, P.D.: “D” is for Dorothy on Amazon today!

RAY TAYLOR AND THE TORN AND TATTERED TREASURE MAP

N. Degen is sure to become very well known for his engaging storytelling, with the introduction of his feature-length debut, RAY TAYLOR AND THE TORN AND TATTERED TREASURE MAP.  The author has a talent for crafting narratives that resonate with readers, and immerse them in an array of worlds unlike our own, keeping things fresh and excited throughout the story.  Though young lead Ray Taylor doesn’t have a tremendous amount of life experience yet, the author has found ways to bring out more intricate human experiences with the young would-be hero. In this first book for the hero, Degen weaves a tale that combines elements of adventure and mystery, drawing readers into a captivating journey.

RAY TAYLOR AND THE TORN AND TATTERED TREASURE MAP demonstrates Degen’s skill in creating immersive and thrilling narratives.  The story’s pacing keeps readers on the edge of their seats, ensuring they’re eager to uncover the secrets hidden within the eponymous treasure map.  The author’s attention to detail and character development sees that readers are fully invested in Ray Taylor’s quest, making this book a must-read for fans of adventure and mystery.​  If that’s piqued your interest, don’t wait.  Check out RAY TAYLOR AND THE TORN AND TATTERED TREASURE MAP on Amazon today!

Convergence Gate: The Portal and Key Chronicles, Volume III

Author Jonathan T. Salisbury has a knack for weaving intricate narratives that balance compelling character development with expansive worldbuilding.  Throughout The Portal and Key Chronicles, readers are whisked through a vibrant and immersive setting, rich with history, culture, and conflict.  Convergence Gate continues this tradition, drawing readers into a realm where choices carry weight, and the struggle between light and darkness is anything but simple.  Across the expanse of this massive conclusion in the series, and across two realms of magic and majesty, the author brings forth an immersive experience that will keep fans on the edge of their seats.

In Convergence Gate, Salisbury delivers a satisfying and action-packed conclusion to his spellbinding series.  The pacing is expertly handled, keeping readers on edge as the tension builds to a climactic finale. Whether it’s heart-pounding battles, deep character moments, or the unraveling of long-held mysteries, every chapter pulls you further into the adventure.  Salisbury’s ability to bring both emotional depth and high-stakes action to his stories makes this final installment a must-read for fantasy lovers.  Whether you’ve followed The Portal and Key Chronicles from the beginning, or are stepping into these twin worlds for the first time, this final chapter is one you won’t want to miss.  Check out Convergence Gate: The Portal and Key Chronicles, Volume III on Amazon today!

Realms Apart: The Portal and Key Chronicles, Volume II

Author Jonathan T. Salisbury has already delivered one wonderful fantasy with the first book in his Portal and Key Chronicles book.  Now, the sequel to Blood Bonded is here, and it is just as magical as the first.  Realms Apart is instantly catching, as it has interesting and prose that is written very well and will keep readers engaged.  Salisbury doesn’t just write flowery description.  His action sequences are exciting, and there is a flair of adventure present throughout.  It helps that he has a strong female lead that impresses in one chapter after another, but the author also has antagonists that are fiendish, and readers will love to hate them.

Realms Apart takes place in such a rich realm that just combing through the author’s handy glossary in the back of his book can be exciting.  There’s a whole world that exists here, and it feels alive and filled with history.  It is certainly recommended that you pick up the first book in Salisbury’s series, but you can actually read book two and go back to fill in some blanks later if you so choose.  Salisbury delivers a solid enough book that it could stand alone and reference back to the original book even without someone needing to read it.  If that piques your interest, don’t sleep on this sophomore title in the author’s series.  Check out Realms Apart: The Portal and Key Chronicles, Volume II on Amazon today!

The Ole Antmythopoeia: An Incomplete Trilogy (Miscellaneous Book 1)

No Originality is a name that’s sort of antithetical to the author with the moniker, as his book, The Ole Antmythopoeia: An Incomplete Trilogy (Miscellaneous Book 1), is sure to be unlike anything you’ve ever read before.  Part reconstruction of fables, part Easter egg collection for video games, part heartwarming tale about the love to be found in the world and the found family that we make, it works because it finds a way to be all of these things—and none of them.  You see, No Originality built this story with sort of intentionally jumbled messaging here and there, a zigzagging pattern that asks the reader to be a bit more introspective in the way they approach things.  There’s so much to see, it can be a little daunting at first, but it’s still impressive nonetheless.

Even if you don’t “get it”, The Ole Antmythopoeia: An Incomplete Trilogy (Miscellaneous Book 1) is chock full of the work of incredible artists and creative types.  No Originality is great at composing this sort of atypical type book, but he also excels at weaving together talents from every corner of the world and the internet.  There is a lot of passion that feels as though it drips off of every page in the author’s book, and it is interesting indeed to see it blend through from page to page, even if it’s painted in shades that are different than what you might expect.  If all this has you intrigued, don’t wait.  Check out The Ole Antmythopoeia: An Incomplete Trilogy (Miscellaneous Book 1) on Amazon today!

A Blood Moon Over Las Vegas

Author Bob Litt is an explorer of creativity, as one can see by diving into his contemporary fantasy novel, A Blood Moon Over Las Vegas.  Despite all the lights shining on the strip, there’s plenty of darkness that is to be found there as well, and Litt ensures there’s no stone unturned in that regard.  Blood and sex happen to be attractive bedfellows in vampire lit, and the author doesn’t skimp on either of them here.  But none of this coagulates into a strong presence without interesting characters, and that is where Blood Moon thrives.  You can’t write about a vampire clan without ensuring they’re all interesting, and Litt delivers here.  They help to ramp up the immersion, keeping readers locked into the story throughout.

While there is a lot on the table as far as what Litt throws into his story, everything moves at a snappy pace, which are convenient for readers who like to experience things that are more…ahem…bite-sized.  Of course, the big challenge you’ll encounter is whether you can hold off or get sucked into just one more chapter.  It’s written visually well, so you can imagine the events occurring on the page to be playing out on TV or film as well, which is no surprise, considering there’s a screenplay treatment already done for the book.  If that’s piqued your interest, don’t hesitate to sink your teeth into this modern vampire story.  Check out A Blood Moon Over Las Vegas, a story by Bob Litt, on Amazon today!

Fort Jafra: Beware the Rae Jungle

Author Raymond Duane and his wife Jill Mallory are a combined force to be reckoned with in their release Fort Jafra: Beware the Rae Jungle.  We’ve seen before that Duane has a penchant for building interesting mythology into the world he crafts, and so it goes in this world hidden within our world in this collaboration with Mallory.  There’s magic at play here in this version of India that will no doubt grip readers firmly, and compel them to keep reading, to learn the secrets that are revealed by the parting veil.  Everything written by the duo has a flair that immerses its audience, making it seem like they’re experiencing the action, rather than just reading words on a page.

Probably most captivating about this story will be its wonderful cast of characters.  Duane and Mallory write everyone with depth and dimension, ensuring that nobody feels one-note at any point in the story.  It also doesn’t hurt that several of those characters are mighty dragons, with interesting personalities themselves.  The dialog is fun and witty, helping to bridge the gap between one interesting story segment and the next.  This is a lovely standalone contemporary fantasy that has plenty of secrets to unveil along the journey.  If your intrigue can bear no more, prepare for a grand adventure.  Check out Fort Jafra: Beware the Rae Jungle on Amazon today!

Thorns of Obzidia: Knights of the Neverwas 2

If Lance of the Golden Cobra was Emery Sinclair’s A New Hope, Thorns of Obzidia: Knights of the Neverwas 2 is his Empire Strikes Back.  There are some dark places that the author prepares to take his characters in this spectacular follow-up, a grown-up expression of imagination that will captivate readers even more than the first book in the series did.  You can tell that Sinclair and his contributors care so deeply for this series, and give their all to it, and it shines for its audience as an enduring franchise indeed.  With this second title, the Knights of the Neverwas is elevated to even greater levels, feeling at times like a classic coming of age story that has merely been rediscovered.  Part of that rests on the shoulders of catching characters.  Connie and Namisha are lovely guides to this strange and beautiful world, but it comes to life thanks to other wonderful cast members as well.

Thorns of Obzidia comes to life in its beautiful visuals, illustrations that ignite the imagination thanks to the wonderful work of M D Smith.  The works themselves are the result of two storytellers’ immense passion, and the results of those seem to drip out of every page like liquid gold.  And other wonderful contributors have lent their talents to help this series excel.  Along the way, Emery Sinclair worked as a sort of conductor, creating beautiful music committed to page.  The Knights of Neverwas leans into the fact that people have their troubles, and obstacles that they must not just overcome, but live with, all without making that person feeling broken.  This sort of expression is what makes Thorns of Obzidia, and Lance of the Golden Cobra so endearing, and so easy to pick up and enjoy.  If that leaves you intrigued about this fantastic series, don’t wait.  Check out Thorns of Obzidia: Knights of the Neverwas 2 on Amazon today!

Lance of the Golden Cobra: Knights of the Neverwas (Illustrated Version)

Every so often, you’re introduced not just to a fantasy book, but to a transcendent fantasy world that sends sparks dancing in your mind.  So it is with Emery Sinclair’s young adult urban fantasy novel, Lance of the Golden Cobra, which introduces the Neverwas, a world that is resplendent with miraculous technology and magic.  Sinclair’s wonderful book is the product of the cooperative work of many people, and it reads as a mix of so many excellent things as well.  Lance of the Golden Cobra finds itself at times reading like a historical fantasy set some sixty years ago, but it still feels fresh and new, and will catch the attention of today’s young and new adults, as well as those who are kids at heart.

At the core of the book, Sinclair writes four wonderful characters—with more joining the ensemble as the story grows—that steal the show.  They’re written with such richness and warmth that readers won’t be able to help going on the journey with them, and finding out what strange new revelations are made in the Neverwas.  Sinclair also excels at leaving the sort of bread crumbs that lead into the next chapter, keeping readers excited throughout the tale.  The same can be said for the inevitable sequel, as the story is left open for a stunning conclusion.  For now, it’s a great time to dive into the first book in the Neverwas series.  Check out the illustrated version of Lance Of The Golden Cobra: Knights of the Neverwas on Amazon today!

Raven’s Flight (A Shadow Guardians Novella)

CB Samet excels at writing great character arcs, relationships, and development into her books, and that same great experience is what awaits fans when they read Raven’s Flight, one of the novellas that fits neatly into her Shadow Guardians universe.  A great book can appeal to many different kinds of readers though, and this novella pulls that off as well, because it’s also got a perfect blend of action and adventure, fun displays of magic, and just a touch of villainy.  Enough of the veil is lifted to let fans into the series and get them hooked, and Samet definitely has her ways of captivating her audience.

Though Raven’s Flight is a quick read, it tells a lot about the world it takes place in.  It serves as a great way to introduce someone into the Shadow Guardians universe, diving into all the thrills and suspense that it has to offer.  What you get here is just a taste, but the main course is certainly something that is explored in greater detail with the other books that follow, though this tale is wonderful and clever in its own right.  It’s clear that Samet is wonderfully passionate about this urban fantasy universe, so do yourself a favor and don’t delay.  Check out Raven’s Flight (A Shadow Guardians Novella) on Amazon today!

Raine Down: An Urban Fantasy Adventure (The Shadow Guardians Book 1)

Author CB Samet has an impressive back catalog, and while the books that we’ve explored early on are fantastic, it is the talespinner’s newest works that continue to excite and electrify readers and fans.  Such is the case with Raine Down: An Urban Fantasy Adventure (The Shadow Guardians Book 1).  Samet takes all of the skills and practice that she’s acquired over the course of writing dozens and dozens of books, and wraps it into a captivating tale that covers Norse fantasy in ways that folks haven’t seen, and making them shine even amidst the darkness of a mischievous and brooding urban fantasy.  There are mysteries abound, jaw-dropping revelations, and a budding romance that readers will love to cheer on.  All in all, Samet has learned how to make her balancing act work for her stories.

Raine Down shines throughout, thanks to well-developed characters, exciting passages and prose, and a careful balance of existing mythology and interesting new worldbuilding.  Samet has honed her craft over years, and found ways to captivate her readers from cover to cover.  Even though they’re likely to race through the book, they’ll no doubt be eager for more, and the author delivers.  With the trilogy done, and three wonderful supplemental stories also available, now is a terrific time to jump into some of CB Samet’s best work.  Check out Raine Down: An Urban Fantasy Adventure (The Shadow Guardians Book 1) on Amazon today!

Alex Knight and the Secret Worlds

Author Andror M. Thompson demonstrates his hold over all the necessary ingredients to make an awesome young adult urban fantasy with his book, Alex Knight and the Secret Worlds.  The first book in a trilogy, its written with an eye for imagination, and the author invites readers into a myriad of other worlds beyond our own.  It’s perfect for avid readers who want to allow their curiosity to lead them from part of an adventure to the next, enchanted by the captivating imagery that Thompson concocts into his prose.  It also helps that the lead and his two friends are such wonderful guides on their quest, written to be fun and full of energy.

Though Alex Knight’s first foray into other worlds is pretty massive, the book is written in a breezy style.  Readers will no doubt be whisked away, caught up by how quickly they move from chapter to chapter.  There is a comfortable flow to the story, ensuring that readers never feel too bogged down in the details, or for things to feel too ephemeral and unstructured.  It all comes together in a fun package that will spark young and old minds alike.  And while the book could have ended well enough on its own, there are still exciting additional adventures in store for Alex, Marcus, and Scarlette.  If that’s got you intrigued for this story, don’t wait.  Check out ALEX KNIGHT AND THE SECRET WORLDS on Amazon today.

STALKED: An Interracial Erotic Paranormal Horror Romance

Author A.C. Greenlee is far beyond the beginning stages of making a name for themselves in the paranormal erotic romance realm.  In fact, they’re pretty much the go-to person for when you want to read something steamy that features twists of color that break through stereotypical and tropey sorts of romance.  So it is in their latest, STALKED: An Interracial Erotic Paranormal Horror Romance.  While there is a ton of chemistry between the fated couplings in Greenlee’s book, and it does get sufficiently steamy enough to slap an adults only label on it, the prose surrounding the hot and heavy moments is strong enough that you could have easily cut the romance at the door, and still had a very powerful, captivating, and entertaining book.

Greenlee could have focused on just what happens between the sheets, so to speak, but they’ve managed to build a little corner of a world here that feels rich and engaging.  It’s a twist on werewolf lore that will keep readers intrigued, whether they’re diving into the pages for something saucy, or something with a bit more bite.  It also helps that the author captivates their audience with great prose that keeps them on the edge of their seats, and with characters that are dynamic and show growth throughout their journeys.  If that sounds like it’s up your alley, don’t wait on this great, steamy, fun book.  Check out STALKED: An Interracial Erotic Paranormal Horror Romance on Amazon today!

Blank Paige

Author Ashley Griffin has a history of taking fairytales and magic and bringing them to life, whether its on stage, or within the pages of a book.  She’s done an incredible job at retelling some of the most famous stories, and she tells them in a way that is captivating and exciting.  Her newest release, Blank Paige, on the other hand, is Griffin’s first foray into a literary world all her own, though she enlists the help of famous fictional characters to unravel it.  A forging of a path that grips and enthralls readers, this latest tale of wonder is one that can surprise an audience around every corner, because every page has a destiny that is as yet untold.  Griffin’s work is at times whimsical, at times dark, but it all coalesces into a story that won’t soon leave your mind.

With this latest release, Griffin once again has a hit on her hands, and it is one that has its own breath of life that folks will be drawn to.  Blank Paige is a story that you can come back to for a reread after you’ve finished, and you’ll notice hints and secrets that you may have missed the first time.  The author has a wonderful talent of telling many-layered tales, and they end up coming to life in more ways than one.  Many of our readers have already fallen in love with the magic that Ashley Griffin brings to life.  Now is your chance to find a new story to immerse yourself in.  Check out Blank Paige, by Ashley Griffin, on Amazon today!

Trial and Redemption (JANUS KEY SERIES)

Thomas Reilly writes with authority, the culmination of all his studies and research coming to a point with Chasing Time and its sequel, Trial and Redemption.  These two books in the Janus Key series find a careful balance between educating his audience and entertaining them.  Make no mistake, Reilly’s work may have some semblance of academic merit, but it astounds on the back of interesting and captivating storylines, and characters who you’ll want to follow.  They’re brilliant and courageous, but never feel so spectacular in their presentation that they seem unreal.  And even though Reilly weaves magic into his tale, there’s a certain degree of realism to that as well.

While Reilly’s work is certainly on the periphery of the fantasy works that we often see in the Otherworld, there’s enough magic at play in the world he writes that it deserves a look.  There’s a magic to the way he writes as well, ensuring that readers will always have twists and turns to look forward to.  That pace will carry them quickly to the end, racing through one page after the next to find out how it can possibly wrap up.  Now that book two is out, it’s a great time to jump into the author’s wonderful stories. Check out Trial and Redemption (JANUS KEY SERIES) on Amazon today!

The Festival of Sin: and other tales of fantasy

Author J. M. Unrue is a playful storyteller.  They like to write fiction that is sometimes framed in with good humor, or in satire, and is largely an intellectual pursuit.  So it is in The Festival of Sin: and other tales of fantasy, where Unrue starts things off with a narrator who explains things in witty ways, even when they’re trying to present something that can feel at times overwhelming.  There is a level of sci-fi that bleeds through into these tales from time to time as well, showing that Unrue is a fan of speculative fiction in more than just one of its shades.  There is a certain level of intelligence to many of Unrue’s characters and the tales they find themselves within, but nothing seems preachy, and the writing isn’t expecting any homework of its readers.

Though this anthology comprises just six stories, it is a tremendous endeavor, and a trek into strange unknowns that fans of fantasy will enjoy.  Each is catching and captivating, and readers will feel like they’ve learned something—if not within the stories, than perhaps within themselves.  If you have a penchant for exploring complex and compelling stories, this could be the anthology for you.  There’s no better time than now to dive into Unrue’s latest collection.  Check out The Festival of Sin: and other tales of fantasy on Amazon today!

The Ways of Wayward Witches (A Tale of Three Sisters Book 1)

Author Evelyn King set lofty aspirations for her debut release, but she has the amazing foresight, planning and dedication to see those goals reached.  That book, The Ways of Wayward Witches (A Tale of Three Sisters Book 1) is massive in its scope, with the author laying a foundation beyond the events that surround the main characters which is truly impressive.  At the same time though, the way that King writes Lumen and her growing cast of surrounding characters is captivating, and it draws readers in to a level of immersion that does not release its hold easily.  Whether readers are looking for exciting magic, steamy romance, or witty dialog, King has it all in spades.

King’s book contains a good deal of fan favorite tropes without feeling reductive or derivative.  Instead, The Ways of Wayward Witches feels like it puts a fresh spin on things.  It’s also impeccably paced, with snappy chapters that draws readers into the next one.  Before they know it, the climax fast approaches, leaving them hungry for more.  With the promise of more to come that ought to be just as epic, there’s never been a better time to pick up King’s excellent saga starter.  Check out The Ways of Wayward Witches (A Tale of Three Sisters Book 1) on Amazon today!

Alpha Onset (Echoes of Men in Female World Book 1)

Author A. Morrow has a tremendous task that they have rose to the occasion to complete in their debut story, Alpha Onset (Echoes of Men in Female World Book 1).  This tremendous book tells of another world where the expectations are decidedly different than the reality that its lead character is prepared for, and that sets an interesting backdrop for the hearty content that follows.  Here, in the world that Morrow has crafted, males are infrequent and valued.  The matriarchal society that Evander awakes in is unfamiliar to him, and though there is a certain allure to being surrounded by beautiful, powerful women, it is also at first unsettling.  Morrow takes this premise and builds a solid foundation around it, constructing a massive story to follow, that brims with battles, dynamic character development, and stunning secrets.

Exploring the sharp contrast between a world that required obvious strength to one that depends on subterfuge and clever tactics, the author delivers a tale that is captivating.  Indeed, Alpha Onset will ensure readers are curious and excited as they flip through the pages.  Though it is a sturdy narrative, it flows at an even pace.  Readers will be compelled to continue their journey—never trapped within its substance.  Straddling the line between fantasy and science-fi, there is a lot here for fans of speculative fiction.  With another expansive book in the series having just released, there’s never been a better time to dive into Morrow’s intriguing world.  Check out Alpha Onset (Echoes of Men in Female World Book 1) on Amazon today!

The Eternal Heir: Beware the Vampires of Berlin

Author Liv Viola takes a new stab at vampire fiction in the catching and captivating book The Eternal Heir: Beware the Vampires of Berlin.  A master of painting intrigue into her story and into her character’s thoughts, Viola seems to have a bloody good time crafting her tale, and readers ought to enjoy spending time with Ava and the immortals she meets.  The Eternal Heir is a vampire tale with a fresh take, and at times almost reads as an academy fantasy, in the best of ways.  It’s playfully dark without being overwhelming, has some tinges of romance without being saccharine, and its wickedly funny at times as well.

With snappy chapters and a story that hooks you right from the first few pages, this formidable tale moves quickly.  Viola carefully balances the richness of the underworld she’s created here, and the pacing of an action-packed, romantic vampire lit, ensuring that there’s something for everyone.  She sets the rules in place, and then has all the fun in the world bending and breaking them, and invites fans of the genre to join her there in the moonlight.  With the hint of more from this world apparent, there’s never been a better time to play.  Check out The Eternal Heir: Beware the Vampires of Berlin on Amazon today!

Out of the Shadow: Under the Wing

Exploring themes of personal liberty and a worldwide attempt at an escape from tyranny, Out of the Shadow: Under the Wing, by Blue Matt Jeff, has the sort of hook that keeps the material with readers long after they’ve turned the last page.  Though it presents with a fantasy veneer, the story hits close to home, as some people live the sort of lives that the lead character suffers through in our world as well.  Jeff focuses a lens on the sort of tragedies that people might endure, effectively straddling a line between raising awareness and providing immersive entertainment that readers can’t look away from.

It doesn’t take long to recognize the author’s writing talents, but with every step deeper into the world they’ve designed, it’s becomes clearer that they have a deep appreciation for fantasy.  Rich with lore and culture, with traditions that might seem incredible or barbaric, there is evidence of plenty of care at hand in the crafting of this realm, and the gripping tale at its forefront.  With multiple projects in the works, this is a great time for readers to familiarize themselves with Blue Matt Jeff’s work.  And perhaps there is even more to explore within the world that Malak hopes to not only survive in, but thrive in.  Check out Out of the Shadow: Under the Wing on Amazon today!

Across Both Sides of the Mirror

Talented author Bianca Pensy Aba delights in her debut fantasy, a contemporary tale with a touch of magical realism, Across Both Sides of the Mirror.  A journey of self-identity with characters that are relatable, the book is a terrific journey to go on that has some darker elements that keep readers captivated.  Pensy Aba does a wonderful job of taking raw character moments and speaking them to truth, ensuring that the gravity of the story isn’t lost to the fantasy elements.  Rather, everything blends into a perfect brew of otherworldly magic with real stakes.

Though Across Both Sides of the Mirror is a personal journey for Nova, it’s also one that resonates with a lot of people who are still discovering parts of themselves.  It explores mythology in some creative and interesting ways, ensuring that fresh, exciting revelations are around every corner.  This journey through two worlds is breathtaking, and readers will be engaged throughout, ready to stand by Nova through thick and thin until the last page.  It’s a great time to begin your adventure through the looking glass.  Check out Across Both Sides of the Mirror, by Bianca Pensy Aba, on Amazon today!

A Real Head Scratcher

Far be it from us to believe that the lives of barely-perceptible bugs are anything but epic.  Malik Griffin takes this thought to heart, and crafts an entire story around what it might be like to be a flea on an escapade that would be an odyssey in proportion to a human in A Real Head Scratcher.  When we look at books in the Otherworld, we look at how authors develop their worlds, and Griffin takes some interesting liberties with his story here, giving it more depth than you might expect at first glance.

A Real Head Scratcher may be brief, yes, but you can tell that the author had a roaring good time with it all the way through.  The heroes of the story are fun to listen to and journey alongside, and by the end, you’re wondering what could possibly happen after the final page.  One thing is for sure: Griffin has a knack for giving humor and gravitas to even the most innocuous-seeming beings.  It will certainly be interesting to see where he goes next.  But for now, best get to scratching with the author’s take on the incredible journey of these fleas.  Check out A Real Head Scratcher, by Malik Griffin, on Amazon today!

Worldtorn

Author Britta Dewey has tremendous presence within the first few pages of her debut fantasy, Worldtorn.  This contemporary fantasy is set to be released in parts on the Kindle Vella platform, but you can tell immediately that the author has a sense of where her story needed to go from the very first sentence.  Connecting it all are captivating characters and beautiful prose, immersing readers in two worlds that are deep and rich in their presentation.  Most notably, Dewey has created a version of world-hopping here that feels fresh and exciting, keeping the focus on the entertaining cast of characters that she has developed.  Even without a world-threatening problem, it would be enough just to sit and learn from these people.

There are some feelings of longing in Worldtorn, but there is a lightness there as well.  If nothing else, there is an immense expression of potential, in so many ways, and it transcends the story as the lead characters folds between worlds.  The story excites you in some strange and powerful ways, and somehow the waiting feels even more electric in this story.  Be on the lookout for more from this author, as they are going to keep you excited and interested throughout this adventure and beyond.  Check out Worldtorn, by Britta Dewey, on Amazon Vella today!

Arranged Mating: Otherworlders Series (Adult Content)

Author Chris Rogers hits the bookshelf with a witty and sexual debut in Arranged Mating, the first book in her Otherworlders series.  The author begins by giving the reader characters that they can easily find themself drawn to, and who they are eager to see find happiness and fulfillment.  It’s just the right amount of steamy and sensual, with romantic and sexual tension that keeps urging the reader to continue along and discover how the relationships will evolve and grow.  While a tussle between the characters happens often enough in the sheets, there is enough intrigue and danger around every corner to keep the world as compelling and immersive as the sinful affairs.

As with all great urban fantasies, things are not always sunshine and roses for the shifters of Arranged Mating.  There are plenty of moments of frustration (both sexual and otherwise), and twists and turns that make you wonder if the characters you grow to love will make it out in one piece.  But Rogers keeps with the pace, and ensures that every step of the way, there’s something that hooks readers in and keeps them going, eager until the last page.  And there’s plenty of room for a follow-up, so there’s never been a better time than now to blow off some steam with a fun and tawdry fantasy.  Check out Arranged Mating: Otherworlders Series on Amazon today.

SPARKS OF MAGIC: Shifter Fantasy Romance

Author Nicole Sparkman sets out a feast for her readers, as her debut, SPARKS OF MAGIC: Shifter Fantasy Romance, is pure literary delicacy, meant to sweep up readers by their senses.  Sparkman’s lead character, Pure Eagle, already has her feet planted firmly on different borders of her personality, having been born a part of two tribes.  She was also born of a prophecy, a golden glow that promised greatness making her a sort of contemporary fantasy superhero that has the potential to make superfans out of interested readers.  It is through Pure Eagle’s eyes that Sparkman crafts an interesting world that one can take flight in.

Presented as if by account of Pure Eagle, Sparks of Magic reads quick and breezy.  Sparkman’s story flutters between interesting events one after another, and readers will never feel as though they’ve lingered in one place for too long.  The caveat, of course, is that readers will be hungry for more as they turn the final page of the author’s book, looking for more expressive worldbuilding and tender romance.  If all works out well, a sequel will arrive before long.  Check out SPARKS OF MAGIC: Shifter Fantasy Romance on Amazon today!

The Witch of Knightcharm

As catching and captivating as any of the stories that Aaron Canton has crafted for myriad worlds, it is the one that he crafts for himself that perhaps shows the most promise and potential.  The Witch of Knightcharm is a sequential story that the author releases new episodic content twice each week.  From the get-go, readers will come face to face with Emily, a compelling heroine that is tremendous easy to cheer on throughout her challenges.  Canton excels at character moments, showing the emotions that lead to moments of growth.  But the author also hits the ground running with an explosive start, showing readers the stakes and the danger that is present within the world he builds here.  His action sequences are electric without being too frenetic, and they have real oomph, leaving you worrying about your heroes every step along the way.

The Witch of Knightcharm sits right on the line of the very popular academy fantasy subgenre, and as an urban fantasy filled with magic, it is also very likely to captivate readers who can’t get enough of spells and sorcery.  Wrapped in ribbons of witty, fun dialog, and worldbuilding that continues to grow richer through every chapter, this is the perfect gift for fantasy fans.  Canton releases new episodes of his story twice per week.  There are fourteen episodes available, with more on the way, so now is the perfect time to dive into the tale.  Check out The Witch of Knightcharm by Aaron Canton on Amazon Kindle Vella today!

Resort Aquatica

Author Frederic Lee puts a modern spin on mermaid stories and fantasies of the sea with his wonderful contemporary fantasy, Resort Aquatica.  Lee does a wonderful job of bringing the resort to life, giving the setting exquisite details that help to immerse the reader in the story.  From the attractive views that the author paints, to the characters that deliver quirky and witty dialog, this is one of those stories that readers can latch onto and not let go of until the last page.  And even when the cast is acting badly, there’s still something peculiarly fun about the way everything is presented.

Lee manages to make contemporary fantasy feel fresh and new here in his version of the Bermuda Triangle.  There are fun twists and turns in every chapter, which ensure that Resort Aquatica remains a page-turner throughout.  There is enough mystery elevating this story that the unwinding plot threads alone are enough to keep readers feverishly making their way from cover to cover.  And with a romp-roaring good time leading toward the final pages of the book, there’s certainly the possibility for more yet to come from this talented storyteller.  Check out Resort Aquatica, by Frederic Lee, on Amazon today!

The Legend of the Copper Cyborg: Loading

Authors L. Hawk and J. Hawk bring forth a robust yet nuanced take on videogames-to-life with The Legend of the Copper Cyborg: Loading.  With a feel of a LitRPG but without the tremendous focus on numbers or leveling, this story taps into the sort of experiences that younger readers thoroughly enjoy.  And though it is ideal for older children and young adults, it can be enjoyed by anyone with a sense of whimsy and a penchant for adventure.  The Hawks imagine a world where the assets inside a videogame are as real as the world we live in, allowing it to develop a sort of magical feel that carries through to the very last page.

As the authors have given themselves a foundation with which they can go into many different directions, the story never feels like it lags.  Readers will always be invited into the next big event or pulled toward the next reveal, which feels earned and rewarding.  And it helps to have a fun cast to spend the time in the videogame alongside.  The dialog feels very conversational and grounded, as if readers would perhaps be eavesdropping on the characters as a fly on the wall.  Readers will be rooting for them all the way through the last page of the tale.  With a second book on the way, there’s never been a better time to dive into this series.  Check out The Legend of the Copper Cyborg: Loading on Amazon today!

House of Ravens: An Urban Fantasy (The Shadow Atlas)

Jenny Sandiford has already set the tone in her wonderful Shadow Atlas series with The Initiate, but her prequel, House of Ravens, helps to explore the greater span of the world that she’s layered beneath our own.  There are attractive intricacies, an entire realm of magic that live beyond the pages of her original book, and this book serves well to shine some light on the shadows, while also inviting new questions into the fold.  Sandiford’s love for the genre is glowing, and it carries through into her work as well.  The author doesn’t just let her words sit idly atop the world, but uses them to paint beautiful pictures.

Sandiford plays with magic in fresh and interesting ways, and it permeates the story as well.  There’s a fair share of grit and grime in this dangerous world beneath our own, but the author offsets it with attractive scenes that make use of those shades of grey.  Her study of contemporary fantasy means that she excels at creating captivating scenes that really pop, interesting characters that are great fun to follow, and snappy chapters that whisk the reader forward into the next enticing event.  With the first book in the series already out, and the second book releasing this April, there has never been a better time to explore this prelude.  Check out House of Ravens: An Urban Fantasy (The Shadow Atlas) on Amazon today!

The Tools of the Ghost (In the Path of the Ghost, Book 1)

Hemant Nayak’s standout debut, The Tools of the Ghost (In the Path of the Ghost, Book 1) is receiving rave reviews, and it’s not hard to see why.  It’s a deep and rich story masquerading underneath dark shadows, and sometimes darker, grotesque violence.  How do you fight that?  With darkness on your side as well.  Nayak balances the gloom with humor and wit, ensuring that the snappy story never feels too depraved to be enjoyable.  Indeed, in certain ways this reads like someone found a lost comic for an antihero and developed an entire novel around it, to wondrous effect.

It takes two to make this story the kind of success it is.  Hemant Nayak hammers away at prose and dialog that nail down the atmosphere and cast of this great fantasy.  And The Ghost is compelling and interesting, and atypical for what you expect from the genre, leaving this book feeling fresh and worthy of further exploration.  That works out great, because Nayak is already hard at work on multiple follow-ups, and has already released a prequel that dives further into the world surrounding The Ghost.  With that in mind, there’s no better time than now to let this new dark hero in.  Check out The Tools of the Ghost (In the Path of the Ghost, Book 1) on Amazon today!

The four lives of Robinson Appleson

Author Véronique Iswery Pasquet does a remarkable job balancing immersion and self-awareness in her debut, The four lives of Robinson Appleson.  Her book is playful and humorous where it needs to be, but it also tells a compelling story that will leave readers hooked from beginning to end.  Set up almost like a pseudo biography, the narrator explains their multiple reincarnations, and what they’ve encountered throughout each of these existences.  It’s a challenging notion, but one Pasquet meets head on, and easily conquers.  This is thanks to the aforementioned narrator, who has a witty presence, as well as a tone and cadence that makes the book feel conversational in all the right places.

Pasquet’s command over her story means that she can make even the snobby folks like the Applesons seem appealing, but it is the subtle storyline that exists beneath the braggadocio that will really keep readers enthralled.  The author’s exploration of the past lives is catching as well, and it keeps the story feeling fresh, allowing surprises to flitter across the funnier stories in some very meaningful ways.  Before readers know it, they’ll reach the end of a very cheeky tale, but they’ll certainly be hungry for more from this compelling author.  Check out The four lives of Robinson Appleson by Véronique Iswery Pasquet on Amazon today!

Keisha and The Rise of the Legacy (The Inferno Verse Book 1)

Author T.R. Tells has been working on stories since she was eleven, and with a multitude of different tales under her belt, it has all led to a tremendous story in Keisha and the Rise of the Legacy, the first book in the Inferno Verse series.  It’s an interesting twist on Dante’s Inferno, and Tells finds the means to make it a spellbinding way of exploring one of the world’s best known epics.  The book begins its own epic in some very cool ways, as the author creates a rich version of our world—or rather the world that exists beneath our own, hidden from the eyes of mortals.  With maps and a glossary and plenty of lore to be found, it presents a multifaceted story that fantasy readers will love, and can easily be lost within.

Despite a sizable word count worthy of the epic fantasy that this is, Keisha’s first tale is one that rips and roars at a decent pace, ensuring readers won’t want to step away from the story.  Such an addiction is aided by interesting characters that fans of the genre will want to spend time with, and who they will empathize with throughout the narrative.  Before they know it, readers will navigate twists and turns all the way to the ending, and they’ll be hungry for more.   With a sequel that is due out later this year, there has never been a better time to explore the world beneath our own in Tells’s fantastic book.  Check out Keisha and The Rise of the Legacy (The Inferno Verse Book 1) on Amazon today!

The Word of the Seer

Author George Murray Wilson has wrapped up a lovely tale wrapped in a bow as his gift to fans of fantasy with his first tale, The Word of the Seer.  Readers will no doubt sense that Wilson is a history buff, as he’s done his research and painted every inch of his versions of Scotland with great detail.  There’s a passion for nature that shines through as well, with the descriptions presented in beautiful prose whenever he can show a world worth protecting.  Tying it all together, is a banger of a story, with twists and turns that readers won’t expect.

Bolstered by two very interesting characters, as well as a supporting cast, Seer is entertaining throughout.  It spends just enough time with its pacing to give you a chance to stop and smell the flowers without lingering too long.  While there’s always the possibility to see something beyond what Wilson lays out here, it really is a story that ends perfectly, so this could be a wonderful one-off for your next reading excursion.  Don’t wait on this great story.  Check out The Word of the Seer on Amazon today!

The Seers: The Awakening

Author James Hai delivers the narrative of his debut contemporary fantasy with an artistic flair.  In The Seers: The Awakening—the first of three speculative fiction romps in Hai’s upcoming calendar—the author enjoys playing with shadows and light, letting readers into the world he’s crafted in just the right ways.  You can see his passion on display from cover to cover, as he spends the time to weave a version of our world that feels distinct and captivating, with characters who aren’t merely pulled out of the aether, but feel as though they are rich with wants and needs, and entire backstories beneath the surface.

The Seers moves forth at a steady pace, never feeling rushed, and refusing to linger too long where it would not need to.  Instead, Hai finds a clever balance as with the rest of his work in placing bread crumbs that lead readers to new revelations and explosive encounters.  By the end of the book, you can see that there are hints of where the story could go after its conclusion.  While Hai will no doubt explore more of the world he’s built, this wonderful debut also feels like it could stand alone enough that readers should not feel they have to wait.  Check out The Seers: The Awakening on Amazon today!

Hell vs. Heaven

Author Reinhold Fuchs, also known as Ryan, The Devil Fox, has created a charming and satirical look at some of the Christian folklore and mythology that accompanies the biblical teachings.  Hell vs. Heaven turns certain expectations on its head, and though it starts off with a tremendous amount of tongue-in-cheek jokes and ribs, winking along as it goes, it somehow pulls readers in close, and even develops a rather heartwarming story.  It weaves humor and lore throughout its tapestry, ensuring that its audience receives some well-earned “aha” moments that drive the narrative forward, rather than just exist as a series of interconnected jokes.

It is apparent at once that the author had great fun writing the tale, and that he has more yet to introduce to the world.  Moving at a quick pace that makes each of the story’s chapters feel fun and bite-sized, readers will have the story done in a snap, and may be eager for a follow-up.  Fuchs’s work is certainly meant to delight, and not to stir up any trouble, divine or otherwise.  If readers are looking for something that is charming despite its demonic nature, this may be the book for them.  Check out Hell vs. Heaven on Amazon today!

Doomsday (The Doomsday Series Book 1)

R.L. Gemmill has unleashed six of his “near future” young adult sci-fi horror stories in the Doomsday series, but it all starts with the first book of the same name (which was once called The Demon Conspiracy).  But while Doomsday is very much a horror, in that it includes demons and can be a bit scary or eerie at times, there’s some lightness and quirkiness in this first book in the series.  That’s achieved in a few ways, but most notably by the interesting demons, and the gaslighting that occurs for the poor children main characters.  Gemmill certainly captures the essence of being in your youth and sort of being dismissed because your ideas are seen as nothing but fairytales.

While Doomsday is certainly contemporary, and fits in a the sci-fi and horror buckets, it also feels very much like an urban fantasy.  It’s perhaps telling that Gemmill shares those first initials with Stine, because Doomsday has a playful sort of base that it embraces in order to feel as though its filled with magic and mystery.  The author sets a lot of things in motion in this first book, and that lures readers into the rest of the series in very satisfying ways.  Don’t delay.  Check out Doomsday (The Doomsday Series Book 1) for free on R.L. Gemmill’s website!

The Legend of the Lost Child: Book Two of the Codex Chronicles

When we first talked about Annie O’Connell’s debut, The Lunar Codex, we were impressed with its enjoyable characters, its lively world, and the way that the author built the story to be shamelessly addicting.  Now the sequel is here, and The Legend of the Lost Child is another fast-paced paranormal fantasy in line with True Blood or Teen Wolf, and O’Connell certainly continues to tell the tale with incredible cinematic flair.  Though a tremendous amount of work went into the first book in making Jace and the supporting characters appear dynamic, the author makes certain that the journey, both in the world, and inward, did not stop there.  It is compelling seeing these characters continue to grow.  O’Connell adds extra oomph to everything, ensuring that the sequel feels bigger and better in every way.

The author recounts the story of the first book without being heavy-handed, ensuring that even if readers come to the story late, they can pick up from this one.  And just because the characters found some measure of success in the first book, that doesn’t mean that there are no stakes here, as readers will always wonder and worry about what might be coming around the corner.  O’Connell has been a tremendous force of urban fantasy content, and she’s fallen into a rhythm here that will no doubt hook even more readers as she continues her journey into the culture of these books.  A new release is not far from sight, so now is a great time to pick up this book (and it’s predecessor).  Check out The Legend of the Lost Child: Book Two of the Codex Chronicles on Amazon today!

THE LUNAR CODEX: Book One of the Codex Chronicles

Annie O’Connell is a writer who you would be hard-pressed to guess was brand new on the scene.  The author’s new release, THE LUNAR CODEX: Book One of the Codex Chronicles, draws you in and doesn’t let go.  It’s great fun for young and new adults, but it’s got enough quality content to impress and entertain even older fans of the genre.  O’Connell’s lead is enjoyable to be around, as readers learn about his past alongside him, and the supporting cast of characters, and the town that they inhabit are just as enchanting.  It’s easy to find yourself lost in Williston.

THE LUNAR CODEX doesn’t just feel like a slice of life story that you can put away into a drawer when you’re done.  It feels alive, and you feel like a part of it as you’re unravelling mysteries along Jace.  By the time it wraps up, you’re already hungry for more.  Another book is on the horizon, featuring Jace learning more about how to get to the root of who he is and what he can accomplish, but for now, it’s a great time to get acclimated to the story, the characters, and O’Connell’s great writing.  Check out THE LUNAR CODEX: Book One of the Codex Chronicles on Amazon today!

The Channeler

Author R.C. Allen is no stranger to the carefully crafted word.  His first book released a decade ago, and he’s only refined his talents and his prose since then, delivering a book with a strong foundation and an enjoyable and captivating instability that will leave readers wanting more.  In The Channeler, Allen unleashes an interesting character, and an expanding ensemble, we’ll say, that surrounds them.  Right from the first page, there’s just enough on the surface that readers will be compelled to want to learn more, and as things begin to unravel, it’s like whatever thread the story is pulling is also pulling them.  And it will continue to pull, straight through to the end.

A touch urban fantasy, a dash paranormal mystery, and an exciting personal adventure to its core, The Channeler is something that ought not be missed.  Allen has a penchant for making his stories feel real, and his world lived-in, as though the events therein did indeed occur.  That is, perhaps, why it is so interested to follow along with Max as he begins to learn more about his strange abilities, and what to do with his knowledge of them.  It’ll be a brisk adventure, as Allen’s pacing and cadence are even and catching, but by the end of the story, readers will no doubt want to keep up with the character, and with the author.  For now though, check out The Channeler by R.C. Allen on Amazon today!

The Prescott Legacy: A Medical Urban Fantasy Novel

The debut work of author Robert Sounvonnakasy certainly casts a sort of reflection on our own world, and in the events that have shaped the years since the pandemic.  But The Prescott Legacy: A Medical Urban Fantasy Novel takes all that tragedy and worry and puts a spin on it that effectively turns it into something a bit more thrilling and exciting, and certainly something with a bit of magic to it.  Sounvonnakasy spins a lot of plates in bringing this story to life.  The tale blends elements of fantasy into our world in some interesting ways that make the story feel lively, without being so otherworldly that you’re forced to suspend your disbelief too much.

With vivid descriptions, and a narrative that moves forward at just the right pace, this is a medical thriller most won’t want to miss.  It might hit a little close to home for some, but the author keeps things raw and real enough to immerse readers into the tale.  To top it off, you’ve got some fantastic characters that you’ll love to empathize with as you learn about the tragedies they’ve endured, and must face going forward.  With the next book in the series, The Prescott Unity, already underway, there is no better time than now to dive into Sounvonnakasy’s thrilling debut.  Check out The Prescott Legacy: A Medical Urban Fantasy Novel on Amazon today!

End of Normals (Books of Forsaken Futures 2)

Already having a hit with his first book, author Shawn Nichols continues to wow with the sequel in his Books of Forsaken Futures series.  In End of Normals, the author introduces new dangers and challenges for his cast, but he hits his stride, nailing the pacing and style that he’s become known for, and indeed, elevating the world that he’s created.  There continues to be an intensity to the conflicts, and Nichols leans into the insanity of everything that is going on.  With characters who are this dynamic and detailed, it’s easy for them to take center stage.  They have big personalities that shine a spotlight on them, even in the midst of all the crazy things unfolding.

Nichols continues to enrich his world, too, and his adoration for what he’s built here is on full display.  The author is intensely fixated on delivering a great story, not just for the readers, but for the characters as well, and every chapter seems to construct more of a base for what’s to follow.  Certainly things wrap up where they should, but Nichols has plenty of pages left in him at this point, which should sate the appetites of many hungry readers.  If frenetic action, interesting revelations, and characters that drip with style are something that fans are looking for, the Books of Forsaken Futures are up there alley, and End of Normals, the second book in the series, is an excellent entry in it.  Check out End of Normals (Books of Forsaken Futures 2) on Amazon today!

Dawn of Beyonders (Books of Forsaken Futures 1)

Once again, we take a look at one of the books at Shawn Nichols, a prolific storyteller who has a knack for writing interwoven tales that coalesce into something complex and brilliant.  Dawn of Beyonders has recently been recompiled, and given some additional clarity, but it’s still as intense and insane as it always was.  Set in the same universe as his massive choose-your-own-adventure book, this first novel in the Forsaken Futures series captures the same strange and captivating magic that readers have come to expect from the author.  Nichols’s characters are back in full force as well, showing off their extreme personalities, all while the author puts them through the wringer.

Nichols is incredibly passionate about the world that he has created here.  Readers will go on a journey that few other authors could handle so well, thanks in part to the copious notes, lore and history that creates the foundation for the Books of Forsaken Futures series.  This initial novel is only the first step into a weird and wild world that fans won’t soon forget.  With four other books already in the catalog, along with an author who thrives on making content, this could be the strange and exciting contemporary fantasy series that you’ve been waiting on.  Check out Dawn of Beyonders (Books of Forsaken Futures 1) on Amazon today!

Allen Storm and the Demon King

Brimming with mysticism and sorcery, L.A. Hope’s debut fantasy, Allen Storm and the Demon King, is a magic academy tale that readers won’t soon forget.  It’s not just the titular character that fans will fall in love with though.  Hope’s pantheon of characters is entertaining throughout, with some of the magical beings really working their way into the hearts and minds of those that are bound to devour this story.  It helps that the heroes appear as characters that teens and young adults could enjoy the company beside, easily imagining their own time at the mysterious and quirky school for gifted magic users.

Things start with little twists and turns, but by the end of their time in this initial book, readers will be on the edge of their seat, eager to learn about the next reveal.  Even the end wraps things up well enough for this singular release, but it also alludes to what is coming next for Allen and his friends.  With a total of nine books in the series planned, Hope has his work cut out for him.  However, seeing just how much he enjoys spending time at St. Aldertone’s Academy, alongside Allen Storm and his companions, it’s easy to believe it won’t be too long a wait before the next book is here.  Check out Allen Storm and the Demon King on Amazon today!

The New Age: The Caribbean Witch

Author Vox Deruste debuts their first feature length contemporary fantasy with a tale that has a lot that it must balance.  The New Age: The Caribbean Witch is a story about identity, and finding oneself during one of the greatest of calamities.  Its focus is on one central character, but it doesn’t shy away from familial bonds, and the way that history can connect people.  And it pulls back the veil on magic and a hidden world beneath our own that is interesting without being too derivative of what has come before.  Deruste manages to bring the light out of the bleakest moments, and drives the story forward with hope and unity.

Between all the threads that The Caribbean Witch weaves, it ties everything up into a nice package by its conclusion.  It ends well enough on its own, but Deruste is talented enough to let the threads of fate take the story in whichever direction they so choose, and there could be more magic in store for readers.  With that in mind, there’s no better time than now to dive into this book.  Check out The New Age: The Caribbean Witch on Amazon today!

Friend of the Undead: A My Life Among the Undead book

The first book of many in Camara M. Bragdon’s My Life Among the Undead series, Friend of the Undead takes readers on a whirlwind adventure alongside the gifted Shelly.  Bolstered by Bragdon’s wit and charm, the tale hits all the right beats: sarcastic dialog; some touching moments; and action that keeps readers engaged throughout.  The author also stitches together a big enough tapestry that allows her to really explore the version of the world she’s created, and breathe life into it, even if some of her characters aren’t exactly living.

Friend of the Undead isn’t afraid to be different.  It turns some expectations completely upside down, and has more twists and turns than you could shake a stake at.  And, this quirky young adult contemporary fantasy is only the beginning with nine—yes, nine—other books in the series already available, readers could be on a nice reading high with Bragdon and her characters for a nice long time.  Join the journey at its start.  Check out Friend of the Undead: A My Life Among the Undead book on Amazon today!

Souljourner: A Karmic Crime Story

Paul Steven Stone’s Souljourner: A Karmic Crime Story is a sort of metaphysical thriller that readers will find catching and entertaining, especially to those who consider themselves knowledge-seekers.  Stone has a penchant for showing the importance of education, and the thrill of wisdom, both to his characters, and to his readers.  Souljourner expands on what one might typically think of understanding and knowing, complicated in the best of ways by the possibility of some lighthearted deceptions.  It’s a strange and exciting ride, every step of the way.

Souljourner is the kind of unique read that you only find once in a blue moon.  Stone’s interesting interpretation of events and captivating storytelling style will keep the reader engaged from cover to cover.  It’s an especially good tale for readers who wants to see elements of themselves in the characters.  Stone’s book is the second of a trilogy, but both are written in a way that you can pick them up regardless of any chronology.  With a third on the way, there’s no better time than now to dive in.  Check out Souljourner: A Karmic Crime Story on Amazon today!

Wishful Hearts (Wishful Series Book 1)

Author Morgan Rugg hits the ground running with her first feature length urban fantasy in Wishful Hearts, the first book in her Wishful series. The tale contains warm, welcoming themes, even among the challenges the heroes face.  Wishful Hearts puts twists on fairytale creatures, with an added bonus to humans who have the capacity to bridge the gap.  While a driving force of the story is the main character finding herself, she’s only one part of the overall tale, and you can tell that Rugg has spent considerable time creating a deep and rich world that exists beyond the veil.

Although there is a touch of darkness here and there, Rugg’s tale has more bright spots than it has shadows, making it accessible to anyone.  It’s not a short book, but it is a quick read, because those enjoying it won’t be able to put it down.  Spending time with Maude and Lendyll feels refreshing, even when they’re dealing with the darker parts of their quest.  And even when that first quest draws to an end, readers will have something to look forward to.  With a second book on the way, there’s no better time than now to begin your journey into Rugg’s debut urban fantasy.  Check out Wishful Hearts (Wishful Series Book 1) on Amazon today!

Mr. Spectacular

Exciting and excitable, the tale of Mr. Spectacular is a charming and peculiar first for author Kunegunda Price.  Indeed, this story has plenty of heart, and the majority of it is filled with joy and wonder.  Price seems to have the time of her life in describing the lives of their main characters, and the amazing things they do.  Even as the content of the story shifts to more serious fare, there’s always an underpinning of whimsy.  There’s a fine bit of magic and science fantasy to Price’s story, and children or readers who are ready to embrace their inner-child are in for a treat.

Though it’s a shorter story, Mr. Spectacular does a lot with the brief page count it has.  It sets the tone, and then sets the characters off on their adventure, and sends them on their way into the greater world that’s being built.  The pace is electric, and that is perhaps why readers who enjoy the story will be hungry for more by the time it ends.  Price looks to be aiming to continue the story, meaning if a quirky, whimsical series is something a reader is interested in, this could be right up their alley.  Check out Mr. Spectacular on Amazon today!

Sky of Shadows

Just spend a few moments in Tyler Craig Nixon’s debut fantasy, and you’ll see how much he loves the world and the characters that he’s created.  In Sky of Shadows, he takes his lead character on a captivating journey that is akin to Japanese Isekai.  It’s therefore very interesting to see the author’s view on throwing a character into another world at the time of their death. Readers will want to learn more about what happened to the main character, and see how he is going to react to his new environment, and to the people he encounters.  There are plenty of twists and turns that will keep readers enticed, and some big revelations that make the journey worth it.

Nixon has been writing this tale since he was seventeen, and has been refining it ever since.  Because of his passion for this project, Sky of Shadows is gripping in some places, and mysterious in others, and it encourages readers to race through the story and find all the last revelations that can be found by the last page.  The story could satisfy well enough as self-contained, but Nixon leaves the door open for more, with a sequel planned for next year.  With that in mind, there’s no better time than now to familiarize yourself with this tale.  Check out Sky of Shadows on Amazon today!

The Fire Inside My Soul

Author Julia Baeten would have you believing that she’s been at work as a storyteller for the better part of her life, as she has crafted a winning love story with her debut, that amounts to so much more.  In The Fire Inside My Soul, readers will be faced with deep and complex characters that grow in many ways.  At its core, Baeten’s tale centers around powerful, deep feelings.  The book contains profound subject matter that is handled remarkably well, and readers can feel the passion and the emotion apparent within the pages.  Though it’s exciting, and moves at a wonderful pace as it mixes heart-racing action and vengeance in some places, it also takes the time it needs to show poise and tenderness, and it feels properly balanced throughout.

With twists and turns in all the right places, and defying other expectations as well, Baeten’s debut sizzles.  It’s heartfelt and captivating, capturing its reader’s attention and not letting go until the last page.  It helps that the characters let the audience in, never shying away from any vulnerabilities, and embracing any flaws that might shine through their lives.  Those who read this tale will no doubt want to keep eyes on Baeten’s catalog, and she already has another one-off book that will earn its own praise.  But it’s always great to start at the beginning, and her first is a winner.  Check out The Fire Inside My Soul on Amazon today!

The Deep: A tale beyond the waves

Author Mariam Sheriff steps into the writer’s ring with a magical tale about a world that exists beyond the veil of our own.  In her debut, The Deep: A tale beyond the waves, readers step into the mind of narrator Stanley, who works as a sort of vehicle for the story to follow.  In a lot of ways, any reader can sort of imagine themselves in Stanley’s shoes, as he’s not so imposing a character that he overbears his personality on anything.  Instead, he acts as a guide to the magic that Sheriff injects into her story.  The fantasy elements of the story are realistic and rich, and never take fans out of the action.

A reader can move through a few pages of Sheriff’s tale, and easily keep to the pace, tearing through the story.  Images in the book and snappy dialog help to further immerse readers, and keep them invested in the magical places apparent throughout.  The author paints seascapes with wonderful detail, and an often lyrical cadence.  Sheriff’s work can be flowery, but it’s because a focus of the world beneath the surface of our own has to be described in such beauty.  The story ends solidly, but you can still see sparks of magic on the periphery, whether it’s another story still to be written in this part of Sheriff’s universe, or something new scribbled into existence altogether.  Now’s your chance to see the author’s debut and say you were there when it all started.  Check out The Deep: A tale beyond the waves on Amazon today!

Summoning Spruce

Author Ann Ornie has cracked the code to developing a honed, balanced urban fantasy that’s got touches of magical realism and whodunnit mysterious overtones.  In her first feature-length tale, Summoning Spruce, readers will soon learn that the author has a tremendous talent with her attention to detail and descriptions.  Ornie makes you feel like you’re a part of the journey just by immersing you into the world.  The characters and the places that she writes about feel fully-realized, almost as if they existed before the author committed them to page.  Their lives seem full and established, and you get a sense that they’ve got their own unwritten backstories, secrets, wants and desires, and it helps to breathe so much life into the tale.

While there’s certainly some darkness amidst the mystery surrounding the events of the story, it’s the beauty that shines through more often than not.  Summoning Spruce goes beyond just the pages of the book as well, showing readers that there is a possibility to see the magic all around them as well.  The book will have readers excitedly flipping through pages until the very end, and then hungry for more from Ornie once everything is wrapped up. Time will tell whether or not Ornie has more in store for Josephine, but you can thoroughly enjoy this tale on its own again and again.   Check out Summoning Spruce on Amazon today!

The Killer Hunters: Book One Lexi

Author Damon Peel has the sort of imagination that lets him craft darker stories that have some quirkiness to them, humor in all the right places, and the means to pull readers along with every flip of a page.  His debut, The Killer Hunters: Book One Lexi, is so vastly different than what you’re likely to expect when you’re thinking of a dark fantasy or contemporary horror.  There are some fantasy elements, but in a lot of ways it’s like an inverse to the most common horror stories fans have read or watched.  The Killer Hunters benefits from being very well-choreographed, as Peel is able to put together some interesting action sequences that almost feels like second nature.

The Killer Hunters pulls you in with how interesting and at times insane it is, and doesn’t let go.  But that’s great, because you want something as strange and eerie as this to be engaging, keeping you on the edge of your seat.  Peel sets the stage with his debut, but there is certainly more to come, and you can tell that the author is eager to return to this strange variation of the world he’s built.  While you’re waiting for the sequel, now is a great time to pick up the first book in the series.  Check out The Killer Hunters: Book One Lexi on Amazon today!

Incandescent: Magic Unknown

Author Sarah Chayer has been hard at work developing her book for a long while, and because of that, it shines.  Incandescent: Magic Unknown is a wonderful debut that has had time grow and evolve into a flagship for the storyteller that readers won’t soon forget.  First and foremost is a great focus on characters, their development, and their relationships.  Readers will feel driven to learn more about them, and to join them on their personal journeys.  It also features well-crafted prose which is very descriptive.  Chayer paints with broad strokes when she needs to, but she excels at even-paced, deliberate passages, with a lot of focus on touch and feel.  And the author’s take on the world is worthy of exploration through every shadow, behind every corner, as well.

Though things move quickly, with chapters wrapping up fast enough to keep readers hungry for more, the story never feels like it is bound to hit anyone with a bout of whiplash.  Everything feels seamless, and meticulously executed.  Every twist and turn and deception is earned, and it feels rewarding for having reached it.  All those qualities of the story coalesce into the strong presentation that fans keyed into Chayer’s work, eager for the next page, the next chapter, and when they’re so lucky, the next book.  Hopefully it won’t be a long wait, but it will give you time to enjoy this debut in earnest.   Check out Incandescent: Magic Unknown on Amazon today!

An Apology to Lucifer

Father and son authors Wayne E. Haley and Sean P. Haley have teamed up to create an interesting and immersive thriller debut that will certainly earn them an army of fans.  In An Apology to Lucifer, they’ve brought together all the aspects of an entertaining and enjoyable supernatural thriller, and wrapped it up in a spectacular package.  This relic-hunting adventure is filled with believable, likeable characters, whether you’re talking about the heroes or the villains.  It pays attention to history and enlightens readers to it without feeling overly academic or heavy-handed.  Instead, it rewards curiousness with great twists and turns.

An Apology to Lucifer is the kind of book that makes you want to keep going back, eager to read again.  With fast, sharp chapters, the action and revelations whip by in a frenzy that readers can’t get enough of.  It succeeds as a perfect mix of fast and furious page turning and a dread of knowing that a great story is coming to a close.  Yet, there’s potentially more on the horizon.  The Haleys have left plenty or room to move in a lot of directions with the version of our world they’ve revealed.  Show these father and son authors that you’re ready for more.  Check out An Apology to Lucifer on Amazon today!

S*W*A*G*G 4: Soulforce

Not merely the culmination of four books, but of nineteen, bringing together heroes from multiple stories, S*W*A*G*G 4: Soulforce, is the perfect book for young adults and older ones alike.  Author Jill Marshall has been hard at work for years, developing her incredibly well-received coming-of-age tales that are not to be missed.  After nineteen books, the curtains are set to fall one last time, and as such Marshall has given Soulforce her all.  The first thing you’ll notice when you read any of the author’s stories is that she has plucky, charming characters.  Bringing them all together for the S*W*A*G*G series is a no-brainer, and gives it an Avengers-level quality.  The crossovers are as entertaining as they are magical, and this subset of the greater franchise can be read on its own before you read about the origin stories—it’s all entertaining, no matter where you start.

Putting her characters in oddball situations is part of the appeal for Marshall’s stories, and this one takes the cake, elevating the thrills and the action to new levels.  As this final chapter comes to a close, there’s never been a better time to check out this amazing franchise that Marshall has created.  Fans who move now might even be able to finish the sizable series before it hits the silver screen or smaller ones—Marshall’s universe has been optioned for TV and film!  So what are you waiting for?  Check out S*W*A*G*G 4: Soulforce on Amazon today!

Learning Balance (The Balance Series Book 2)

Across both of Amanda April Walsh’s books, she has over twenty five-star ratings, nailing down two flawless scores across both her books.  Learning Balance (The Balance Series Book 2) picks up right where the first one, Finding Balance, left off, and this new one takes off running.  Walsh knows how to write twists and turns that still surprise in her sophomore title, and they keep readers interested and invested throughout.  At the same time, this sequel answers lingering questions from its predecessor, while still letting new mysteries bubble to the surface.  Throughout it all, Walsh keeps readers immersed, and close to Devika.  It’s easy to care for the character and to worry about what new challenges she’ll face.

Walsh’s latest engages readers in ways that make them feel present in the story.  Fantasy fans who enjoy exquisite sensory details will take great pleasure in joining the authors characters in this tale.  Learning Balance is a page turner that draws readers in, and moves them along at a wonderful pace.  Walsh is already working on more in the series, which already has eager fans waiting to be immersed once more.  With a new book just around the corner, it’s a great time to pick up this second-in-a-series (and the first book if you haven’t picked that up yet).  Check out Learning Balance (The Balance Series Book 2) on Amazon today!

Finding Balance (The Balance Series Book 1)

Author Amanda April Walsh has a flawless five-star rating on her debut urban fantasy at the time of this writing, and it’s easy to see why.  In Finding Balance (The Balance Series Book 1), she delivers on a lofty promise to her readers: that the story would be captivating throughout; that it would blend elements of action, romance and drama effortlessly; and that it would keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end, hungry for more.  Finding Balance also finds enough twists and turns to keep it feeling fresh even in a saturated genre.  Readers won’t feel as though they’ve tread the same ground here as they have before in other urban fantasies.

You’d be hard pressed to believe that Finding Balance is Walsh’s first book.  She has a command over the genre, discovering a way to write to the tropes that people enjoy, while subverting those that readers don’t.  And it helps that Walsh has the help of a wonderful cast on her side, who are easy to spend time with, and who you want to know more about—even outside of the enticing and mysterious lead.  With a second book already out, and a third on the horizon, there’s never been a better time to pick up Walsh’s debut urban fantasy.  Check out Finding Balance (The Balance Series Book 1) on Amazon today!

Pillars (Madeline’s Magic Book 1)

Author Claire Theriot Mestepey has set out to tell a heartfelt story in ways that you’ve never seen before in Pillars (Madeline’s Magic Book 1).  Mestepey tells her story through the lens of someone with similar experiences as her protagonist, and it’s one that we don’t often see.  Madeline’s journey begins like any other orphaned hero with the potential for magic, but with an interesting twist.  She’s been paralyzed from the waist down since birth.  It’s refreshing to see a twist on conventions, and a reminder that magic can come from anyone.  It’s balanced well, also; Madeline isn’t defined by her wheelchair.  It’s just a part of who she is.  The author’s focus is on her main character, interesting as she is, but she takes time to explain all about the magic that permeates her vision of our world as well.

Interesting, catching characters and world-beyond-our-own-building aren’t the only things that the author excels at either.  Mestepey’s prose reads like poetry in all the right places, moving things along from one string of interesting events to the next.  Pillars is a considerable story that readers will still enjoy at a brisk pace.  And even when it’s over, they’ll still be hungry for more from Mestepey.  With her talents on full display here, it’s easy to hope that readers won’t be left waiting long for more from Madeline and her friends.  Check out Pillars (Madeline’s Magic Book 1) on Amazon today!

The Devil’s Trill

If you’re on the lookout for an urban fantasy filled with catching magic that’s wrapped up in mystery and intrigue, you need look no further than The Devil’s Trill, by N.B. Saltsman.  The author also knows how to create a feeling from her writing, sending chills up your spine or giving you goosebumps at just the right times.  Saltsman has done her research, and as such, the world she’s built behind the veil of our own feels deep and rich.  And is bolstered by characters that begin to feel more like your friends than tour guides showing you the scenery, as they’re multidimensional and dynamic throughout the run of the story.

If you’re a fan of contemporary fantasy who is looking to be not just entertained, but impressed, The Devil’s Trill is the book for you.  It’s energetic in all the right places, and enigmatic when it is laying out its mysteries.  Though the book ends with great satisfaction, there are still more secrets left to unravel.  With luck, Saltsman will have more from her captivating world soon, but you shouldn’t wait to dive into her incredible debut.  Check out The Devil’s Trill on Amazon today!

Demon Breathing Down My Neck

Author Nick Mikel delights with their versions of angels and demons with very human qualities.  Demon Breathing Down My Neck is Mikel’s debut urban fantasy, and it is irreverent and gritty, but endlessly fun.  The book looks at the things that might be happening just in the shadows of the world we know, and it has some interesting explanations for things.  Part fantasy, part crime series, this tale has a lot riding on it to successfully entertain, but it does so throughout, and with what feels like ease.  This is due, in no small part, thanks to the wit and charm of its lead character, Stella Starwing, who Mikel brings to life in colorful ways.

Readers who like their contemporary fantasies to feel down to Earth even when they’re dealing with the divine will enjoy Demon Breathing Down My Neck.  It has a lot of charm and amusement despite the dire and dour events that transpire.  Mikel develops interesting characters that you want to spend time with.  This is only the first book in the Rainbow Angel Series, but another one will no doubt be here before you know it.  With that in mind, there’s no better time than now to dig into Mikel’s debut Urban Fantasy.  Check out Demon Breathing Down My Neck on Amazon today!

The Last of the Magi: Book 1: The Devouring

Two authors, G. S. Eli and Patrick Wiley, make magic with their debut fantasy, The Last of the Magi: Book 1: The Devouring.  At the forefront of the story are a set of wonderful characters that readers will truly enjoy spending time with, as well as real stakes, and a recognition of important themes and goals.  It’s a story that carries a powerful message beyond just being an entertaining urban fantasy tale.  Eli and Wiley have managed to craft a story that feels like the best of treasure hunting stories, like Indiana Jones and Goonies, mixed with magical academia stories like Harry Potter and the Magicians.

The Last of the Magi is a difficult book to put down, because it is entertaining throughout.  With rich characters, and a world in the shadows of our own that is ripe for exploring, there is a lot to enjoy here.  These two storytellers have harnessed their talent to open up a world that readers will thoroughly enjoy.  While there seems to be more on the way, this first book is a spectacle all on its own, and perfect for a weekend read.  Check out The Last of the Magi: Book I: The Devouring on Amazon today!

Stuart Duffelmeyer and the Masters of Plagues

Author Dewey B. Reynolds has the type of background that makes his descriptions jump off the page.  With scriptwriting in his toolbox, he effortlessly provides entertaining and colorful material for his debut Urban Fantasy, Stuart Duffelmeyer and the Masters of Plagues.  He also produces witty and wordy dialog which elevates the story, be they dripping with ill will, or part of a vengeful soliloquy.  Reynolds is also unabashedly unafraid to poke fun at his protagonist, or to go the extra mile in certain descriptions that take things over the top in delightful ways.  If readers want a sort of balance between crude and refined in their urban fantasies, they’ll certainly find it here.

At the foundation of his urban fantasy debut, Reynolds has something that quite often is missing from other stories that take themselves too seriously.  Stuart Duffelmeyer is quite simply a fun romp that shows where an imaginative story can take us.  It’s quirky and even oddball at times, but it wears those distinctions proudly.  While there is endless potential for more stories within this world, this first book is revenge at its best, and an awesome place to start.  Check out Stuart Duffelmeyer and the Masters of Plagues on Amazon today!

Up.

Children’s Fantasy

Out Of This World (The Amelia Popplewick Adventures Book 1)

N M Miles has released a debut story that is instantly catching for middle-grade readers with Out Of This World (The Amelia Popplewick Adventures Book 1).  Refining this story for many years, the author is drawing back the curtains on the land of Ockopulous for the first time, unveiling a magical place filled with spectacular creatures, dazzling spellcraft, and generational mysteries just waiting to be solved.  Miles ensures their audience will have a grand time as they journey forth alongside Amelia Popplewick, a young girl whose family has inherited an impressive mansion that contains the means to travel to the impressive world outside of our own.

Amelia Popplewick is a wonderful friend for kids and kids at heart, bringing them along for the journey of a lifetime.  Amelia and her friend Jake usher readers forth across the land, but it is the author’s catching and flowery prose that is perfect for an adventure such as this.  It moves at a steady pace, ensuring those along for the adventure are always on the edge of their seats.  Miles has two more books in the series waiting in the wings, and they’re already written, meaning you might not have to wait long to return to Ockopulous or have fun with Amelia.  With that in mind, don’t hesitate to dive into this great portal fantasy.  Check out Out Of This World (The Amelia Popplewick Adventures Book 1) on Amazon today!

The Dragon in the Closet, Book One

A consummate storyteller, Carolyn Watson-Dubisch has written and illustrated a score of wonderful books, achieving no small measure of accolades in the process.  One of her most popular tales, The Dragon in the Closet, has received a Literary Titan Silver award, and she continues to create captivating, entertaining content for this series regularly.  The Dragon in the Closet, Book One, is a compilation of the first three issues of the series, collected in all their kooky glory.  Watson-Dubisch manages to capture the same sort of irreverent humor as you might see in something like the original Addams Family comics, with all the wit and charm therein, though with perhaps some extra splashes of color here and there.

The series puts some twists on familiar fairytales, but the author’s style and her passion for the material shines through and gives it a breath of fresh air that will keep kids engaged, and will even have adults cracking smiles.  Watson-Dubisch might just be your new favorite children’s book author, and with her incredible work ethic, you’ll never run out of new material to dive into.  This book has certainly earned its fans, and now you can join in on the fun at bedtime or anytime.  Check out The Dragon in the Closet, Book One on Amazon today!  And if you’re looking for the paperback version, you can find that here on Amazon as well.

Up.

Dark Fantasy / Horror

Up.

Science Fantasy

Reverberation (Inworld saga Book 1)

Author Adam Jacobson debuts with a quirky and expressive story with Reverberation (Inworld saga Book 1).  This tale is instantly catching, thanks to excellent pacing and its witty, irreverent prose.  Indeed, it is a blend of everything in near-perfect balance that sees Jacobson’s story take off with such captivation.  An ensemble cast will keep smiles on readers’ faces throughout, and a series of strange and exciting sequences will keep them on their toes.  And the farther they travel, the more endearing they become, and the more rooted in the journey fans will be.

Up.

Historical/Military Fantasy

PrincessDie is back in the game, and things have grown more dangerous than ever in Last Life: Level Two.  Author Zack Lester already had a winning combination of captivating characters, witty dialog, and thought-provoking storylines that exploded across the page.  There wasn’t really anywhere to have to put any extra polish, but this sequel certainly puts a shine toward everything.  With the cast of characters only requiring a brief reintroduction, Level Two hits the ground running, settings the stakes and showing the reader what failure could look like, and who is at odds with Diana and the rest of the gamers.  Lester’s sophomore title is a tad longer than the first, but it’s a tight fit regardless, with no extraneous scenes feeling like they’re memory-leaking out of the game, or out of the book.

Level Two does manage to level up in some big ways.  Subterfuge and dark dealings in the shadows of the digital world will astound fans of the first book, ensuring that every page still feels like one turn away from utter chaos.  Even with as many twists and turns as one might expect in this sequel, given the way that the feature debut kept readers on their toes, one big trick was certainly not played toward the end of this tale.  Come what may, a third level looks to be in the mix.  That means there’s no better time than now to get in the game.  Check out Last Life: Level Two on Amazon today!

Last Life: Level One

While he had previously released a science fiction collection in the past, it is Zack Lester’s new feature-length story that will get its hooks in and not let go.  Readers will love the twists and turns of Last Life: Level One, especially if they’re fans of the “games gone deadly” trope that’s regained popularity over the past few years.  Lester story certain feels like it’s at the forefront, but it’s bolstered by an awesome cast, dialog that sticks, and relationships that are easy to care about, and develop in a natural, interesting way.  There’s no force-fed elements or excessive exposition.  Lester simply presents his world as it should be, and let’s his other talents bring it to life by the strength of its characters, the events that unfold, and a bit of a neon glow underneath.

Thanks to great pacing, and a story that won’t quit at any point from the first page to the last, Last Life will keep readers on the edges of their seats.  Though it’s not a terribly brief book, it makes for a quick read because folks will not be able to put it down.  As quick as readers reach the end of this book though, they’ll have to be patient for the next entry in the series to drop, as Lester is also hard at work on several Kindle Vella series.  Still, the more great sci-fi, the better, and you can make proper preparations for the upcoming sequel during this time as well.  Check out Last Life: Level One on Amazon today!

Blackout Trail: A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Survival Thriller

Linda Naughton has been creating and expanding on worlds for decades now, and may have even wrote some of the content in some of your favorite tabletop and video games.  These days, however, she’s flexing her sizable writing muscles and using them for her own projects, and to great effect.  One such project is the post-apocalyptic survival thriller, Blackout Trail.  On top of an explosive story filled with fantastic events that keep readers on the edge of their seats, Naughton populates her narrative with strong, dynamic characters, who don’t feel like dialog slapped onto a page, but rather rich, intelligent, and most importantly, human elements that add an emotional element to her work.  They don’t fit a preconceived notion of what a character should be, but are unique and nuanced.

Right from the first page of Blackout Trail, readers will be glued to the book, except when they hastily turn the page to see what happens next.  Each chapter is well-paced and snappy, as Naughton carefully balances action, detailed descriptions, and involved character moments.  Everything feels steeped in reality, and it is clear that the author did plentiful research to keep the story true to itself.  Naughton, who is clearly passionate about the knowledge she’s amassed over her lifetime, finds no difficulties immersing her readers into this world.  Don’t wait until the power goes out on a rainy day.  Check out Blackout Trail: A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Survival Thriller on Amazon today!

Extinction Reversed

In Extinction Reversed and the series it is part of, the characters you’ll become attached to are the robots. This book is pure, hard, euphoric science fiction at its best, and J.S. Morin makes short work of showing why he’s among the best suited to write it. The story follows Charlie7 in an unbelievable journey of ethics, exploration and restoration. Humanity has fallen, but perhaps there is a way to bring them back. There’s no storyteller who could tell it better than Morin.

Extinction Reversed is the kind of book that epitomizes the science-fiction genre. It’s a great story, written extremely well, with characters who you yearn to learn more about. You want to join them on their journeys of understanding and personal reflection, amidst all the realizations and dangers that the world throws at them.

What are you waiting for? Pick up Extinction Reversed on Amazon today!

Black Ocean Mission Pack 1: Missions 1-4

The Black Ocean series is as close as you can get to a mashup of Firefly and awesome fantasy.  It’s driving force is the characters, which you’ll grow to adore.  The crew of the Mobius—and the people they meet up with—will stick with you long after you’ve raced through your first read of each of the stories.  And you will rip through these before you realize it!

This Mission Pack is a wonderful selection of Morin’s stories from the Black Ocean series.  Morin is as prolific as they come, having written a score of books, with more on the way.  If you want to meet a new favorite author, look no further than this.  There’s no better time than now for you to get these four stories either, as the author has dropped the price to 99 cents for a limited time.  Pick it up on Amazon today!

Black Ocean Mission Pack 2: Missions 5-8

What’s better than one great science fiction story? How about four great ones? J.S. Morin’s Black Ocean Mission Pack 2 is a great entry point into this expansive series. With a score of books under his belt, Morin makes the rest of us writers look like goobers.

Morin is definitely a friend of ours, and we’re happy to see that he’s still cranking out incredible books.  Mission 5 is another perfect entry point to the series, even if you haven’t read from mission 1 on.  And with the 9th one recently released, Black Ocean is a saga you just can’t miss.  Pick up these four great stories today!

Up.

LitRPG, Choose Your Own Adventure, and Interactive Content

Knight Unleashed: The Resonance Cycle, Book 6

With the release of Knight Unleashed: The Resonance Cycle, Book 6, author Aaron Renfroe is delivering for readers and fans in some very big ways.  LitRPGs can sometimes seem like a tough nut to crack as far as sweeping series go.  But Renfroe seems like he never misses a step, always knowing exactly what route he needs to take to elevate his storytelling, and to send his characters are quests and adventures that remain remarkable despite their growing power schemes.  Renfroe is as clever as his craftiest characters, and always builds toward exciting crescendos with each of these books.  With Knight Unleashed bringing up the second to last story in this epic series, it had a considerable weight on its shoulders.  But none would be wise to doubt Renfroe, who stuns with this second-to-last chapter.

As tensions rise higher than ever, the Resonance Cycle books prove that even those with supernatural abilities can be wounded.  If someone can bleed, they can be bled dry.  Despite all of Ty’s strengths, he isn’t invincible, and the author knows how to keep readers and fans guessing about what might come next.  And those threats are laid bare, promising what is to come next in this spectacular LitRPG series.  With the penultimate book in the series now done, there’s never been a better time to dive into Renfroe’s incredible LitRPG series.  Do yourself a favor and check out the first five books of the series.  Then, check out Knight Unleashed: The Resonance Cycle, Book 6 on Amazon today!

Torn Shroud: The Resonance Cycle, Book 5

With over 2500 reviews, and an average that has reached 4.7 out of 5 stars in recent books, the Resonance Cycle has become known as one of the go-to LitRPG series for superfans.  And so, in Aaron Renfroe’s latest in the series, Torn Shroud, the author continues to refine his craft, and develops his characters into an even more catching and captivating cast.  Though the Resonance Cycle can be complex, Renfroe delivers everything with a stunning amount of passion, and works wonders at making everything stand out.  It’s insanity in only the best of its presentation, and the author wants nothing more than to take you on a ride you’ll not soon forget.

LitRPGs can feel like something that are easy to create, as there is usually a sort of template that they follow.  But it takes a master to truly elevate them, and Renfroe is one such aficionado.  As this is the fifth book in this series, it’s been ramped up a considerable amount, but it never feels out of place or unearned.  Instead, Renfroe finds careful balance with a few different storylines, blending everything together in the most delectable ways.  With this penultimate book in the cycle upon us, there’s never been a better time to dive into all the Resonance Cycle books.  Then, do be sure to come back here and check out Torn Shroud: The Resonance Cycle, Book 5 on Amazon today!

Assassin Summoner: Spite the Dark: Book 1 (LitRPG/Progression)

LitRPG author Aaron Renfroe has an immense catalog that he builds quickly, and he’s grown it one book and series larger with the release of his newest, Assassin Summoner: Spite the Dark: Book 1 (LitRPG/Progression).  Those who have grown accustomed to the author’s stories will at once be drawn to his characters, as he writes them with great depth, and with dynamic development in mind.  But Spite the Dark also sets itself aside from Renfroe’s other stories as it instantly identifies itself as a high-octane experience.  Action sequences are fueled by quick and exciting choreography, and there is a freneticism that has readers eager to turn one page after the next.

Always one to find clever ways to layer progression elements into his story, the author has nailed down some very interesting parameters here in Spite the Dark.  He creates an interesting super soldier out of Kaden Yamaguchi, and invited readers to watch as a grand and epic tale unfolds.  Renfroe is a master of the LitRPG domain, and a prolific author who is always working on one stunning story after the next.  With a follow-up in this series set to launch in March, now is the right time to explore his latest progression fantasy.  Check out Assassin Summoner: Spite the Dark: Book 1 (LitRPG/Progression) on Amazon today!

Father of Constructs: The Janitor Killed the World Boss

Aaron Renfroe is no stranger to fantasy or to LitRPG.  That experience is used to great effect in his second LitRPG series starter, Father of Constructs: The Janitor Killed the World Boss.  Renfroe takes his talents and crafts a story with beautiful prose that feels as though it was meticulously chosen, and a story that is equal parts hilarious and heartwarming.  It’s a bit of Flowers for Algernon-meets-World of Warcraft, in the best of ways.  There is a tremendous amount of forethought that went into crafting this world, and it does not exist merely as a place for a player to exert their newfound power.  Rather, it feels as though this fantasy world existed well before any programmer put RPG elements within it.  It could have just as easily been a proper fantasy, but the LitRPG elements elevate it in some interesting ways.  Indeed, Renfroe strikes an interesting and powerful balance between all the fundamental parts of his story.

Renfroe’s sophomore LitRPG series begins with a masterpiece that promises more from the world.  This first book in the set is an incredible look into a world rife with mythology, captivating characters, and a fresh take on what the genre is and where it can go.  The author is also a master at pacing the tale, ensuring that what is on the page is what is on the page is something that will entertain the reader, and not have them feeling bogged down with unnecessary exposition or skippable details.  Its because of that pacing that fans will find themselves turning the final page before long.  But they need not fret for long, because Renfroe has the second book in the series ready to land later this year.  Check out Father of Constructs: The Janitor Killed the World Boss on Amazon today!

Book of Forsaken Futures: MAGI (Books of Forsaken Futures 2)

One of the first things you’ll notice about Shawn Nichols is that he has a lot to say.  In his newest book, Book of Forsaken Futures: MAGI (Books of Forsaken Futures 2), that’s readily apparent, as the book clocks in at over a thousand pages in Kindle format.  None of that is superfluous, mind you.  Nichols presents just the right amount of exposition, and dialog, and action, and manages to deliver a book that marches forth at a wonderful pace.  Moreover, he does so with a book that hops in many different directions.  Choose Your Own Adventure stories have a chance to go off the rails at any point, but Nichols built his tracks sturdy and strong, and they’ll entice readers all the way to the end, no matter which ending they’ll get.

It’s always great when you can return to enjoy a book a second time.  With Nichols’s excellent book, readers can come back to it again and again, learning what choices they may have skipped out on, and how things might have been different if they had taken a chance.  On top of that, they’ll get a chance to see the author’s gripping, exciting prose executed in other sequences.  The best news is that if you enjoy the world that Nichols unleashes here, he’s got more on the way, in a bit more of a linear fashion that explores it in some other ways.  But you should start here, as it’s a great introduction to his writing craftsmanship.  Check out Book of Forsaken Futures: MAGI (Books of Forsaken Futures 2) on Amazon today!

Up.

Manga and Comics

Gifts from the Sacred Warrior

Coming to you from the mind of Iami Breaux, and illustrator Alexander Santer, a native Ukrainian, Gifts from the Sacred Warrior is a beautiful and exciting graphic novel adventure about people taking destiny into their own hands by training the champions meant to bring humanity into the next age.  Breaux and Santer bring this project to life in haunting beauty, whether its the artwork, or the wonderful prose layered beneath.  This set of one dozen tales will be sure to stoke the imagination of anyone who dreams of seeing life beyond the stars, as well as humanity’s journey toward the future.

On the Kickstarter side, Breaux ensures that there is a plethora of goodies to amass, from copies of the book, to prints of the artwork, and beyond.  Even when the project finds its funding, there are also stretch goals planned, which almost every backer level will have access to.  This duo and the rest of their team are a force to watch out for, so do be sure to keep an eye open for the campaign as it makes it way forward, collecting one new backer after another on its road to release.  Check out the Kickstarter for Gifts from the Sacred Warriors, which is now live!

Up.