fantasy – heroic

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Summary: Chloe’s first memory is of being carried hurriedly by Tashuhunka through sleeting rain with echoing blasts of thunder as an epic battle raged overhead. Tash, the only boy that wasn’t caught that night, raised her in secret as he also hid in the woods. She is devastated years later when he sends her to live with a family. She feels like she was orphaned twice. Now eighteen, Chloe is starting to hear things that other’s can’t. She feels drawn places she was warned about, and she dreams of boys...but there aren’t any boys in the realm - other than Tash. All the other boys were imprisoned by the witch who believes one of them is the emperor's heir and she wants that power. After the witch won the battle and imprisoned the boys, she cast a spell making everyone forget about them. Now, Chloe has seen the boys in visions. Her friends think she's imagining. Tash knows better. This is what he was afraid of. He tried to protect her from a perilous fate written in ancient prophecies, but as she comes of age, destiny propels her to solve the mysteries of the realm and free the boys. But, how? Magic doesn't work without dust, which is scarce now, and Chloe doesn't have superpowers. She's just a misfit, from the wrong side of the pond. Something inside drives her. She doesn't know she's being brave. She's just following her heart, and not thinking how scary it all is.

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Summary: Welcome to the Industrial Revolution. Magic has been banished back to the edges of the continent, and Sorin the Master Chemist has one remaining task: restore the guilds of Gasta Fletcha to save the continent's economy, and its soul. Except the continent has never been more prosperous. Queen Magda is ready to leave the guilds behind and embrace the incoming factories. Sorin’s task of releasing trapped skills from magic amulets is no longer a priority of the crown. Sorin would rather die than give up on the guilds, but Sorin is not the queen and does not get to make these decisions. To make matters worse, the magic of Gasta Fletcha will not be so easily ignored. Sorin would like nothing more than to sort both their personal and professional differences with Magda, but, spurred by a disembodied magic voice from an amulet, they set out on a quest across the continent, hoping to discover a new purpose. What they find instead is a trail of destruction in the wake of a rapidly growing industry: factories with horrible working conditions, children maimed in the pursuit of economic growth, and the devastating loss of guild tradition. It will take a blend of magic, chemistry, tradition, and progress to save the guilds and Gasta Fletcha, and Sorin must decide what is truly in the people's best interest—cultural history or economic prosperity. One choice will cost Sorin their queen. The other will cost them their heritage.

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Summary: It's a time of change, between magic and alchemy. Born the heir of a master woodcutter in a queendom defined by guilds and matrilineal inheritance, nonbinary Sorin can’t quite seem to find their place. At seventeen, an opportunity to attend an alchemical guild fair and secure an apprenticeship with the queen’s alchemist is just within reach. But on the day of the fair, Sorin’s mother goes missing, along with the Queen and hundreds of guild masters, forcing Sorin into a woodcutting inheritance they never wanted. With guild legacy at stake, Sorin puts apprentice dreams on hold to embark on a journey with the royal daughter to find their mothers and stop the hemorrhaging of guild masters. Princess Magda, an estranged childhood friend, tests Sorin’s patience—and boundaries. But it’s not just a princess that stands between Sorin and their goals. To save the country of Sorpsi, Sorin must define their place between magic and alchemy or risk losing Sorpsi to rising industrialization and a dark magic that will destroy Sorin’s chance to choose their own future.

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Summary: A sorcerer bent on world domination. A tranquil continent suddenly coming under attack.. Can Marlys summon the means to defeat him? Marlys and the other High Sorcerers have maintained peace for centuries. The sorcerous wars which almost destroyed the planet are long past. But that peace is shattered with the arrival of a rogue sorcerer with powerful magical weapons. Their first clash results in a devastating rout. Afflicted but determined, Marlys rallies her fellow sorcerers and gathers the resources of the legendary Library of Sorcery and the Spell Passage. Yet even her boldest moves fall short of success. Sorcerers in her company meet with tragic endings. The entire continent falls under siege. Can Marlys lead her allies to victory over this relentless foe? The fate of her world hangs in the balance. Shadows of the Sorcerers is the conclusion of an absorbing fantasy trilogy. If you like valiant heroes, clever strategies, and courageous acts, you’ll love Joan Marie Verba’s riveting adventure.

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Summary: “Magic permeated the atmosphere. It left a tangy taste in my mouth.” News of an old adversary sends Queen Jade of Sharren on a journey of discovery. Can she fulfill her vow to bring them to justice or will they elude her again? SONG OF JADE: HIDDEN KINGDOM continues the story of the woman who didn’t want to be queen with another standalone adventure. This is the second DRAGON AGE prequel to the WOODSPELL SERIES and one of the TALES OF ARDONNA. Content Advisory: Contains adult themes and situations and spoilers for Song of Jade: Red Wolf and the Mage Era books

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Summary: "This was a good time for silent reflection, to ask myself how—in all the rumored worlds—I’d arrived here." All she wanted was a secure home, but Maddie’s problems just got bigger. GIANTS’ GATE is a standalone MAGE ERA prequel to the WOODSPELL SERIES and one of the TALES OF ARDONNA. Content Advisory: Contains adult themes and situations and spoilers for River’s Roar

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Summary: Introducing DR, the original Draconian Warrior. Surviving the destruction of ancient Atlantis, DR has lived in secrecy for over 12,500 years. He was the second Draconian cloned on Atlantis and the first one to live. With his fellow Draconian Warriors enslaved on Atlantis, DR has remained free by staying hidden. His well-known allegiance to Atlantis’ greatest threat, Villonious, and the fact that he is on the outside, would put him at the top of their most wanted list...if the Atlanteans knew he was alive. DR is an enlightened being. His powers are human, honed over time. He knows many secrets, but one in particular, kept from Justin for his own safety, may be his undoing. With ancient technology that surpasses our own, he has joined Hexon’s elite circle and disguised as Draegon, is in a key position to help his friend uncover the covert organization’s plans. Featuring 35th Generation Shaolin Grandmaster Dr. Kam Yuen, as himself - real-life Grandsifu Shaolin KF, Taiqi, Qigong, Rocket Scientist. yuenmethod.com The story continues... Rejected by Justin, Kaila learns everyone she loves has been out to control her power. Deeply hurt, she cuts all ties with them. Meanwhile, unscrupulous mercenaries from around the world are being covertly recruited by a little known corporation called Hexon. The secretive organization is suspected of having ties to terrorist activity but nothing has been proven. Well-financed with technology that rivals the Atlanteans, Hexon is not only dangerous, but difficult to infiltrate. Several government agents on the case have disappeared. After linking them to a string of murders and EMF (electromagnetic frequency) bombings, and after being betrayed by everyone, including her own family, Kaila accepts unorthodox backup from two unusual allies, reptilians Krill and Tog, and sets out to take Hexon down...alone.

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Summary: BLACK TIDE: Awakening of the Key  by Debbie Bishop (Author), Mike S. Miller (Illustrator) @debbiebishop_ 5.0 out of 5 stars   (3) COMPLEX PLOT WITH MANY CHARACTERS - Part Sci-fi, part fantasy, with elements of covert intrigue and superhero action, Black Tide is one of the more multifaceted stories I've read in quite a long time. The art by Mike S. Miller is first-rate and very smooth. If you like in-depth, elaborate storylines, then this is unquestionably a book you'll want to read. It's rare that you get a comic series this complex today. Reviewed by Tim Janson Atlantis is now a myth, and the Atlanteans would like to keep it that way. Living secretly among us, their elite Black Ops team tries to protect us from supervillains from ancient times. As leader of the most covert black ops team in the world, Justin has devoted his life to saving others. Captured on a mission, he discovers that he was once the most powerful villain of Atlantis. After its demise 12,000 years ago, survivors recreated Atlantis and regenerated their higher beings who had been killed in the war. Villonious survived, but since they feared him, he was put in stasis and hidden from those who would free him. His love, Kaila, never gave up trying to find him. When she finally nearly succeeds, the heirarchy blocks his memories so he will not remember how to use his powers then forces him to be reborn. Now, on a mission to solve the mystery of a series of international murders, he is reunited with his enemies. In a weird twist of fate, he triggers the same series of events that led to the destruction of his ancient land. He is a changed man who remembers nothing of his past. But how he deals with the present will either save us or destroy us all.

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Summary: Silya comes into her own, but will she be enough? Silya finally has everything she always wanted: She's the Hencha Queen, head of the Temple, and is mastering her newfound talents. So why does the world pick now to fall apart? Her once-nemesis Raven is off riding dragons, and their mutual friend (and her ex) Aik is nowhere to be found. Meanwhile, a new threat menaces the Heartland from the East. If she can't convince a reluctant city council to prepare for the worst, she may lose everything—and everyone—she's ever cared about. As Silya wields her abilities, dry wit, and sheer determination to save her city, she's joined by Raven and his new friends, just as a dark storm threatens to sweep them all away. Will their aid help tip the scales? And will she and Raven finally find out what happened to Aik? Forget messy. Things just got apocalyptic.

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Summary: "Once upon a time, there was a girl who spoke with birds" She’d used her mage powers to build a successful detective agency, but Dhana’s impressive skills might not be enough to save her family. MIDNIGHT CROW is a standalone sequel to the WOODSPELL SERIES and one of the TALES OF ARDONNA. Content Advisory: Contains adult themes and situations, including violence and assault, plus spoilers for previous Modern Era books  

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Summary: A vengeful plan. An impossible impasse. When confronted by the magnitude of past deeds, will she be caught in a spellbound standstill? High Sorcerer Marlys has earned the respect of her colleagues. Twelve years after freezing her ruthless predecessor in time to protect her region, the powerful leader has worked hard to bring about peace and tranquility. But while presiding over a beautiful double wedding, a rival enchantress traps Marlys's friends with an identical spell in malicious payback. Denying the intruder's demand to free Marlys's predecessor after more than a decade bespelled, Marlys and her companion sorcerers frantically search for a way to crack their adversary's magic. And with each side refusing to compromise and driven by distrust, they face a mountainous task—to find the legendary Library of Sorcery, which they hope contains the knowledge to restore their friends. With their opponent also on the passage to the Library, can Marlys and her companions reach their destination first to end the magical deadlock? Secrets of the Sorcerers is the refreshing first book in a quest fantasy series. If you like strong characters, gentle humor, and action-filled adventure, then you'll love Joan Marie Verba's enthralling story. Join the sorcerers on their quest. Buy Secrets of the Sorcerers to break the spell today!

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Summary: RISE (noun / verb) Eight definitions to inspire writers around the world, and an unlimited number of possible stories to tell: 1) An upward slope or movement 2) A beginning or origin 3) An increase in amount or number 4) An angry reaction 5) To take up arms 6) To return from death 7) To become heartened or elated 8) To exert oneself to meet a challenge Rise features 300-word speculative flash fiction stories from across the rainbow spectrum, from the minds of the writers of Queer Sci Fi.

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Summary: Look to the skies! Brave adventurers face new relationships and adversity in all sizes, from steampunk dirigibles to harpies, giant bees to garden gnomes, and winged dinosaurs to sky pirates. Isolated mountain peaks, clifftop cities, and battles in the sky abound in this sapphic anthology focused on overcoming challenges awaiting in the clouds. If you like diverse stories with lesbian and sapphic-centric heroines enjoying the thrill of adventure high in the air, buy Lofty Mountains today! With stories by: Seanan McGuire, Rosiee Thor, Rebecca Kim Wells, Maya Gittelman, Carmen Loup, Sara Codair, William C. Tracy, N.L. Bates, L.R. Gould, Robin C.M. Duncan, and J.S. Fields

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Summary: Enter The Game is where it all begins for Justin. As the teenage son of an International Special Forces agent, Justin has seen the dangers in the world first hand. He's been to more high schools than he can count and can't talk to a girl to save his life. But now, when his dad is left for dead by the powers who employ him Justin must somehow find the courage to locate and rescue him by himself. To do it, he will have to infiltrate the Deceivers - the most covert and deadly Black Ops organization in the world. Based on the popular comic book Black Tide. The fascinating story combines science, history, technology, myth, metaphysics and tales of Atlantis with some of the same issues we face in our world today. Unlike the comic book, this novel is set in Justin’s formative teen years. Justin is an old soul and he is haunted by nightmares from what he thinks might be his previous life. If it was, can he forgive himself? How does a soldier go on after violence?

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Summary: The world is wide and full of wonders Fleeing her country in order to save it, Princess Jade of Sharren discovers a greater threat. SONG OF JADE: RED WOLF is a standalone DRAGON AGE prequel to the WOODSPELL SERIES and one of the TALES OF ARDONNA. Content Advisory: Contains adult themes and situations and spoilers for River’s Roar  

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Summary: Rumors are swirling in the northlands about a curse in Westcliff. People are being driven mad by the touch of angry ghosts during the full moon, in a village already haunted by a brutal murder from decades ago. Growing up as an orphan, Genshai always expected his life would be the same as the other warriors of the abbey: learning the ways of the Iron Style, and training his mind and body toward Illumination. But, at the start of his fifteenth year the boy is shocked when the abbot names him the new laymonk, and he is sent to learn the ways of the world from his predecessor, an old man named Taisan. Soon, Genshai receives firsthand lessons in ways that he never imagined— from fighting for his life, to defending the innocent, and even striding between two worlds, into the ethereal Veil. And just as Genshai is beginning to learn how to keep the Still Mind in the presence of spirits, the laymonks are sent to Westcliff to break an old curse, and to confront an unfathomable evil. By taking up the staff of the laymonk, will Genshai uncover the truth about himself? Or will the madness spread, causing his greatest fears to be revealed on the night the Lotus is in Bloom?

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Summary: The realm of Maldhonia was happy and prosperous, until strangers fell from the sky She’d given her life for power and a fresh start, but Calianthema had found a new trap—caught in a love spell with a dangerous nemesis. And this wasn’t the worst of her problems. RIVER’S ROAR is a standalone MAGE ERA prequel to the WOODPELL SERIES and one of the TALES OF ARDONNA. Content Advisory: Adult themes and situations

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Summary: A bond she didn’t choose. A love she can’t escape. A creature so powerful it bends the limits of time… Smart, sassy, and sanguine, Des Mildue is a traveling sellsword in Rescalin, a dry and dusty kingdom full of rogues, opportunists, and thieves. She keeps her nose clean, brazens it out with a blade when she can’t, and keeps others at arm’s length where they can’t mess up her plans. That is, until a sword fight gone wrong leaves her tied by blood to the first dragon hatched in centuries. Suddenly, Des has to contend with a new voice in her head: haughty, willful Esquidamelion. Des wants to leave Squid by the roadside, but the blood bond has other ideas. With half the world on their tail - including Liv, her beautiful, faithless ex who Des is definitely over - Des must search for answers for why so many are willing to kill, maim and torture to get their hands on Squid. But she’s beginning to suspect her blood bond has tied her not only to a dragon, but to a fight for Rescalin’s future… …and no one else even knows it’s at risk. If you like the kind of story that grabs you by the shirtfront and hauls you through mystery, magic, adventure and betrayal, with a side of sapphic romance, pick up The Blood-Born Dragon, first in a new trilogy from debut author J.C. Rycroft.

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Summary: IMAGINE BEING the only un-magical kid at Hogwarts. That’s how sixteen-year-old orphan Jaden Raines feels as he enters Azunya High. He struggles to fit in, but he’s really a fish out of water. The magical isle of Azunya, where paranormal policing agency B.O.O. is headquartered, is shocking to Jaden after having lived his entire life in the American Midwest. Back there, his classmates were freaks, geeks and gangstas. Here, his classmates are genies, witches, healers… A whole pantheon of beings and monsters. And worse yet, he’ll have to read The Old Man and the Sea. Again. Jaden might be the new kid in town, but he’s still a teen. It’s love at first sight with handsome skater-boy Stiltz. They have three things in common: neither is able to use magic, they’re both petrified of water, and, lucky for Jaden, they’re both gay. They should bond, but their relationship’s stormy from the start. To try to fit in, Jaden hides his powerless state, accidentally creating the myth that he’s the most powerful being of them all. But when the entire school demands a demonstration, what’s Jaden to do? New lies and cruel deceptions leave Jaden and Stiltz stranded at sea in the middle of a deadly tropical storm. In order to survive, the boys must spill their secrets. It’s sink or swim for our heroes. Only the truth can set them free. And keep them alive.

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Summary: Clarity (noun) Four definitions to inspire writers around the world and an unlimited number of possible stories to tell: 1) Coherent and intelligible 2) Transparent or pure 3) Attaining certainty about something 4) Easy to see or hear Clarity features 300-word speculative flash fiction stories from across the rainbow spectrum, from the minds of the writers of Queer Sci Fi.