epic fantasy

The Moon Rogue by LMR Clarke

Join Emmy on her journey from humble and abused apothecary’s apprentice to lynch pin in a plan to save the world from ‘Dark’ magic in this fantastical coming of age story.

Prince Mantos, rightful heir of the Masvam Empire, is murdered to allow Dorai, the Dark Goddess, to seek ultimate power.

However, all is not lost, for Mantos has died once before and mysteriously returned from the dead.

Into this tumultuous conflict steps Emmy, a slave who escaped captivity, only to be enslaved once more. Recognized by the healer Rel, who shares Emmy’s unusual skin coloring, as a descendant of the Uloni, a race brought forth into the world by the daughter of gods, Emmy may be the key to returning balance to this world.

Enemies become friends, and lovers become enemies as the battle lines are drawn in a desperate struggle to save the world from Dark Magic.

The Moon Rogue is a must read for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Emily M. Danforth and Samantha Shannon.

Birth Right: Galak’s Rising by Christina Goebel

By Book Lovers Magazine

Birth Right: Galak’s Rising by Christina Goebel

“A brilliant start to the series . . .” Prairies Book Review

“Sci-fi and fantasy readers seeking a story that bridges several subgenres and fills its pages with impossible challenges and hope against all odds will find Birth Right: Galak’s Rising an excellent story that stands well on its own, but sets the stage for more stories in the series. It’s a vivid, memorable tale of choices, consequences, and their lasting impact on the future of humanity that will linger in the mind long after the final struggle’s outcome.” D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

What do you do when the world’s greatest power has no conscience?

Two, not of blood, but joined in blood,
may conquer only as a selfless act of love.
–from The Prophecy of the Dancers of Silence

The illustrated dystopian science fiction epic fantasy Birth Right Trilogy depicts the first battles of a brutal war between humans, cyborgs, robots, and genetically enhanced beings. In the first book, Birth Right: Galak’s Rising, you are introduced to the Valki and Galak.

At the onset of a technological war that could destroy their race and the technology that made them superior, the genetically enhanced Valki traveled more than a century into the future.

In this new civilization, Galak, a cruel cyborg obsessed with creating his own race of superior beings, induces the remaining human feudal and native tribes to war against one another. To limit the Valki population, births are restricted to one per woman, unless they are twins. Galak demands that Valki teen twins compete for a Birthright, the right to have children—or be sterilized.

The courage of two young Valki women to resist Galak’s law pits princes, kings, and mighty warriors against a merciless and powerful foe.

To save humanity, the girls, named only 99 and 100, and their allies must resist an opponent who has the field and technological advantages. Only those willing to sacrifice everything can defeat their enemies.

The Birth Right Trilogy explores the ethical implications of technology with adventure, romance, humor, and terror.

Kent Burles created the nineteen illustrations for Galak’s Rising.

Journey To Osm – The Blue Unicorn’s Tale by Sybrina Durant

By Book Lovers Magazine

Journey To Osm – The Blue Unicorn’s Tale by Sybrina Durant

Take a fantastic journey across the Land of MarBryn where the magical metal-horned unicorn tribe from Unimaise was accidentally stranded years ago. After a century, the entire tribe has nearly been decimated by a powerful wizard who collects their horns and hooves to increase his own magic and control over the land. The prophecy that a savior would come along to lead the unicorns back to their home world seems to have turned into a cruel hoax but the least likely candidate steps forward to answer the call. He has no metal and he has no magic and that seems to spell only doom but the tribe has no choice other than to trust that he will be the one to save them all.

Winterbloom by Jessica Rydill

By Book Lovers Magazine

Winterbloom by Jessica Rydill

Sophie Vasilyevich is a teenager growing up in Anglond, the child of exiles. Sometimes grass springs up where she walks, and her future holds an unusual fate: she is going to be kidnapped when she is sixteen, and no one can stop it.
Taken between worlds to the city of Bath in 1920’s England, Sophie meets a young man called James Carnwallis, once a pilot in the Great War. But even as she falls in love, she learns more about the forces at work – and her fate in their plans.
As an alliance of shamans, ghosts and gods assembles in a desperate attempt to recover Sophie and prevent the destruction of their worlds, they find that their only hope may lie in Sophie’s gift, and in the Greenwood: a power older than time itself.

Never (Prequel to The Amber Isle) by Ashley Capes

By Book Lovers Magazine

Never (Prequel to The Amber Isle) by Ashley Capes

Adventure? Check. Magic? Check. Sarcasm? You bet. Join Never as he hunts for the truth about his true name in an epic fantasy quest full of action and mystery – starting with the daring theft of a treasure map!

First Magyc by Nicole DragonBeck

By Book Lovers Magazine

First Magyc by Nicole DragonBeck

The object which shielded Demona for centuries is broken, the Path is fading, and the Guardians are in hiding.

When Ria finds her way to this new world of music and magyc by helping the Guardian Cedar Jal escape his prison between worlds, she is drawn into his struggle, and discovers she may be the answer the Guardians need.

Cedar doesn’t want Ria to be the one named and fated to die in the Prophecy, but what if she is their only hope to defeat the Sorcerer, rekindle the Path, and save Demona?

Fans of J. R. R. Tolkien, Christopher Paolini, and Terry Brooks will enjoy this epic fantasy saga!

The DrakonCore by J. R. Emmerling

By Book Lovers Magazine

The DrakonCore by J. R. Emmerling

In a world where Dragons – Gods once ruled, it all came to an end when a Great War nearly tore the world apart, but now humans and lizardiods have claimed the world. Two millenia later, an old enemy has began plotting to take over the world that brings new chaos. For Amarika, it causes turmoil, sending it into a war. Maryla, a Mystic Mage for the Mystic Cast, joined the DrakonCore on behalf of her Mother Superior now is sent on a mission to find out who was stealing Drakships and Drakboats, awhile sees the chaos that sends her squadron to D’raq. Jonnis, a youngling Dragon, is sent to a training program by the Draglians only to see a fellow youngling treated bad by the trainer. When he fights back against the trainer, he is punished and sent to a prison cell. After a chat with Maryla, Captain Kolkov, the mastermind behind the missing Drakship and Drakboats, has a change of heart and requests a meeting with Maryla’s commanding officer – General Swartzov. He agrees to help them in their cause for good and nearly gets assasinated. DrakonCore is sent to D’raq to resolve the continuing conflict by their Dicatator. Maryla remembers a vision she had upon seeing the Global Trade Center buildings attacked and collapsed. She goes and sees her Mother Superior to discover what she saw while she was in desert in Draglos. Once she realizes what she saw, Maryla rushes to save her squadron, but can she get there in time?

The Dragon Whisperer by Lucinda Hare

By Book Lovers Magazine

The Dragon Whisperer by Lucinda Hare

Amanda Craig The Sunday Times ~ “One of the most captivating new books to be published for 8+ for some time . . . It made me laugh, cry and remember exactly what’s so special about the time when you or your child live in hope of finding a dragon of your own”

Shortlisted 2010 Royal Mail Awards for Scottish Children’s Books

Silver Medal Winner 2013 ~ Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards

The Bookbag ~ I thought this was an absolutely gorgeous little book. It’s charming but exciting too, and while I think it will find its most loyal audience amongst tween girls there’s also plenty to appeal to boys and older teens.Thoroughly enjoyable and beautifully written dragon fantasy with a good conflict between disparate protagonists. Plenty of appeal for a wide range of readers.

Fantasy Book Review ~ A Battledragon of a Book ~ for all ages!~ Reading Lucinda Hare’s debut novel The Dragon Whisperer is like riding a dragon. You have to hold on tight during the twist and turns, take time to stop and enjoy the breathtaking view, prepare yourself for the sudden lows, enjoy the soaring heights and make sure you’re not on the wrong end of that fiery breath!

A tale hatched from Hare’s real-life experiences and devotion to all kinds of animals, The Dragon Whisperer follows Earl’s daughter (and dragon whisperer), eleven year old Quenelda. Her best friend is a battle-dragon with the comically cautionary name of Two Gulps and You’re Gone, who she can command through thought alone. Hare offers a headstrong heroine in Quenelda that chooses dragons over dresses, battles over boys and ultimately dreams of joining her father’s side as a warrior in the Stealth Dragon Services.

Don’t be fooled though… just because Hare has chosen a young girl as her protagonist doesn’t mean she has written a book solely for that gender. Yes, the tale flies in the face of books such as Harry Potter and Artimis Fowl that have strong male protagonists, but The Dragon Whisperer contains enough dark magic, fierce battle dragons, and slimy hobgoblins to appeal to young boys.

Regardless of gender, readers will root for the underdog (a young gnome named Root) and wish they had their very own dragon. On the surface, Hare describes the relationship been Quenelda and Two Gulps like that between horse and rider, but the dragons are given such a depth of history and behaviours, that after the book is shut, the reader half expects to see these beasts lurking in local paddocks.

The one letdown of Hare’s work, is that, in marketing it towards children, adults might see it as ‘just another children’s book’ and pass it over. The back cover boasts a ‘9+’ age rating and I urge anyone nine or over to snap this read up. Verdict? A battle-dragon of a book!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMNp_24MzJE&t=4s

The Bellringer by William Timothy Murray

By Book Lovers Magazine

The Bellringer by William Timothy Murray

For centuries, the Great Bell was silent…

It remained undisturbed, nearly forgotten by history, hidden away in the ruins of an abandoned fortress. The enchantments within its iron slumbered, its secrets protected by silence. Until someone discovered how to ring the Bell, other secrets would remain safe.

One day, while running an errand, a young store clerk took a wrong turn, then another, until he found himself deep within the old fortress where the Great Bell waited.

It waited for him.

And when the hapless clerk rang the Great Bell and released its enchantments, his troubles began.

For he had become the Bellringer.

He claimed it was all an accident, that he did not mean to ring the Bell. Fate, it seemed, thought otherwise, and proof of the Bellringer’s destiny began to emerge just as the world spiraled into war. Revolt and treachery worked to break apart the Seven Realms. Armies were on the march. The faraway King, obsessed with his own power, seemed unwilling or unable to prevent the looming catastrophe.

Perhaps a new King was needed…if only someone could penetrate the secret of the King’s power and take the throne before it was too late. It was foretold that the person who discovered the True Name of the King would become the next King. But who was capable of such a thing?

The Bellringer.
= = = = = = = = = = = = =
About The Year of the Red Door

244 Days Remain. That is all.

The Year of the Red Door has begun, and four months have already passed by. This is the story of the last 244 days. Uncanny things are taking place in the world, mysterious powers are stirring, and there are signs of coming change. Like pieces on a game-board, ancient forces are moving into position, gathering strength. Many sense the portents and see the signs, but few know their meaning. Fewer still understand what must be done. But who is there to do it? In only 244 days, six intrepid travelers must cross thousands of miles, to the far edge of the world, to find a place that may not even exist. A legendary place called Griferis where a new king may be prepared, trained, and judged for worthiness. It is their bid to find that place, to discover the secret Name of the King, and to make one of their companions the new King. But hope is thin, and time runs out. Can the Name be found? Can the Usurper use it to take the throne? And will it make any difference? It already seems too late.

In the spirit of J.R.R. Tolkien and Charles Dickens comes a new heroic tale, a story of ageless love and brave determination, of tragic loss and the hope of redemption. During this quest, mythic powers arise from the ancient past, fate collides with destiny, and the world edges swiftly to its final destruction or to its ultimate fulfillment. Only the Bellringer can tip the balance of fate, but the world is almost out of time…

The Bellringer by William Timothy Murray

By Book Lovers Magazine

The Bellringer by William Timothy Murray

For centuries, the Great Bell was silent…

One day, while running an errand, a young store clerk took a wrong turn, then another, until he found himself deep within the old fortress where the Great Bell waited.

It waited for him.

And when the hapless clerk rang the Great Bell and released its enchantments, his troubles began.

For he had become the Bellringer.

The Bellringer.

– – – – About THE YEAR OF THE RED DOOR:

244 Days Remain.
That is all.

The Year of the Red Door has begun, and four months have already passed by.
This is the story of the final days of the Second Age.

Uncanny things are taking place in the world, mysterious powers are stirring, and there are signs of coming change. Like pieces on a game-board, ancient forces are moving into position, gathering strength. Many sense the portents and see the signs, but few know their meaning. Fewer still understand what must be done. But who is there to do it?

In only 244 days, six intrepid travelers must cross thousands of miles, to the far edge of the world, to find a place that may not even exist. A legendary place called Griferis where a new king may be prepared, trained, and judged for worthiness. It is their bid to find that place, to discover the secret Name of the King, and to make one of their companions the new King. But hope is thin, and time runs out. Can the Name be found? Can the Usurper use it to take the throne? And will it make any difference? It already seems too late.