Book picks similar to
Shardfall by Paul E. Horsman
fantasy
adventure
magic
ashort-101-200p
The Cup and The Prince
Day Leitao - 2020
Her ex-boyfriend thought she couldn't attain glory on her own. Just because she was a girl. And he was the real cheater. So she took his place. Now she's competing for the legendary Blood Cup, representing the Dark Valley. It's her chance to prove her worth and bring glory for her people. If she wins, of course. But winning is far from easy. The younger prince thinks she’s a fragile damsel who doesn’t belong in the competition. Determined to eliminate her at all costs, he's stacking the challenges against her. Ha. All he’s doing is making her want that cup more than ever. The older prince is helping her, but the cost is getting Zora entangled in dangerous flirting games. Flirting, the last thing she wanted. And then there's someone trying to kill her. The Cup and the Prince is a quirky, fast-paced YA fantasy with romance, action, and intrigue, for readers 15 and older. It's book 1 in the series Kingdom of Curses and Shadows.
Hidden
Megg Jensen - 2013
The mystery enshrouding Hutton’s Bridge is as impenetrable as the fog that descended at its borders eighty years ago. Each year, three villagers enter the mist searching for answers. No one ever returns.Then a dragon falls from the sky to the town square, dead—the first glimpse of an outside world that has become nothing more than a fairy tale to Hutton’s Bridge. Except to Tressa.Tressa grew up with Granna’s stories of the days before the fog fell. When Granna dies, leaving Tressa without any family, Tressa ventures into the fog herself, vowing to unravel the foul magic holding Hutton’s Bridge captive. What she discovers beyond the fog endangers the lives of everyone she loves.
Fantasy of Frost
Kelly St. Clare - 2015
What I am capable of, what I will change, what I will become. But there is one thing I will never know...The veil I've worn from birth carries with it a terrible loneliness; a suppression I cannot imagine being free of.Some things never change...My mother will always hate me. Her court will always shun me....Until they do.When the peace delegation arrives from the savage world of Glacium, my life is shoved wildly out of control by the handsome Prince Kedrick who, for unfathomable reasons, shows me kindness.And the harshest lessons are learned.Sometimes it takes the world bringing you to your knees to find that spark you thought forever lost.Sometimes it takes death to show you how to live.(Warning: Cliff-hanger ending. Suitable for mature young adult readers due to swearing.)
Between Ink and Shadows
Melissa Wright - 2020
Her father’s dealings with the dark society known as the Trust cost Nim her freedom. There’s one way out of the contract on her life and that’s to bide her time and pay the tithes. But when the Trust assigns Nim to a task in the king’s own castle, her freedom is not the only thing she’ll risk.Warrick Spenser has a secret. As king’s seneschal, he should be the last soul in Inara to risk association with dark magic, but long-hidden ties to the Trust are harder to shed than simply cutting the threads. When the Trust sends a thief to his rooms, Warrick thinks he’s finally found a way to be rid of them for good. But Nimona Weston is hiding secrets of her own.Magical contracts, blood-debt accountants, and a deadly game. A dark and twisty fantasy that pits magic against kings, perfect for fans of Sorcery of Thorns and Serpent & Dove.
Bound by a Dragon
Linda K. Hopkins - 2014
Keira is content in her small, medieval village - well, sort of. Her mother is pressing her to marry, but her suitors are less than desirable. So when handsome Aaron Drake arrives in the village and focuses his attention on Keira, she cannot help but be interested. But Aaron is not the only new arrival in the area - a fire-breathing dragon has also taken up residence in the mountains, not far from the remote alpine castle that Aaron calls home. What exactly is the connection between Aaron Drake and the dragon? Why is his arrival coincident with the arrival of a beast? And when the dragon rescues her from the unwanted attentions of some village boys, who will set out to rescue her from the huge, scaly, fire-breathing monster? Bound by a Dragon sweeps the reader far from the modern world into a world of castles, medieval markets and fantastical romance.
Hidden Deep
Amy Patrick - 2015
You might think she'd be happy to see him again. Not exactly. She's a bit underdressed (as in skinny-dipping) and he's not supposed to exist. After her father's affair, all Ryann wants is to escape the family implosion fallout and find a little peace. She also wouldn't mind a first date that didn't suck, but she's determined not to end up like her mom: vulnerable, betrayed, destroyed. Ryann's recently moved back to her childhood home in rural Mississippi, the same place where ten years earlier she became lost in the woods overnight and nearly died. She's still irresistibly drawn to those woods. There she encounters the boy who kept her from freezing to death that long ago winter night and was nowhere to be seen when rescuers arrived. He's still mysterious, but now all grown-up and gorgeous, too. And the more she's with him, the greater the threat he poses to Ryann's strict policy-- never want someone more than he wants you. Seventeen-year-old Lad knows the law of his people all too well: Don't get careless and Don't get caught. It's allowed his race to live undetected in this world for thousands of years, mentioned only in flawed and fading folklore…Lad's never been able to forget about Ryann since that night ten years ago. When he sees her again, his fascination re-ignites and becomes a growing desire that tempts him to break all the rules. He's not even supposed to talk to a human, much less fall in love with one.And the timing is atrocious. The Assemblage is coming, the rift between the Light and Dark is widening, and mysterious celebrity fan pods are becoming more and more widespread and influential. Lad may have to trade his own chance at happiness to keep the humans, especially Ryann, blissfully unaware and safe.
The Assassin and the Empire
Sarah J. Maas - 2012
Yet, she won’t be truly free until she is far away from her old master, Arobynn Hamel; Celaena must take one last daring assignment that will liberate her forever. But having it all, means you have a lot to lose . . . This fourth fantastic e-novella gives readers an inside look at the characters who appear in the full-length novel Throne of Glass. Don’t miss out!
Hollow Rock Shifters; Boxset
Brenda Trim - 2019
He's been subjected to torture, degradation, and numerous tests by humans wanting shifter blood. He's convinced he will spend the remainder of his life chained to a wall until sexy scientist, Liv Kimbro, is assigned to his case. She's the first human to show an ounce of compassion and their attraction is combustible despite his disdain for her species. An escape plan unfolds and Lawson sees how far Liv will go to set him free. Passion erupts and raw, primal need is unleashed when they succumb to their desire for one another. Will Lawson reach his safe haven and find a life mate when Liv captures his heart or will their differences destroy them and everyone he loves? Safe Haven Lawson Scott can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. The days of being chained to a wall and unbearable beatings are over. Now, He's renovating a hotel where shifters can relocate and feel safe. His family has reunited and Liv, the woman he loves, is by his side. When he takes on the role as pack leader it seems he has everything he could possibly want. But when a rescued group of shifters come to live at Hollow Rock, his world turns into bitter betrayal overnight and he may lose the one person who matters most. Was that a light at the end of the tunnel? No, wait. That was the headlight of a train. Alpha Lawson and Liv have experienced their fair share of hurdles. He's a shifter, she's human. He was held captive for three years by her former boss. Her best friend can't stand him. They faced every storm and came out stronger and more committed than ever. Happily ever after? Not quite. When Lawson's brother turns Ravin, he and Liv leave Safe Haven in search of him. Liv is convinced she can reverse the horrific side effects of the disease if they can find and capture him. Luckily, they find his brother and take him to Liv's lab for treatment, but when they return home, Lawson is thrown into a death match when a disgruntled pack member challenges his role as leader. Can Lawson defeat his enemy and follow in his father's footsteps as a revered Alpha, or will his dreams of sharing his life force with Liv die during the bloodshed under a full moon?
A Cavern of Black Ice
J.V. Jones - 1999
Jones's Sword of Shadow seriesAs a newborn Ash March was abandoned--left for dead at the foot of a frozen mountain. Found and raised by the Penthero Iss, the mighty Surlord of Spire Vanis, she has always known she is different. Terrible dreams plague her and sometimes in the darkness she hears dread voices from another world. Iss watches her as she grows to womanhood, eager to discover what powers his ward might possess. As his interest quickens, he sends his living blade, Marafice Eye, to guard her night and day.Raif Sevrance, a young man of Clan Blackhail, also knows he is different, with uncanny abilities that distance him from the clan. But when he and his brother survive an ambush that plunges the entire Northern Territories into war, he yet seeks justice for his own . . . even if means he must forsake clan and kin.Ash and Raif must learn to master their powers and accept their joint fate if they are to defeat an ancient prophecy and prevent the release of the pure evil known as the End Lords.
Poison Study
Maria V. Snyder - 2005
She'll eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace—and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia.And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly's Dust—and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison.As Yelena tries to escape her new dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and Yelena develops magical powers she can't control. Her life is threatened again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren't so clear...
The Unforgiven
Michael Anderle - 2020
A moment when one must decide what one is willing to accept. Death, defeat, or allow one’s carnal rage to take control and consequences be damned.” Skharr DeathEaterA lone DeathEater has forsaken his clan. Leaving behind his previous life, Skharr starts building a future next to a dangerous forest in an unknown land.He tells himself it is better than taking gold for questionable reasons.A lone old man travelling with a donkey offers him a choice: Continue this farm life, or trade him Skharr’s just finished home and tilled land for a map.A map that Skharr can use to live large for years… If he survives.The old peddler watches him. Realizing the intelligence, the polished actions of the huge man is but an act. A carefully orchestrated semblance of civility, and shudders.Of all the Barbarian hordes, the rumor was to never, ever upset a DeathEater.And he had come here to unleash this particular DeathEater back into the world.
The Basilisk's Creed: Volume One
Eme Strife - 2013
I guess I can blame reality TV for that pervasive B.S. Maybe it was good thing my old man banned television at home for all the years he was alive, after all. I probably would’ve been even more deluded than I was when I’d moved up here from Arkansas three months ago.Looking back, I’m not even sure why I did it; why, of all the places I could’ve chosen to start a new life, I picked Los Angeles: one of the most expensive places in the world to live. I don’t even know anyone one here. Heck, I’d never even visited the city before my move.Still, I’m determined to make it here, to make something of myself. And that means I have no time for distractions of any kind—especially guys.But then, he comes along; the sexiest, strongest, most handsome, most intimidating, and most powerful man I’ve ever seen.He’s absolutely gorgeous, with eyes that seem to burn right through my soul and the most charming smile in existence, and his allure, his entire being, is simply magnetic.He’s impossibly beautiful and just…ugh, perfect. He’s perfect. He’s everything every woman—and possibly quite a few men—wants, including me.What I’m not prepared for, though, is how much he wants me, too.However, there are three problems.One: He’s not a man.Two: I can only see him in my dreams.And three: He commands an army of soul reapers.And, apparently, that’s just the beginning…***Immerse yourself in the first thrilling installment of Eme Strife's addictive, sexy, enchanting, and surreal series. Each page will leave you even more enthralled than the last, on the edge of your seat, and vigorously chomping at the bit for more.This series unfolds over several volumes. IT IS NOT A STANDALONE.Rated 18+This series contains graphic sexual content, violence, and strong language. Because of its explicit nature, it is intended for mature audiences only. Reader discretion is advised.This book was previously published as an older edition. This is the new one.
Courage
Lena North - 2015
I’m different, and I paid for it every day of my life until Valerian of the Waterfolk attacked and I had to flee into the mountains with Troy and our former best friend Susannah.We ended up in Dragoncourt, the stronghold of the Dreughan, where my life became completely different, and a lot more complicated in so many ways. Instead of struggling in a muddy little corner of the world I suddenly worry about finding out who my parents really were, how to get out of being promised to the beautiful prince, how to hide that his cousin can speak inside my head… and what happens when Valerian takes me up on that challenge I issued?Step into the world of the Dreughan and follow Vilda’s journey full of laughter, adventure, and romance in the first book in the Dreughan trilogy, set in a medieval paranormal fantasy world from a thousand years ago. The Dreughan trilogy can be read standalone, but it’s also the starting point for Ms. North’s Urban Fantasy series "Birds of a Feather".
Captain Hawkins
H. Peter Alesso - 2016
His heroic effort to save the lives of innocent women and children, caught in the cross-fire of war, placed him squarely in the cross-hairs of avenging soldiers.Hawkins was stunned when his rescue effort was seen as treachery. Unfairly convicted of treason by a corrupt judge, he was sentenced to life imprisonment at hard labor on an infamous penal colony.Once in prison, his courage and perseverance won him the admiration and trust of his fellow convicts. While he was plotting his escape, an enemy attacked the planet--giving this daring warrior his chance. Together with his fellow prisoners, he launched a bold assault and high-jacked an enemy warship.From then on, Captain Jamie Hawkins and his ship the Indefatigable fought against a corrupt government--only to discover a mysterious alien presence was behind the war.
The Light of Eidon
Karen Hancock - 2003
But on the eve of taking the vows that will irrevocably separate him from the life he was born to--as Abramm Kalladorne, fifth son of the king of Kiriath--he is betrayed by his spiritual mentor and sold into slavery by his brothers.Swept along by the winds of a new destiny, Abramm is forced to compete as a gladiator. When the oppressed masses rally around his success, he discovers his suffering has molded him into something greater than he ever though possible--to serve a purpose he never imagined.Set in a world of swords and cloaks, of glittering palaces and mystical temples, of galley ships and ancient mist-bound cities, The Light of Eidon is the first volume of an epic series, LEGENDS OF THE GUARDIAN-KING.