Book picks similar to
Kingdom Ascent by Valena D'Angelis


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Initiate


Tara Maya - 2010
    A DETERMINED GIRL Dindi can't do anything right, maybe because she spends more time dancing with pixies than doing her chores. Her clan hopes to marry her off and settle her down, but she dreams of becoming a Tavaedi, one of the powerful warrior-dancers whose secret magics are revealed only to those who pass a mysterious Test during the Initiation ceremony. The problem? No-one in Dindi's clan has ever passed the Test. Her grandmother died trying. But Dindi has a plan... AN EXILED WARRIOR Kavio is the most powerful warrior-dancer in Faearth, but when he is exiled from the tribehold for a crime he didn't commit, he decides to shed his old life. If roving cannibals and hexers don't kill him first, this is his chance to escape the shadow of his father's wars and his mother's curse. But when he rescues a young Initiate girl, he finds himself drawn into as deadly a plot as any he left behind. He must decide whether to walk away or fight for her... assuming she would even accept the help of an exile.

Everything I Thought I Knew


Shannon Takaoka - 2020
    But after she collapses during cross-country practice and is told that she needs a new heart, all her careful preparations are laid to waste. Eight months after her transplant, everything is different. Stuck in summer school with the underachievers, all she wants to do now is grab her surfboard and hit the waves—which is strange, because she wasn’t interested in surfing before her transplant. (It doesn’t hurt that her instructor, Kai, is seriously good-looking.) And that’s not all that’s strange. There’s also the vivid recurring nightmare about crashing a motorcycle in a tunnel and memories of people and places she doesn’t recognize. Is there something wrong with her head now, too, or is there another explanation for what she’s experiencing? As she searches for answers, and as her attraction to Kai intensifies, what she learns will lead her to question everything she thought she knew—about life, death, love, identity, and the true nature of reality.

The Monarch Papers: Flora & Fauna


C.J. Bernstein - 2018
    Now twenty-four, she’s just inherited his estate and her family’s business, Ackerly Green Publishing. Unaware of its strange and secret history, she sets out to resurrect the company, only to discover that she is at the center of a centuries-old literary conspiracy. MARTIN RANK is a journalist who’s haunted by his past and a book that no one else seems to remember. When news of Ackerly Green’s heir emerges, he is reluctantly drawn back into the world of the Mountaineers, a group dedicated to finding a fabled series of missing books they call the Lost Collection.Soon, Deirdre, Martin, and the Mountaineers all find themselves walking the same treacherous path, a path that might lead them to the impossible truth about the Lost Collection, but may cost them everything before they reach the end.The Monarch Papers is a thrilling two-volume fantasy adventure based on the groundbreaking interactive experience. Thousands of people from around the world joined forces to try and unravel a secret that some would die to discover and others would kill to keep. A secret, hidden for centuries, within the pages of a book.

Witchmarked


Aaron D. Schneider - 2020
    At what cost victory?Milo Volkohne, orphan, criminal, conscript, and unwilling warlock could tell you but you might not like the answer.It is 1936 and the Great War still rages on, with no armistice in 1918 when the Russian Empire crumbled in the fire and blood of stillborn revolution.The hellish no man's land has spread like a blight over Europe as grim, unyielding leaders promise a resolve of iron and no mercy, no peace, no hope.It would take a miracle to save humanity, but as Milo would tell you: be careful what you wish for.Plunging into a world of sorcery, treachery, and madness the world’s first wizard will bargain with monsters, human or otherwise, fight for his life, and dare to hope that he’s selling his soul for something worthwhile.But is any price too high to end the War to end all Wars?

In Darkness We Must Abide: The Complete First Season


Rhiannon Frater - 2013
    Yet, can she trust the mysterious Armando? For there is a powerful entity plotting to claim her when she reaches adulthood in order to fulfill an ancient prophecy, and her enemy has enveloped her in a web of deceit, casting doubt on all she believes to be true. Soon, she will have to fight not only to save those she loves, but also for her very soul.Rhiannon Frater delivers a chilling adventure once again with this multi-part epic serial with a dynamic cast, old school vampires, bloody action, a smoldering forbidden love, and a terrifying villain set against the backdrop of a modern day vampire war.

The Dragon Hunter and the Mage


V.R. Cardoso - 2016
    Both sons of the Empress, but only one of them the son of the Emperor. A decade ago, Fadan's powerful father tore the Empire in two by outlawing the use and practice of magic. Forbidden from seeing each other, Aric and Fadan defy the Emperor and wander the vast Imperial Citadel until one night, they stumble upon an ancient Manual of Magic. They are faced with a choice: take the book straight to the Emperor or see if one of them has the forbidden magical Talent. Their world is turned upside down and the half-brothers find themselves swept away as tragedy and conspiracy separate them, sending each to either end of the Empire. In a world of dark mages, massive creatures, and vengeful gods, one will train as a Dragon Hunter while the other taps into magical powers that could spell his execution. Dark forces are moving in the shadows and no one in the Empire is ready for what’s to come. Will Aric and Fadan survive to ever see each other again?

The Curse of the Bruel Coven


Sabrina Ramoth - 2016
    Then the untimely death of her mother reveals a family secret. She's adopted... and her real mom is a witch.The truth only complicates Vivienne's life further. Buried deep within her family’s history of magic is a deadly curse that has plagued them for generations.When her birth mom disappears, Vivienne must tap into her suppressed powers to save her long-lost mother — and herself. Can Vivienne become the witch she needs to be? Or will her newfound powers prove too much for her to handle? Only one thing is certain: She will soon learn that all magic comes at a price.

What Lies Inside


J.L. Myers - 2013
    A newfound, insatiable thirst for blood that leads her to drain the school quarterback is only the beginning; she’s horrified to discover that her family and best friend Kendrick have been harboring the secret all along. And is the strangely alluring boy who seems hell-bent on curbing her murderous, blood-filled desires a friend, or foe?To escape detection Amelia and her twin brother Dorian are forced to move to a new town, and the challenge of a new, exclusive high school where nearly every classmate smells like prey. Including the irresistible Ty, who seems hauntingly familiar, yet darkly menacing …Amelia’s disturbing dreams and entanglement in a web of forbidden romance render her increasingly powerless against the chilling lies and secrets of vampire power struggles. And, as she soon discovers, vampire politics mixed with outlawed love can be a lethal cocktail. Falling in love may just cost Amelia everything: her friends, her family...even her lifeMove over Twilight, True Blood and Underworld! JL Myers’ first book in the Blood Bound series will have you swooning for more! Warning - This book contains some language and sexual situations.YA/ Vampire/ Paranormal Fiction

The Third Eye of Jenny Crumb


Martina Dalton - 2013
    She’s smart, beautiful, and... normal. But, on the inside, she struggles to keep a dark secret from her friends and family. Jenny is psychic—and she fears that if people find out, she’ll be labeled as a loser and a freak. Jenny falls in love with the handsome new guy in school. But her visions are becoming jarringly intense and she is having trouble hiding her gift. Not only is she having premonitions about a creepy man with a knife, but she also learns a girl in her school has gone missing. Will her premonitions about the kidnapper put herself and the people she loves in danger as she tries to find the missing girl? Even if Jenny survives, her life will change forever.

Fireblood


Jeff Wheeler - 2013
    He believes the answer to ending the devastation lies in the Scourgelands. Yet, Tyrus’s first expedition into the cursed woods failed after being defeated by mysterious minions who stalked and killed most of his band. Now a prisoner in his own tower, Tyrus has summoned his nephew Annon—a Druidecht possessing innate magic called the fireblood—on the guise of finding a hidden treasure with which to purchase his twin sister Hettie’s freedom. But in reality, Tyrus is using his niece and nephew, and their magic, as an opportunity to escape and resume his desperate mission. And to aid them, he has enlisted the warrior-monk Paedrin—who is almost as green as the siblings when it comes to traveling these troubled lands. The trio is determined, and along the way they grow to trust each other—and new additions to the group—in order to accomplish their missions…whether or not those missions are one and the same. But the Arch-Rike—ruthless ruler of Kenatos—has learned of these plans, and has sent the fearsome Kishion to destroy all those that oppose him. Now Tyrus and his unwitting allies must face down not only the plague, but this new enemy—and fulfill their quest before a fresh horror is unleashed on the world

Chaos Awakens


Megg Jensen - 2017
    It shatters in an instant with the botched assassination of a human priest in the orc capital. Hell bent on revenge, the humans take up arms as the orc monarchy crumbles from outside interference. Now Tace, the unlucky assassin, is on the run. It's soon clear, however, that her mistake hasn't only precipitated a war. It's unleashed ancient powers, the stuff of legends and fireside tales—and not the cozy kind. Tace has always worked solo, but to save Doros, she'll need to assemble the unlikeliest allies. Together, they'll unravel the mysteries of the orcs' cult of death, and in the process, Tace will come to question everything she's ever believed. Only one thing is certain: a great destiny awaits her—if she can live long enough to meet it. Chaos Awakens is an epic fantasy spanning multiple continents where orcs, humans, elves, fauns, dwarves, and dragons fight for dominance.

The Survivors (Life After War Book 1)


L.A. White - 2020
    They’re running out of food and water; infighting is rampant, and they have too many enemies to reclaim their countries alone. They have to bring the rest of the descendants to their side. The easiest way to accomplish that has always been to threaten the kids.Adrian has a rare gift that lets him draw in other magic users and charm them. He is a master at digging into the soul to repair the damage. After the apocalypse, Adrian forms Safe Haven Refugee Camp and creates a dream that even his secrets can’t crush.Angela blazes a path across the broken country to find her son after the war, using her gifts. The witch attracts traumatic threats that threaten everyone and trigger evolutions to levels of power that haven’t existed in centuries.Samantha escapes captivity and makes her way to the only place left in America where she’ll be protected. By the time she learns Adrian’s secret, Safe Haven has become her home. The storm tracker will do anything to protect her new place in the post-apocalyptic world.Marc is a tall, dark, handsome Marine who only cares about honor and his broken heart. Finding out he made a baby brings the military loner to Safe Haven in hopes of a second chance with his past. Sparks fly when he discovers Adrian’s secret, causing a battle for the love of a woman and leadership of the powerful camp.Nature is a dangerous foe that tries to push humanity over the brink of extinction with eruptions, earthquakes, disease, animal attacks, and harsh weather. Mother Nature fears the descendants will serve their true purpose and save the world that she is trying to bury under the ashes. Nature wants the plague of humans gone, and she’ll go to any lengths to accomplish that goal.She’ll even challenge the Creator for it.Life After War is a dark fantasy series that chronicles the survival of humanity when a global nuclear war splits the remaining populations and pits them against each other in an epic battle for control of everything. Book One brings the survivors together and starts a chain reaction that will either save the world or finish destroying it.*Not suitable for those under 18.

His Taste Box Set


B.B. Hamel - 2019
    If you like dark plots with lots of steam, especially ones that connect in a small town, then this collection is for you! No cliffhangers, absolutely no cheating, and of course each book features an HEA! Read the blurbs down below and happy reading. His Taste I got one taste of him and now I can’t stop. I know I should stay away from Case Hammett. He’s notorious for a reason: handsome face, muscular body, enough money to own the entire town. The confident and cocky bastard is totally all-wrong for me, and I should be very afraid. But I take a job cleaning his house to help support my sick mother against my better judgement. And I was right to be nervous: he loves getting me down on all fours to scrub his floor. He’s always teasing, his hands on my skin, his cocky grin pushing my limits. Things seem fine on the surface, but there’s a darkness in his house that I can’t escape. But when his hands brush against my skin, I don’t care about anything else. I just need more of his taste, more of his body. He corners me in his bedroom and asks a simple question: Do you want me to take care of you? I’m terrified, but I think the answer is yes. If I can’t escape, I might not leave this house ever again. His Demand I’m all about trying new things. Especially losing my virginity. I came to Pine Grove looking for a new start. Instead, I found Dawson Spark. He’s the kind of man I used to stay far away from. Handsome, cocky, and clearly rich, I can’t pretend like I’m not intimidated when he invites me back to his house. But I’m still a virgin. I’ve never done anything like this before. Now I know why people can get addicted in love. I know this won’t be a one-time thing. I’m a part of his world now, and Dawson demands a lot more than I ever thought I had. Giving him my virginity was the easy part. It’s giving him everything else that’s going to be hard… His Secret It’s my job to keep her safe. But I want something in return. I’m the Chief and Police and I get what I want. At least until I find Emma knee-deep in trouble. Those gorgeous eyes, perfect hair, pouty lips. She makes a growl slip from my throat and I can’t stop myself before I offer her my protection. There’s a catch, of course. I’ll keep her safe, but she better repay me over, and over, and over again. My hands on her hips, pulling her close against my body, I’ll whisper in her ear. You want safety? I want you. I can't help myself. I'm falling for this girl, harder than I ever imagined. She’s my new girl, and she'll get whatever she wants and much more. His Touch Don't be afraid. Let him touch it. My life is one disaster after another. Until the man that killed my father takes me as his own. I should hate Rowan more than anything. But my father was abusive and I have nowhere left to run. Now I’m stuck with this beautiful monster.

Eldorado


Jay Allan Storey - 2013
    Richard has to make the transformation from bookish nerd to street-smart warrior to survive, when he jumps the Food Train to the disintegrating wasteland that was once suburbia in a desperate search for Danny and his dog, Zonk.Branded a criminal by a community of outcasts and condemned to death, Richard is rescued by streetwise Carrie, who joins in his search. As they trek across the remnants of civilization, facing criminal gangs, renegade militias, and the hardships of the road, their friendship evolves into something more.The trail finally unwinds at a deserted complex in the remotest corner of the sprawling suburbs. The incredible secret they uncover there will alter their lives and their world forever.

Rite of Rejection


Sarah Negovetich - 2014
    A fancy ball, eligible bachelors, and her debut as an official member of society. Instead, the Machine rejects Rebecca. Labeled as a future criminal, she's shipped off to a life sentence in a lawless penal colony.A life behind barbed-wire fences with the world's most dangerous people terrifies Rebecca. She reluctantly joins a band of misfit teens in a risky escape plan, complete with an accidental fiancé she's almost certain she can learn to love.But freedom comes with a price. To escape a doomed future and prove her innocence, Rebecca must embrace the criminal within.