Book picks similar to
Bitter Sky by Tim Stretton
spfbo7
steam-punk
genre-fantasy
self-published
Nimbus: A Steampunk Novel (Part One)
Austin King - 2012
(The collected omnibus edition of all four parts of NIMBUS is also available.) --Seedy corporations and airship factions, demons and rogues, zealots and thieves…an epic tale of power, greed, and corruption.Jude Finley is a new recruit aboard the Gangly Dirigible, an airship that extracts water from rainclouds. Having only lived above the Skyline for a year, Jude is still getting used to the way things work in the world above the clouds. While working aboard the airship, Jude and his friends uncover a secret which may or may not help them against a growing uprising that could spell doom for everyone on the planet. Meanwhile, Demetrius Rucca, wheelchair-bound son of a prominent religious leader, begins recruiting followers for his own subversive cause. As allegiances are sworn to him and his followers grow, he begins to discover the new powers that lie within him. This power could be the salvation Demetrius is looking for–or it could be the destruction of the known world.ABOUT THE AUTHORS:AUSTIN KING has written plays, poems, novels, and short fiction, but he spends most of his time making sure his credentials sound more impressive than they really are.B.J. Keeton is a writer, teacher, and runner. When he isn't trying to think of a way to trick Fox into putting Firefly back on the air, he is either writing science fiction, watching an obscene amount of genre television, or looking for new ways to integrate fitness into his geektastic lifestyle.
Shanghai Sparrow
Gaie Sebold - 2014
Now she is a street urchin in a London where brutal poverty and glittering new inventions exist side by side, living as a thief and con-artist under the wing of the formidable Ma Pether.Caught in an act of deception, Eveline is faced with Mr Holmforth, a gentleman in the service of Her Majesty’s Government, who offers her a stark choice. Transportation, or an education – and utter commitment to Her Majesty’s Service - at Madam Cairngrim’s school for female spies. The school’s regime is harsh. Eveline has already learned harder lessons. She plans to take advantage of everything they can teach her, then go her own way.But in the fury of the Opium Wars, the British Empire is about to make a devil’s bargain. Eveline’s choices will change the future of her world, and reveal the truth about the death of her sister Charlotte.Shanghai Sparrow is set in an alternative England and China. It contains Formidable Devices, Fay, Etheric Science, Espionage, Opium, Murder and Bartitsu and may not be suitable for those of a delicate disposition.
Djinn Tamer: Starter
Derek Alan Siddoway - 2019
Train. Battle.
Fans of Pokémon, Digimon, and Monster Rancher will love this monster-battling take on the GameLit genre!
Jackson Hunt wants nothing more than to be a professional monster tamer — skilled trainers who raise and battle magical creatures called djinn. He longs for the day when he comes of age and can leave home to pursue his dreams of taming djinn. Unfortunately for Jackson, dreams and reality don’t always coincide. To help his grandmother make ends meet, Jackson spends his days doing manual labor on a breeder’s ranch — just about as far removed from the bright lights and roaring crowds of the (Djinn Fighting League) as it gets. But no matter how hard Jackson and his grandma try, it’s never enough. Facing bank foreclosure, Jackson is desperate to save his home but has no idea how… until he discovers a young, untrained djinn left behind for him by his dead mother. As time runs out, Jackson works tirelessly to raise and develop a bond with his djinn. But monster taming isn’t as easy as the pros make it look. Along the way, Jackson and his friends will delve into the shady world of underground fighting, experience the agony of defeat and learn what it takes to be a true monster tamer. Will Jackson and his djinn level up fast enough or is his dream destined to die before it even truly begins?
Moving Targets
C.L. Werner - 2013
Amid the last refugees fleeing the advance, the duo is caught up in an assignment that will prove to be either their salvation or undoing.From the stinking mists of the Bloodsmeath Marsh to the back alleys of Five Fingers, Taryn & Rutger will do everything in their power to survive a game of Moving Targets.
Mage Catalyst
Christopher George - 2015
It wasn't until he met Renee that he realized that he was something different - something dangerous. He is a Mage. Led into a world of corruption and power Devon soon learns that there is always a price for power.
Olde Robin Hood
Kate Danley - 2018
Outlaw. Hero. Exiled for an unjust crime and forced to use whatever means necessary to survive, a figure of hope emerges from Sherwood Forest. But what most people know about Robin Hood (the enemy of Prince John and nobleman loyal to King Richard) was an invention of a playwright nearly three hundred years after Robin Hood died. However, there are older stories about the real Robin Hood. USA Today bestselling author Kate Danley weaves the original 13th century ballads, Robin Hood traditions passed down through ancient pagan rites, and historical evidence together into a swashbuckling epic fantasy. Enter a world of adventure and chivalry as you discover the man behind the myth, as you meet the Olde Robin Hood.
The Shadows of Dust
Alec Hutson - 2021
Some of these adventurers are heroes. Some are rogues. And some just want to return from the void with their bodies and minds unbroken . . .Kerin thon Talisien is the heir to a legendary name. When he was a young boy, his grandfather swooped down from the stars and rescued him from the slums of his homeworld. But with the death of the infamous old streamsurfer, Kerin and his crew have fallen on hard times, exiled from the Starfarers Guild and forced to take on risky contracts in the shadowy margins of the stellar tributary. A strange encounter in a glimmer den offers a chance at redemption and glory . . . but the stakes are high, with the fate of the Known potentially hanging in the balance.
Quick Change Volume 2: Spire
C.T. O'Leary - 2020
While Seth is mostly used to life in the land of Morgenheim, he’s struggling with the responsibilities that come with being a high level member in the guild.While completing a quest as a favor to his friend Pahan, Seth inadvertently catches the attention of Djinia, goddess of adventurers, and is given a seemingly impossible quest that will require the help of the Adventurers’ Guild and their primary rivals, the Transportation Guild.When the two groups aren’t sabotaging each other, their combined might overcomes numerous dungeons with surprising ease… That is until they catch sight of a thin spire stretching high into the sky at the center of a mysterious desert.Note: This novel contains game-like elements similar to those found in tabletop RPGs or MMO videogames, commonly referred to as litRPG or gamelit.
Cry of the Newborn
James Barclay - 2005
Its Advocate, Herine Del Aglios, knows that she presides over the greatest civilisation in history. But she wants more. And in Estorea's recently conquered territories dissent is brewing. Forced to fight old friends and neighbours in the cause of the ever-growing Conquord, they face brutal choices and savage demands for money and men to be fed into Estorea's wars - demands made by Paul Jhered, head of the Gatherers and the iron hand of the Advocate. With Jhered by her side, Herine believes that nothing can go wrong. Until a disastrous and bloody reversal in the war to overrun the Kingdom of Tsard puts Estorea's armies on the back foot and has Tsardon troops flooding into the Conquord. As the empire trembles, far from the war four unique children are discovering their powers. They are the first true Ascendants, in touch with the elements, able to shape the world. An empire descending into war is about to discover the wonder and terror of magic...
Black Cross
J.P. Ashman - 2015
With Sergeant Falchion unable to forgive himself for aiding the wizard, and desperate factions taking advantage of the devastating aftermath, Falchion embarks on an arduous quest alongside friends and strangers alike. However, even if their attempt to seek aid is successful and the city is saved, they risk revealing a secret that threatens much more than Wesson alone. From a fantasy world not too dissimilar to our own dark and bloody histories, the beginning of an epic tale is told. Incredible magic is unleashed, allies become enemies; unlikely friendships are forged, and a foul plot is discovered that will shatter the long lasting peace of Altoln and her allies, plunging them into a gritty, brutal conflict that falls far from the fluffy fairytales of old.
Delvers LLC: Surviving Ludus
Blaise Corvin - 2019
Ludus is a dangerous fantasy world from the series Delvers LLC and Nora Hazard. Surviving Ludus can be enjoyed by fans of Delvers LLC, or any readers who enjoy sword and sorcery fantasy, dungeon exploration, survival, portal fantasy, magic-on-monster violence, or touching moments of love and honor. *** Blaise Corvin - "Missing in Action" A story about redemption, family, and loyalty. This story will directly tie into the Delvers LLC storyline, and contains a major reveal for a Delvers LLC main character. Bastian Knight - "Friends and Enemies" With a little bit of luck, could an ordinary guy survive on Ludus? What if he meets the wrong sort of people? Then again, what if he meets real friends? Raymond Johnson - "A Guiding Hand" Everything Peacehatchet ever cared about has been ripped from him. Does an ork have a soul? Jon Svenson - "Beyond the Village Borders" Poor villagers can become adventurers too. Some people on Ludus fall into this lifestyle, but some search for it. Cory Gaffner - "Enemy Mine" When a World War II American soldier and a German soldier are transported to Ludus at the same time, will they be able to repay a debt, or kill each other first? Daylan Ethridge - "Just Another Life on Ludus" During an attack on Mensk by demons and cultists, many will lose their lives, but some will step up to become heroes. Will an orphan girl defending younger children be a victim, or a shield for the helpless? Austin Eberle - "Engineering Ludus" A wide variety of people have been transported to Ludus over the last thousand years. Will an engineering student have any advantage? Is it possible to thrive on Ludus through using brains, not brawn?
The Girl Who Talks to Ashes
Rachel Rener - 2021
Every time Lilah's eyes glaze over, terrible things happen: flowers shrivel, food goes to rot - even Willow's long, auburn hair turns stark white. But it's the death of the family cat that becomes the last straw; in the middle of the night, Willow and her mother dump the infant at the fire station two towns over – and are never heard from again. The next morning, Chief Stanley Quinn takes Lilah home and cares for the toddler as best as he can. With medication, her epilepsy remains under control... For the most part.But as a teenager, Lilah isn't always keen on taking her pills, and when she sneaks away to a rock concert with the cutest boy in school, something terrible happens, landing both of them in the hospital. After Stanley breaks down and confesses everything to his adopted daughter, she decides to track down the young girl who gave her up sixteen years ago; the young girl who never made it home that night… The young girl who is now presumed to be dead. Soon, Lilah's quest to find her birth mother becomes a quest to solve a sixteen-year-old missing persons case. She has everything she needs to find her – she just needs to learn how to control her peculiar ‘gift’ before she kills someone.Again. *"The Girl Who Talks To Ashes is one of the most ingenious books I have ever read. [It's] the perfect creepy read for the season in the form of one of the most unique stories I've ever come across." - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Laura Dragonchild, The Magic Book Corner"This book makes you feel like you are on a journey of self-discovery, and that the journey matters. I was blown away! " - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sara Lawson, Professional Editor"I enjoyed every minute of this book and I can’t recommend it enough." - V. Ash, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads review"Creepy, suspenseful, genuine, goosebump-inducing, sweet, charming, raw - it is all of these things and more. This is going on my list of absolute favorite books of all time!" - R. Hastings, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads review"I would highly recommend this book to everyone who appreciates a little 'magic' and a touch of darkness." - M. Reubzaet, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads review
Stoneblood Saga: Books 1-6
Robyn Wideman - 2018
When tragedy strikes, a young boy must become a warrior To escape a perilous royal life, Soron and Velaina disappear to the small village of Elderwood, a magicless kingdom, to raise their son in secret. But when their child Nathan begins to show special powers, they realize they are no longer safe. Soon they’ll have to reveal their secrets to Nathan. However, before they can tell Nathan the truth, a cruel and arrogant Duke attacks and kills most of the people in their small village, including Nathan’s parents. Nathan finds himself lost and alone with his heart set on revenge. With the help of his Uncle Verin, he continues the training his father started. But the Duke isn’t finished. He’s returned to kill the survivors, especially Nathan, to hide his crimes from the world. Unable to locate Nathan, the Duke kidnaps Nathan’s best friends to lure Nathan to him. Anger and fear consume Nathan and the strong emotions ignite powerful magic within him. Using his new powers, Nathan is able to hunt down the Duke, but he’s in a race against time. if he can’t catch them soon he’ll lose his chance at revenge and more importantly, he’ll lose the people he loves. Books included:Son of SoronMissing MageSiege of PailtarDark TidingsTreachery in TarnsteadThe Mad King