Book picks similar to
Awakening by Darren D. Lee


fantasy
high-fantasy
male-protagonist
calibre

The Gift of Magic


P.J. Sobol - 2014
    His un-extraordinary life is turned upside down as rival factions of magicians seek to gain control over his new-found gift. Escaping from life-threatening dangers, Alex quickly realises there is more to being a magician than he thought. With the help of the Order, a small group dedicated to upholding the Laws of Light, Alex learns to control his power and fights to prevent an ancient darkness from returning and destroying our world.

Iron Edge


P.S. Power - 2016
     George Elder is a man torn between two worlds. In one, he’s a hard-working auto mechanic and wounded war veteran with a mysterious past. In the other he’s a young Weapons Master, just starting out in life. The problem is that he doesn’t know which is real. If either of them actually is. Regardless, if his home in either world is going to survive, George is going to have to become something that he’s never tried to be in either life. A hero.

The Becoming


William D. Latoria - 2012
    At sixteen-years-old, he knows only rudimentary spells, mostly for performing work, none of the power he seeks. He seeks more power and responsibility from his mentor and renowned magician Isidor. Follow along the beginning of Tartum’s incredible journey as he discovers his fate.

Crystal Beach


Tom Larcombe - 2014
    So he's making it up as he goes along. An old flame has contacted him looking for a place to go. She teaches at the only school for wizards on the continent and took responsibility for several of the students when the school was evacuated. The country is falling apart, the Board's still punishing him for actions taken in his teens, and now they're showing a renewed unhealthy interest in him. Michael needs to be able to offer a safe haven to Rynn and the students, but he can't bring himself to ignore the problems of those around him, either. There are always more things to do than time to do them in and, of course, a man with a gun can pose a serious problem, even to a wizard.

Healer's Ruin


Chris O'Mara - 2015
    As the Ten Plains King lays siege to the mysterious kingdom of the Riln, the Healer realises that if he is to survive, he has to think and fight like a soldier. But Chalos isn't a soldier. He doesn't even own a sword. To make matters worse, the famed Wielder of Aphazail, a mage of extraordinary power, has come to the aid of the Riln... and is slaughtering the invaders in droves. Empires clash, gods walk, kingdoms tremble and sorcery carves a bright and blazing path across an ancient and mysterious land... a path that leads to HEALER'S RUIN.

Necro Mage


Robyn Wideman - 2019
    Lady Avera tasks Kiana Clairmont with a quest to see if Quinton can be brought back to life by harnessing the powers of a necromance. The problem is there are no necromancers in Solotine. Kiana must embark on a dangerous journey to take Quinton's body to find a necromance, but new enemies will stop at nothing to prevent her from bringing Quinton back to life. STONEBLOOD SAGA Book 6.5 This is a 30,000 word sword and sorcery Novella filled with action, adventure, and magic.

If Crows Know Best (Mage of Merced, #1)


Aimee Gross - 2014
    In the span of one day, Judian goes from the burden of farm chores to a crushing responsibility for the lives of his family. With his father and brother gone to war, he must keep the others safe and evade the enemy. If only he can trust the guides which appear, seemingly unbidden, he may succeed. Yet, he has so much to learn, and so little time. He struggles to keep to the fringes of the conflict, but the magic he discovers draws him deeper, toward the truth of the war. Mages from a distant land are driving the enemy forces. To what end? Follow Judian as he comes of age in a world of portents and spellcasting. Though life as a farm boy left him longing for more adventure, he must be careful with his wishes during the fateful year he becomes a man.

Attack of the Fire Dragons


Amma Lee - 2015
    Isamu has known Seiko since they were toddlers. They don’t remember a time when they didn’t know each other. They are the best of friends. Seiko takes care of Isamu and he takes care of her too. You can travel with Isamu and Seiko as they have amazing adventures and meet up with the dragons of fire, water, and earth. Some of the dragons are friendly and some are not! In their first adventure, The Attack of the Fire Dragons, they meet the evil Sultan and his lead fire dragon, Fuego. Sultan has destroyed their village and kidnapped their parents. He wants the villagers to build a castle in his honor. The fire dragons have left clues on their path and Isamu and Seiko follow the clues to find the island where Sultan has their parents imprisoned. With the help of Luna the magical water dragon, they find a unique way to battle and overpower the evil villain Sultan. Will they rescue their parents in time? You will find out if you read their story.

The Dark Path


James M. Bowers - 2012
    Raised by a master assassin then barely escaping with his life after a betrayal by his own guild, he finds himself with a new mission and a chance to start a new life in a far away land. Will he survive this new school of magic? Can he, with the help of some new friends, find a way to heal from the past? Will this place prove to be too much of a challenge for this boy, this weapon?

Bard's Exile


Carolyn Gross - 2016
    He has also gained exceptional notoriety for his fighting skills—despite being born blind. One night while out with his jet-black mongrel, Bright, he cheats a large brute named Sellard, a member of a corrupt aristocratic family. The captain of the king’s guard advises Marek to leave town before things escalate. But as he is saying good-bye to his surrogate mother, he is promptly captured. Marek now faces certain death, as he stands accused of magic before the Taken, silent warriors who see into a person’s soul. Meanwhile, Princess Selena, reluctantly betrothed to Sellard, schemes to flee from the city with the unexpected help of Bright. As Marek heads for the gallows, Selena unwittingly helps him escape, and together they race toward the wilds until Selena is forced to give herself up to save innocent lives. To rescue Selena, Marek must come to terms with shocking revelations about his past, present, and future. For fans of David Eddings, Mongrel Sight is a compelling fantasy adventure about the nature of destiny.

The Sealed Citadel


Edward W. Robertson - 2019
     Despite his lowly status, Cally's chosen by the Master of the Order to join a delegation to see their allies the Lannovians. The meeting will be historic: sixty years ago, the Order's enemies attacked them with a host of demons, forcing the Order to trap the monsters inside their own citadel and seal it shut with impenetrable wards. The trick worked so well the Order hasn't been able to get it back open since. But the Lannovians may have just discovered a way. As the meet unfolds, the Order's day of joy turns into a massacre. Cally and a grim soldier named Rowe are the only two to make it out of the ambush alive. As they flee into the wilds, they uncover a conspiracy that threatens to destroy everything Cally holds dear—but in order to stop it, he may have to betray every one of the Order's beliefs.

Branded


Rob Cornell - 2016
    With control over the elements, he can burn through bounties almost as fast as the Ministry can issue them—much to the chagrin of the Motor City’s other hunters. But after a group of vampires taints him with their blood in an effort to turn him, collecting bounties is the least of his worries. News of Sebastian’s vampire infection spreads through the city like Hellfire. Now he has a contract on his own head, and his rivals see an opportunity to take out their biggest competition. He can expend magical energy to keep the infection from blazing through him, but fending off constant attacks at the same time requires more power than even he can muster. Weakening daily and hunted wherever he goes, Sebastian scrambles to find a cure—before this fight for his life leaves him undead.

The Sword


Isaac Hooke - 2019
    Envied by men. Craved by women. The #1 Harem Fantasy Adventure For Men: #1 bestseller in Epic Fantasy #1 bestseller in Metaphysical Fantasy #1 bestseller in Sword & Sorcery Fantasy eBooks Kaeden is a nomad who lives life on his own terms. He prefers the unbounded steppe over a cramped city, and allegiance to the sword over fealty to a king. When he does make the occasional foray into civilization, it is to procure cold mead, a hot bath, and a good woman. The latter preferably for an hour or less. Life is great, until his wanderings bring him to a forest inhabited by nightmares. There, trapped beneath those lightless eaves, he is forced to ally with a mysterious woman whose cunning and beauty could prove to be his downfall. Either way, one thing is certain: if he is to die, then he will do so covered in the blood of his enemies. Note: this book contains violent scenes, unconventional thinking, and harem elements. Read more novels by USA Today bestselling author, Isaac Hooke. Monster Girl Series: 1. Breaker 2. Conqueror 3. Defiler 4. Emperor 5. Fighter Battle Harem Series: 1. Battle Harem 2. Battle Harem 2 3. Battle Harem 3 Star Warrior Series: 1. Star Warrior 2. Bender of Worlds 3. He Who Crosses Death 4. Doom Wielder The Forever Gate Series: 1. The Dream 2. A Second Chance 3. The Mirror Breaks 4. They Have Wakened Death 5. I Have Seen Forever 6. Rebirth 7. Walls of Steel 8. The Pendulum Swings 9. The Last Stand

The Queen's Vow (The Legend of Hooper's Dragons Book 2)


Gary J. Darby - 2016
    Though Vay, the Evil One tastes defeat, her rage and wrath only increases. She thirsts for revenge and vows to find Hooper, the Gem Guardian and Golden Wind to reclaim the golden dragon, and deal death to Hooper for daring to challenge her. The quest continues in book two, Queen’s Vow, as the company seeks a safe haven from Vay’s wrath. But there is no sanctuary. They are the hunted, the pursued. Outcast from all they know, they feel the heavy weight of the condemned just waiting for Death to write the last sentence in their book of life. As the company flees from Vay’s tempest, even Hooper has to question whether one dragon is worth the pain and suffering. Indeed, is a dragon worth dying for, or for that matter, is there ever any one thing worth the ultimate price? For Hooper, it may well be the question that decides his ultimate fate.

To Cast the First Spell


John A. Buttrick - 2008
    But the simple life he hopes for is changed forever when he inadvertently casts a spell so powerful it draws the attention of the Grand Maestro of Aakadon and the dark Maestro Tarin Conn. The two powerful foes sense a change in the balance of power and both of them intend for it to be in their favor. Daniel wants nothing to do with either faction but must learn to master his newly discovered potential before the forces sent looking for him destroy his family and friends and every person living in the remote village of Bashierwood. But to master his potential he must learn from an Accomplished. To save the village he must accept help from Talenteds sent by Efferin Tames, or surrender to Tarin Conn. To seize control of his life he must set his priorities and arrange his chores accordingly.