Book picks similar to
The Curse of the Witch-Queen by Paula Volsky
fantasy
sci-fi
fantasy-science-fiction
sci-fi-fantasy
Deryni Rising
Katherine Kurtz - 1970
To be Deryni in a land ruled by the all-powerful Church is to be branded an outcast. But now, young Prince Kelson is about to assume the throne after the mysterious death of his father. He must be told of his magical heritage. For his legacy is being challenged by a woman who does not hesitate to lay full claim to her Deryni powers. And to face her in magical combat, Kelson must learn a lifetime’s worth of magic in a few short days.If he loses, he dies as his father did. And if he wins, he is King—but all the world will know that he is also Deryni…
Master of the Five Magics
Lyndon Hardy - 1980
As such, he had no right to aspire to the hand of the fair lady, Queen Vendora, not even when he saved her during the siege of her frontier castle. But aspire he did.Contains additional chapters, glossary, and author's afterword.
Her Majesty's Wizard
Christopher Stasheff - 1986
Imprisoned by evil sorcerer Malingo, Matt tries for a light, gets dragon Stegoman, drunk on fire, in need of dentist. They rescue Princess Alisande, rightful ruler, and fight to restore her kingdom with helpful Sir Guy, lust witch Sayeesa and werewolf priest Brunel.
Magician: Apprentice
Raymond E. Feist - 1982
His courage won him a place at court and the heart of a lovely Princess, but he was ill at ease with normal wizardry. Yet his strange magic may save two worlds from dark beings who opened spacetime to renew the age-old battle between Order and Chaos.
Newton's Cannon
Greg Keyes - 1998
. .1681: When Sir Isaac Newton turns his restless mind to the ancient art of alchemy, he unleashes Philosopher's Mercury, a primal source of matter and a key to manipulating the four elements of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. Now, as France and England battle for its control, Louis XIV calls for a new weapon--a mysterious device known only as Newton's Cannon.Half a world away, a young apprentice named Benjamin Franklin stumbles across a dangerous secret. Pursued by a deadly enemy--half scientist, half sorcerer--Ben makes his fugitive way to England. Only Newton himself can help him now. But who will help Sir Isaac? For he was not the first to unleash the Philosopher's Mercury. Others were there before him. Creatures as scornful of science as they are of mankind. And burning to be rid of both . . .
Yarrow
Charles de Lint - 1986
But the secret that her fans didn't know was that her Otherworld was no fantasy. Then, one night, a thief stole her dreams. Since then, she's been trapped in the everyday. And the Others are coming to find her...Yarrow
The Summer Dragon
Todd Lockwood - 2016
As she comes of age, she anticipates a dragon of her own to add to the stable of breeding parents. Her peaceful life is shattered when the Summer Dragon—one of the rare and mythical High Dragons—makes an appearance in her quiet valley. Political factions vie for control of the implied message, threatening her aspirations, her aerie, her entire way of life.The bond between dragons and their riders is deep and life-long, and Maia’s desire for a dragon of her own to train, ride, fly, and love drives her to take a risk that puts her life at stake. She is swept into an adventure that pits her against the deathless Horrors, thralls of the enemy, and a faceless creature drawn from her fear. In her fight to preserve everything she knows and loves, she exposes a conspiracy, unearths an ancient civilization, and challenges her understanding of her world—and of herself.
The Wall at the Edge of the World
Jim Aikin - 1993
It is an efficient society, peaceful and pure. The Cleansings are sure of that.Danlo thinks bad thoughts sometimes, about his wife, and the Cleansings....but he pushes them away. He must survive here, for outside the walls lurks nothing but chaos and radiation and danger.Now, something incredible has happened. And Danlo Ree has discovered that there is something else outside the walls...Life.
Angel with the Sword
C.J. Cherryh - 1985
Against her better judgment, Altair Jones, 17, rescues an unconscious man from a canal near her poleboat. She is fascinated by Mondragon's good looks and elegant ways and begins to fall in love with him. Even though she knows there is no future for a water rat like herself with such a man, she decides to watch over him and rescue him from his enemies; enemies who turn out to be the most powerful people in the upper city. Cherryh is well known for her skill at creating complex and believable societies and worlds, as is shown by this book's 40-page appendix of maps and essays that cover everything from Merovingen's history to its monetary system. This meticulous background work shows up in the reality of her descriptions of the city, through which readers can almost feel the rotting dampness of the canals. The plot has some gaps, it is never completely clear why Mondragon was being pursued but the exciting boat chases and fights with various malefactors keep the story moving along at a fast pace. Altair is a girl-woman, half worldly-wise, half naive, but full of bravery and honesty, who should appeal to teenage SF fans. Betsy Shorb, PGCMLS, Md.
Lord Foul's Bane
Stephen R. Donaldson - 1977
He had been sick; now he seemed better than ever before. Through no fault of his own, he had been outcast, unclean, a pariah. Now he was regarded as a reincarnation of the Land's greatest hero--Berek Halfhand--armed with the mystic power of White Gold. That power alone could protect the Lords of the Land from the ancient evil of Despiser, Lord Foul. Only...Covenant had no idea of how the power could be used!Thus begins one of the most remarkable epic fantasies ever written...
Fools Errant
Matthew Hughes - 2001
So begins Filidor's reluctant odyssey through peculiar provinces peopled with odious denizens, including such road killers as mutant rodents, alien ants, and a vengeful thamaturge. Now in terra incognito, his narrow conception of life shaken to the extreme, Filidor will strive to say and do the right things...and grow up in the process.
Sword And Sorceress XVIII
Marion Zimmer BradleyLawrence Watt-Evans - 2001
PaxsonLessons Learned · Kati Doughery-CarthumKendat’s Ax · Jan CombsThe Tower of Song · Howard HolmanThe Needed Stone · Denise Lopes HealdArmageddon · Lisa S. SilverthorneThe Land of Graves · Dave SmedsLight · Susan Urbanek LinvilleIn the Sacred Places of the Earth · Dorothy J. HeydtThe Glass Sword · Richard CorwinBed of Roses · Elisabeth WatersSword of Peace · Lucy Cohen SchmeidlerThe Fall of the Kingdom · Mary Soon LeeArms and the Woman · Lawrence Watt-EvansThe Stone Wives · Michael Chesley JohnsonTiger’s Eye · India EdghillRaven-Wings on the Snow · Pauline J. AlamaLittle Rogue Riding Hood · Rosemary EdghillThe Queen in Yellow · Gerald PerkinsMagic Threads · Pete D. Manison
Shadow Moon
George Lucas - 1995
An ancient prophecy reveals one hope: a savior princess who will ascend to the throne when the time is right. But first, a Nelwyn wanderer must face forces of unimaginable malevolence and dangerous, forbidden rites of necromancy to bring back a powerful warrior from soulless sleep.