Book picks similar to
Harvard Heart of Gold by Dustin Aguilar


fantasy
youth-fiction
adventure
coming-of-age

TO FORGE A KING: The Chronicles Of Ellorhim


Thomas Adams - 2019
    This is an exciting new coming of age story with detailed world building and gritty action and fight scenes. The backstory has Norse or Scandinavian cultural and spiritual influences and overtones. His past was lost, only faded dreams and echoes of happier times remained. Sometimes he had a flash, a quick fleeting glimpse of a better place with friends, warmth and cheer below a silver sun in a twilight land. Those were rare though. Now, there is only the harsh brutal present, sweat stinging the eye and blood flowing from cracked bruised knuckles, a sword in his filthy callused hand and the hoarse shouts of the Sword Masters ringing in his ears. Exhaustion paints his partner's face like cheap mask. No doubt his own face looks just as bad. It is a never ending struggle, up before the sun, running, jumping, lifting and fighting, each day full of pain and injury. Training, always training, His country, Vesfalruk, needs warriors to defend their land and homes. And, this place makes the best warriors. There are none better with sword or ax in all the world. But there is a power and a sense of belonging in this place, this ancient Guild Hall and fortress lying in the shadow of the Eastern White Mountains. Being here comforts him in ways he does not understand and the cold winter winds are somehow less chill. His sword calls and he takes it up and trots out into the yard. Vesfalruk is a besieged place, an isolated mountainous land that has struggled against numerous foes and invaders, the Erhand. It is a land with a violent and bloody history and a kingdom without a king. There has been no king for over two-hundred years and relative peace, if it can be called that, has been the norm for most of that time. So trade flourishes, peace reigns and ancient traditions are openly questioned and sometimes mocked. Vesfalruk warriors are still renowned throughout Ellorhim and the Guild Halls continue to train them, against a rising popular opinion. Old enemies are stirring again, their armies gather, swelling and massing for another round of invasion and conquest. And, that is fine with him and it if the same for those he has grown up with in this Guild Hall. Let them come again. We will be ready. He vows this, to himself and to others.

Ranger's Apprentice


Books LLC - 2010
    Chapters: Ranger's Apprentice Books, Ranger's Apprentice Characters, List of Characters in Ranger's Apprentice, the Ruins of Gorlan, Oakleaf Bearers, Erak's Ransom, the Icebound Land, the Sorcerer in the North, the Kings of Clonmel, the Siege of Macindaw, the Burning Bridge, Will Treaty, Halt, Halt's Peril. Excerpt: Ranger's Apprentice is the title of a series of fantasy novels written by Australian author John Flanagan. The first book in the series, titled The Ruins of Gorlan, was released in Australia on 1 November 2004 and in the United States on 16 June 2005. So far, nine books have been released in Australia and New Zealand, with other countries including the United States and United Kingdom following behind. The series follows the adventures of Will, an orphan who is taken as an apprentice Ranger, as he strives to keep the Kingdom of Araluen safe from invaders, traitors and threats. He is joined on his adventures by his mentor Halt and his best friend Horace among others. The series has been sold to over 20 countries and has sold over 2 million copies worldwide. Will was an apprentice throughout the books The Ruins of Gorlan, The Burning Bridge, The Icebound Land, Oakleaf Bearers and Erak's Ransom. The first four books told the story of Will at his first two years as an apprentice while Erak's Ransom told about Will's final mission as an apprentice. Will grew up as as orphan in Castle Redmont by the charity of Baron Arald. The orphans there are educated and given food. When the orphans turn 15, they will become an apprentice to a craft of their choice. However, if they are not chosen, the child is sent to help grow crops. When the day comes for Will, no one is willing to accept him as an apprentice until the Ranger Halt gave the Baron Arald a p... More: http://booksllc.net/?id=5750241

The Knights of Dragonwatch


Eric T. Knight - 2020
    The only ones who could have opposed him are the Knights of Dragonwatch, an ancient order created to defend the world against the Dragon Queen, and they are no more, betrayed by one of their own and hunted to extinction.Jarryd is a young man with a secret. He sees demons. The visions have plagued him since he witnessed a traumatic event as a small boy.Jarryd lives in fear that his secret will be discovered, and he will be condemned to the fate of those who consort with demons. Or, even worse, that the demons will consume him, make him one of them.As the visions grow ever more powerful, Jarryd sets out on a journey to find answers at Knights Keep, the ancestral home of the Dragonwatch Knights. The journey brings him to the notice of the Emperor himself and sets Jarryd on a desperate quest to resurrect the Dragonwatch Knights.Can Jarryd overcome the demons within himself and defeat the Emperor in time? Or will the Dragon Queen escape her prison and ravage the cosmos once again?

Tin Thoughts (The Downfall Saga Book 2)


Chris Mccready - 2015
    He should be relieved, happy even, yet he is left with more questions than answers.In his quest to discover his heritage, he has a single clue to follow, a man named Eamon. When dangers appear from unexpected sources, he embarks on a collision course between his search for answers and helping his friends survive.His journey will test his physical limits, his resolve, and ultimately what he’s willing to sacrifice.

Dragon Ball, Vol. 7 (SJ Edition): General Blue And The Pirate Treasure (Dragon Ball: Shonen Jump Graphic Novel)


Akira Toriyama - 2011
    Slump and one of the strangest places on Earth!

Heroes Road: Book 2


Chuck Rogers - 2018
    The circle of his destiny shall tighten like a noose upon him in less than one of your years . . .” Coel’s journey eastward with the sorcerer Reza Walladid earned him the wrath of the Hobgoblin Hordes the Lord of the Assassins. The terrible secret he discovered there could turn humanity against him yet now it must be revealed. Now nation after nation fall before the Horde’s inexorable march west, either slaughtered and eaten in battle or accepting the Horde’s terrifying terms of surrender. In every shadow Assassin daggers lurk. Once again Coel must ride east, into the teeth of the invasion with a band of heroes upon a suicide mission. They are a gesture, unsanctioned by Church or King. With no chance of victory there is one forlorn gift they might give the failing west. The most terrifying thing of all. Hope. Surrounded by enemies on all sides, once again Coel finds his only refuge is honor. Once again Coel finds there is only one path to follow. The Heroes Road.

Chronicles of an Urban Druid Boxed Set #1 (Books 1-3): A Gilded Cage, A Sacred Grove, and A Family Oath


Auburn Tempest - 2021
    

The Secret of the Sands Trilogy


Rai Aren - 2015
    DESTINY. REVELATIONS.DISCOVERY. WAR. REDEMPTION.From the Great Sphinx to Petra to the Great Pyramid, journey on this epic archaeology adventure, weaving between the past and the present, to uncover hidden ancient secrets and fascinating mysteries about a long lost civilization…Secret of the SandsFor 12,000 years a dark and deadly secret has been hidden deep below the Great Sphinx. In present day Egypt, two archaeologists discover mysterious artifacts belonging to an unknown civilization. A frightening and awe-inspiring story unravels as the archaeologists race against time to decipher the dangerous knowledge they hold…Destiny of the SandsSome secrets cannot remain hidden…and some cannot be forgiven…The Great Sphinx of Giza has guarded a secret, both dangerous and incredible, for 12,000 years. Now deadly enemies emerge, and those involved must face startling truths and deep sorrow, in the fight against the forces of tyranny...Revelation of the SandsA stunning revelation of secrets and destiny that will change everything…Complete the epic journey begun in Secret of the Sands...The mystery deepens. The danger is ever-present. Incredible discoveries await.The Great Sphinx is not the only ancient wonder that has incredible secrets hidden deep within it. But uncovering these secrets will have life-changing consequences. There will be no turning back. It will take a great deal of courage and the testing of faith, on multiple fronts, to face them...The final chapter in this archaeology adventure trilogy now unfolds. The characters you’ve come to know are suddenly thrust down a new, completely different, and even more personal path, to a point of no return. Their journey is about take another perilous turn with mysterious and surprising outcomes that will alter the course of their lives forever.Journey through some of the most magnificent ancient places on earth as you join this final adventure in the Secret of the Sands trilogy…

Penny and Boots Complete Series Omnibus: An Unveiled Academy Novel - Snakes and Shadows, Werewolves and Wendigo, Pixels and Poltergeists, Bunyips and Billabongs


Amy Hopkins - 2020
    

The Warrior of Sapin


Whiskey Flowers - 2018
    Faramedes finally found what he was looking for in a human baby, Faramedes was able to transfer some of his power but the ritual was interrupted and his conciousness never transferred over. The baby was taken by followers of the Goddess of Light and secreted away by one of her followers. Jason is a sixteen year old boy that has it all figured out, he is an apprentice blacksmith under his father, he is proficient with the sword and one day hopes to inherit the smithy his father owns in the small town of Gaol in the kingdom of Sapin. Jason's life is shattered when he runs afoul of the powerful Baron Dawson and he is forced to fight for his life. Initially thought to be headed to certain death by fighting in foreign lands, Jason grows up and soon Baron Dawson will learn what every other enemy of Jason's already know, to fear the Warrior from Sapin.

The Key of Apollo


R.D. Brady - 2018
    The only way to save her is to track down the Key of Apollo, a key that hasn't been seen in thousands of yearsTo succeed, Lucy must embrace her destiny and overcome the Primordial Trials, tests set up by the gods themselves.So armed with little to no knowledge of the world of Iphigenesis, one best friend who trips over his own feet, and another who could get blown over by a strong breeze, Lucy is about to take on the challenges of the gods.What could possibly go wrong?For a limited time, pick up the The Key of Apollo for only $0.99!

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.

Ye Olde Antique Shoppe: Complete Series


Margaret Brazear - 2019
    But when she and her friend, Peter, find a valuable coin and try to take it out of the shop, they find themselves in the fifteenth century. But that is only the beginning. The Edward V Coin The discovery of the coin from the short lived reign of Edward V, prompts Peter to want to find out what really happened to the princes in the Tower. The Anne Boleyn Necklace When Peter finds the famous B necklace worn by Anne Boleyn in many portraits, he is eager to use it to go back and see her in the flesh. But Rachel has sworn she'll never time travel again, until she finds a journal which reveals a cousin, stranded in the fifteenth century. She feels she must rescue her, but she doesn't stop to wonder if the cousin wants to be rescued. The Ripper Rings Jack the Ripper took souvenirs in the form of organs from his victims. But from one victim he took three rings and when they turn up in the antique shop, both Peter and Rachel are keen to find out how they got there.

Assault on Dread Fortress Paine (The King Henry Tapes)


Richard Raley - 2018
     But even in victory, the legacy of Obadiah Paine is not so easily washed away. His hidden lair yet remains, Dread Fortress Paine yet stands! Within it . . . none can be sure what monstrous acts are waiting to be uncovered or guess the number of Paine loyalists who linger. It falls on the shoulders of ESLED Strike Alpha to answer these questions and to seize Paine's hideout for the Elemental Learning Council. Led by spectromancer Ramses Lamprey, joined by civilian observer Tyson Bonnie, and aided by Council fixer Eva Reti, failure is not an option. This volume is a can't miss for Foul Mouth fans, acting as an action packed epilogue for "The Foul Mouth and the Pit of No Return" while priming many plot points for the next main volume and even those well beyond. Dread Fortress Paine must fall! THE KING HENRY TAPES Book 1 - "The Foul Mouth and the Fanged Lady" (released) Book 2 - "The Foul Mouth and the Cat Killing Coyotes" (released) Book 3 - "The Foul Mouth and the Troubled Boomworm" (released) Book 4 - "The Foul Mouth and the Headless Hunny" (released) Book 5 - "The Foul Mouth and the Mancy Martial Artist" (released) Book 5.5 - "King Henry and the Three Little Trips" (released) Book 6 - "The Foul Mouth and the Pit of No Return" (released) Book 6.5 - "Assault on Dread Fortress Paine" (released) Book 6.75 - "The Glassbreaker Goes Home" (forthcoming) Book 7 - "The Foul Mouth and the Runaway Rumble" (forthcoming)