Book picks similar to
Michael Hanson and the Desolate Woods by E.L. Ervin


fantasy
favorites-fantasy
books-i-loved
fantasy-books

Shifters


DP - 2013
    The Ordinaries of the lost colony—Earth—are about to encounter something that will change their world forever.

Forged in Dragonfire


Daniel Arenson - 2016
    Their masters, angelic seraphim with haloes and swan wings, drive them mercilessly with whips of fire. For centuries, the slaves have languished here, building pyramids, temples, and glorious cities for their overlords. But long ago, these wretched, beaten people were not slaves. Long ago, they could become dragons. They once lived in a land called Requiem, many miles away. Without their chains and collars, they could summon ancient magic, grow wings, and breathe dragonfire. Today Requiem lies in ruin, perhaps only a myth. Today the children of Requiem labor as humans rather than fly as dragons. But there are some who believe that Requiem can rise again. A slave girl, a miner of bitumen. A haunted young man, a brickmaker. A haggard priest, his wife slain. A mysterious princess, holder of a secret power. Together they will rise up. They will cast off their chains. They will tell their seraphim masters: "Requiem is free. We will fly as dragons again."

Inside the Hollow Tree


Laurel Veil - 2018
    Her one glimmer of light in her gloomy existence is a wise beyond his years, fiver-year-old foster named Jackson, who also lives with them. Falon longs for the day her mom wakes from her coma, so she can leave, take Jackson with her and begin a new life. Whenever Ty, the smart and brave new foster shows up, Falon realizes that the three of them just might get their chance. Little do they know, a better life awaits them, just inside the hollow tree...

Love is War


Milly Taiden - 2021
    During the induction ritual, she's ambushed and forced across enemy lines into werewolf territory where she will undoubtedly be attacked and killed. When one of them comes to her aid, it's time to question who the real enemy is.Caleb Conri is on patrol when he finds himself saving the life of the most beautiful vampire he's ever seen. His wolf immediately claims her as his mate and that alone brings on the biggest migraine of his life. But Adria is so unlike anyone he expected. She's sweet, kind, loving and he can't wait to get her out of her clothes. The problem is everyone wants her dead.When war breaks out between the two factions, Adria must choose between her own people and her mate. How long can she sit by and watch those she loves on both sides kill each other because of her? The only way to end the war is for her to turn herself over to those who want her dead. But Caleb will die before he let's that happen.

After the Summerland (The Witches of Spring Hill, #1)


Patricia A. Proctor - 2013
    The land magnifies their abilities, making them more powerful witches – and targets. They aren’t the only ones aware of the power the land gives . . .Chloe, Kaiden, and Rowan Alexander can’t wait to meet the new triplets that have just arrived in town. They are determined to find out if they are anything alike. The attraction is instant, though they soon discover they share more than just being fraternal triplets – in fact, Brianna, Cian, and Xavier Silvan are also witches with a secret of their own.They must overcome their distrust of each other and join together to fight a much stronger witch, who wants the sacred land for more than the power it gives. It’s a paranormal coming of age story where the teens discover the purpose of their existence, explore their new powers, new relationships, and overcome family secrets, all while becoming stronger witches. They must learn quickly so they can protect themselves and the people they love from the force of dark magic bearing down on them.

Number9Dream


David Mitchell - 2001
    In outward form, number9dream is a Dickensian coming-of-age journey: Young dreamer Eiji Miyake, from remote rural Japan, thrust out on his own by his sister’s death and his mother’s breakdown, comes to Tokyo in pursuit of the father who abandoned him. Stumbling around this strange, awesome city, he trips over and crosses—through a hidden destiny or just monstrously bad luck—a number of its secret power centers. Suddenly, the riddle of his father’s identity becomes just one of the increasingly urgent questions Eiji must answer. Why is the line between the world of his experiences and the world of his dreams so blurry? Why do so many horrible things keep happening to him? What is it about the number 9? To answer these questions, and ultimately to come to terms with his inheritance, Eiji must somehow acquire an insight into the workings of history and fate that would be rare in anyone, much less in a boy from out of town with a price on his head and less than the cost of a Beatles disc to his name.

The Captive Series Bundle: Books 1-3


Erica Stevens - 2013
    Captured (Book 1), Renegade (Book 2), and Refugee (Book 3). The exciting conclusion, Salvation (Book 4), will be released on June 8.Book 1, Captured. Blood Slave. Captured, taken from her beloved family and woods, Aria’s biggest fear is not the imminent death facing her, but that she will be chosen as a blood slave for a member of the ruling vampire race. No matter what becomes of her though, Aria knows that she must keep her identity hidden from the monsters imprisoning her. She has already been branded a member of the rebellion, but the vampires do not know the true depth of her involvement with it, and they must never know. Though hoping for death, Aria’s world is turned upside down when a vampire named Braith steps forward to claim her. He delays her execution, but Aria knows it’s only a matter of time before he drains her, and destroys her. Especially once she learns his true identity as a prince within the royal family; the same royal family that started the war that ultimately brought down humankind, reducing them to nothing more than servants and slaves. Aria is determined to hate the prince, determined not to give into him in anyway, but his strange kindness, and surprising gentleness astonish her. Torn between her loyalties to the rebellion, and her growing love for her greatest enemy, Aria struggles to decide between everything she has ever known, and a love she never dreamed of finding.Book 2, Renegade Though she is free of the palace, rescued from her position as a blood slave, Aria is haunted by the memories of her time spent within the fortress, tormented by memories of Braith, the prince that betrayed her and shattered her heart. Every day is a struggle to get through, and the only solace she is able to find is with Max, her best friend, and fellow captive. Though Max does not understand her bond to Braith, he knows some of what she endured, and helps to ease some of the tattered pieces of her soul. Aria slowly begins to salvage the broken parts of her wounded spirit by throwing herself into the wonder of the woods she had so greatly missed, and the secure and reassuring love that Max freely gives her. Her world is thrown into a tailspin again though when a marauding group of vampires destroy the caves she had found temporary shelter in. Scattered about the forest, seeking to stay hidden and find her family, Aria is stunned when Braith, the monster that savaged her heart, reappears. Stunned by his sudden arrival in her world, Arianna is uncertain if he has come to recapture her, or to kill her for daring to escape. Book 3, Refugee Whispers, rumors, and horror stories abound about The Barrens and the strange creatures that lurk within them. Determined to find the remaining vampires that stood against his father in the war, Braith knows that it’s dangerous to enter the inhospitable land, but that they must if they are to have a chance at gaining allies to help overthrow the king. Though he once knew the powerful vampires that are rumored to reside within The Barrens, he is unsure what to expect if they succeed in finding them. He will do whatever is necessary though to ensure a future for himself and Aria. Aria is fearful of entering into the land she’s heard nothing but cautionary tales about, but she’s determined to help Braith locate the vampires that may help them with their cause. She is fascinated and amazed by the world they uncover within, one that is unlike anything she has ever seen before. However, the more immersed they become in a world that she doesn’t entirely understand, the more she realizes that it won’t be the war, or even the king that will eventually tear her and Braith apart. It will be her.

King of the Streets, Queen of His Heart


Porscha Sterling - 2016
    Always eager to be the one to set things right for the people she loved, she decided, against the urgings of her cousin, Maliah, to confront the leader of the new gang in Liberty City who is responsible for serving her mother's addiction. But once she meets Legend, her life really begins to change. Legend, the unofficial leader of a group of brothers known as the D Boys because of their last name, is not only the youngest of the crew, he is the most savage of them all which is how he got his name. After being confronted by Shanecia, he decided to spare her life and let her leave but, for some reason he can't explain, he is unable to keep her out of his mind and eventually decided he had to make her his. But when he finds out that Shanecia is connected with his enemy in more ways than one, it makes him question how loyal a love they could really have. Shanecia's cousin, Maliah, is in love with Danny, the father of her children and her first love whom she has been with since high school but there is just one problem: Danny, who was once a highly paid street hustler, is now addicted to the very drugs he'd sold to others and he owes a very large debt to Mello, the head of the crew Danny is apart of, who also happens to be Legend's #1 enemy. In order to get back the money Danny owes and to take care of her three children, Maliah starts dancing at a strip club which is where she meets Murk, Legend's brother. When she starts to fall for one of the D Boys while still officially in a relationship with Danny who works for the opposing gang, it puts her in the middle of a street war that she is not sure she wants to take part in. Will she side with her heart, that is pointing her towards Murk or will she stick with the first man she's ever loved and help turn him back into the man he once was? The streets of Miami are savage and ruthless but they are nothing in comparison to what happens when love is thrown into the equation. Will love prevail or will the streets reign supreme over all? Find out in this legendary love story.

Earth Girl


Janet Edwards - 2012
    But can she prove to the norms that she’s more than just an Earth Girl?2788. Only the handicapped live on Earth. While everyone else portals between worlds, 18-year-old Jarra is among the one in a thousand people born with an immune system that cannot survive on other planets. Sent to Earth at birth to save her life, she has been abandoned by her parents. She can’t travel to other worlds, but she can watch their vids, and she knows all the jokes they make. She’s an ‘ape’, a ‘throwback’, but this is one ape girl who won’t give in.Jarra invents a fake background for herself – as a normal child of Military parents – and joins a class of norms that is on Earth to excavate the ruins of the old cities. When an ancient skyscraper collapses, burying another research team, Jarra’s role in their rescue puts her in the spotlight. No hiding at back of class now. To make life more complicated, she finds herself falling in love with one of her classmates – a norm from another planet. Somehow, she has to keep the deception going.A freak solar storm strikes the atmosphere, and the class is ordered to portal off-world for safety – no problem for a real child of military parents, but fatal for Jarra. The storm is so bad that the crews of the orbiting solar arrays have to escape to planet below: the first landing from space in 600 years. And one is on collision course with their shelter.

Nameless


Jennifer Jenkins - 2015
    Raven. Wolf. Ram.Four clans. One destiny.Seventeen-year-old Zo is a Wolf and a Healer who volunteers to infiltrate the Ram as a spy on behalf of the allied clans. She offers herself as a Ram slave, joining the people who are called the “Nameless.” Hers is a suicide mission thought to enable her to seek revenge for the death of her parents and an end to her own misery.But after Zo’s younger sister follows her into Rams Gate, Zo must find a way to survive and keep her safe.When Zo finds unexpected friendship in a young Ram whose life she saves, growing feelings for a Ram soldier, and an underground Nameless insurrection, she learns that revenge, loyalty and love are more complicated than she ever imagined in the first installment of this electrifying fantasy series.

Daughter of Fate


Aaron Hodges - 2019
    Her mother and the other villagers are taken, accused of worshiping the False Gods. They will pay the ultimate price – unless Pela can rescue them. Pela has never left the safety of her town, let alone touched a sword. What chance does she have against the ruthless Knights of Alana? She’s not a hero.But she knows one.Her uncle Devon was a mighty warrior once, in times when magic filled the world. Age has withered his strength and he retired long ago, but maybe he will answer the call of family. Can Pela convince him to stand against the darkness one last time?

A Very Medoran Kaldoras


Lynette Noni - 2019
    Journey back to the world of Medora for a Kaldoras celebration like no other! Set nine months after the conclusion of The Medoran Chronicles, this short story will warm your heart as you experience the joys—and tears—of the festive season right alongside all your favourite characters!*WARNING* Spoilers for those who haven't read the entire Medoran Chronicles series!

Rising Thunder


Brandon Cornwell - 2017
    A giant amongst his kind, he dwarfs not only his fellow elves but the taller, stronger humans as well. Cast out by his own kind, he was sent to live amongst the Northmen at a young age, learning their ways and culture, but never wholly accepted by them. When his oldest friend, King Brynjar, dies in his old age, Elias's position among the volatile men of the Northlands becomes tenuous, and he sets out to make his place in the world.Far to the south, a war is brewing between his homeland of Lonwick, and the demonic Felle, an army of orcs, ogres, trolls, and men. Should he stay to the north and avoid the conflict, or should he travel south and join the forces that are defending his homeland? Who is the shadowy dark knight that hunts him? And will he ever find people in this world that see him for who he is, and not the freak he appears to be?From the warm, forested slopes of coastal mountain ranges, to the tropical shores of exotic islands, author Brandon Cornwell leads us on an adventure filled with battles, magic, love, and loss. As Elias faces the journey before him, rich characters and vivid settings transport us into a world that feels as real as it does fantastical.

Marriage Unarranged


Ritu Bhathal - 2020
    ‘Chick Pea Curry’ Lit, Chick Lit with an Indian twist​ It all started ended with that box… Aashi’s life was all set.Or so she thought.Like in the Bollywood films, Ravi would woo her, charm her family and they’d get married and live happily ever after. But then Aashi found the empty condom box... Putting her ex-fiancé and her innocence behind her, Aashi embarks upon an enlightening journey, to another country, where vibrant memories are created, and unforgettable friendships forged.Old images erased, new beginnings to explore. And how can she forget the handsome stranger she meets? A stranger who’s hiding something…

The Scorpio Races


Maggie Stiefvater - 2011
    Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.