Book picks similar to
Adept (Essence Gate War #1) by Michael J. Arnquist
fantasy
battles
detective-or-mystery
fantasy-essentially-a-quest
Hand of Fire
Thomas Rath - 2001
Saved by Jack, a HuMan, thought by Thanes people to be simple myths, Thane is hurled into a foreign world that he must make his own if he hopes to survive. When his only friends, Dor and Tam, try to find and help him, they are caught and tortured by a massive gathering of trolls that could bring about the annihilation of all races. Now, in a desperate search to find and save his friends, Thane must come to grips with his powers and himself before all is lost to the gathering storm of evil. An epic tale of good versus evil, Hand of Fire is a written tapestry of emotion that will draw in readers of all genres and not let them go until the last word is devoured.
Wilder Mage,
C.D. Coffelt - 2013
A mage unbound to the Imperium, and therefore a dangerous wild card in their eyes. The Imperium wants him, wants his power, but Justus has hidden for many years and now has some semblance of a normal life. All that’s about to change when Sable Rounds walks through the door of his antique shop, looking for work. Justus instantly knows what Sable is, he just doesn't know the danger he’s in.Alone, also on the run from the Imperium, Sable longs for a normal life. For somewhere to belong. She finds this when Justus hires her, but she knows it’s temporary and fragile, an illusion. Though she hates to think about it, she knows that one day she will have to move on.The Imperium is always behind her, waiting. When they finally find Sable, they find Justus. And all hell’s about to break loose.
Revelations of Doom
Jedidiah Behe - 2012
It was not at all loud, but the sound a blade would make being slowly pulled from its scabbard. Many years spent in the woods listening to the ambient rhythms of nature had trained his ears to pick up such out of place sounds. His body reacted reflexively, without thought as though he had done so thousands of times before. He jumped back off the steps just in time to see the glint of a sword slice past were his head was and thunk into the railing. He touched the pummel of his sword, feeling the energy surge through him and was about to pull it free when something within urged him to stop. Before he could decipher the reason for this impulse, the dark form leapt down at him. He ducked back, just far enough to let a second blade wisp by his face. The first was still lodged in the railing. This dodge put him in close to his attacker, making it possible for him to easily strike a deadly blow, but again something inside gave him pause. And then, in the soft glow of a nearby lantern, he caught a glimpse of his attacker, and she was absolutely beautiful.”Choices, we all make them, every day moment by moment. What most people do not realize is how a simple choice could very well alter their own life and those of everyone around them greatly. What would you do if you were blessed with the curse of being able to see evil and how they manipulate those around you? Would you choose to run in fear, ignore what you have just seen, or fight against something that no one else can see, and therefore limits their belief? Lucian was chosen to be such a man, much to his dismay. On a path of vengeance he strikes out to find a murderer, unknowing that the world around him is at the brink of war. He pushes on through pain, treachery, despair and even death, only to receive a Revelation that shows him what could very well become the future of his world, and it terrifies him. He is given the ability to see the creatures of shadow, set to destroy the world of the living and manipulate mankind into an evil existence. He is now faced with choices that would change the world forever. The pathways to his destiny are set, but he must choose to follow the correct path, for free will must always be heeded.
The Cavalier
Jason L. McWhirter - 2012
An evil that threatened the lands long ago, now stirs deep in the Black Lands of the North. Cavaliers, the guardians of the righteous, have long been the protectors of Kraawn. Trained in combat and blessed with the powers of the gods, these warriors roam the lands using their skills to fight back the power of the Forsworn, a trio of evil gods whose ultimate goal is to blanket the world in a mist of darkness. But something has been slaying these warriors and now the lands of Kraawn are at risk, the path of invasion paved by the deaths of the only guardians capable of combating the dark powers of the Forsworn. But not all is lost. A young boy, a cripple raised in a small mountain town, will become Kraawn’s only hope. Jonas Kanrene thought his life was limited to helping his mother survive in the desolate Tundren Mountains. Then one night a stranger arrives, a powerful cavalier, bringing with him hope, life,…and death, and becoming a catalyst for all the change that was about to dismantle Jonas’s world. Can the powers of good fight back the horde of evil amassing in the north? Can Jonas grow into the man, the warrior, the cavalier capable of stopping the Forsworn? One thing is certain. The lands of Kraawn will never again be the same.
Bad Jack
Adam Moon - 2013
These objects are dangerous to the touch, but not to Jack.When his superiors discover he can interact with the objects, he's brought even further into the fold.Soon he's introduced to bizarre creatures that just a handful of people have ever witnessed.His simple life has turned into a freak show.And it only gets worse.
Winters Legend on Stone Mountain: A Family Saga (Stone Mountain Family Saga Book 1)
Michelle Files - 2020
Power. Lies. Murder. Some families will do whatever it takes to win. Carson Winters does as he pleases, without guilt or shame. And no one can stop him. But his judgment day is coming. This series about the Winters family is a complicated tale of the family with everything. You won’t want to miss a single word of this story of love, loss, and heartache, with just a bit of mayhem thrown in. The complete Stone Mountain Family Saga: Winters Legend on Stone Mountain A Dangerous Game on Stone Mountain Deceit on Stone Mountain Get your copies now.
The Calamitous Bob
Alex Gilbert - 2021
A divine spat leaves French medic Viv stranded in the middle of an arcane disaster zone crawling with undead horrors. Thankfully, there are strange allies to be found, not least the mysterious interface that helps humans survive in this merciless world.Viv will have to progress fast to survive this calamity and find civilisation. She will also need a bit of luck. Unless, of course, she becomes the calamity herself. After all, luck is such a fickle thing.
Devil Ash Days
Mitchell Olson - 2012
The devils of Hell live in fear of constant demon attacks, and Ash is recruited to help fight. The boy is teamed up with Shiva, the feisty daughter of Satan, and Aura, a pervy man with a dangerous curse. The team's first mission is to track down King Satan's stolen pendant, which might just be Ash's ticket back to Earth as well.
Women of Power
J.R. Tomlin - 2012
But before she is ready to take her place, the unthinkable happens. Rhybac's king is dead; the kingdom is in chaos. War breaks out and their enemies out of the Sands are circling for the kill. She chooses to become a Qi'advisor, although still untried.As Qi'advisor to a duke, she must risk her life to negotiate with the greed, the treachery one of the dukes, and the desperation that fuels the war in order to reveal what others cannot or refuse to see. The fate of Rhybac, its people, and even its enemies are in her young hands.
The Warrior Mage
Whiskey Flowers - 2016
Geddon is broken apart and distributed amongst various Rolstanian nobles with only a small part of it remaining in Cage's brothers hands who assumed the title of Duke. During this war all of Geddians powerful warrior mages fell, men and women as capable with the sword as they are with using magic. The last of these warrior mages is young Cage who as now being a Rolstanian must adapt to the culture of his conquerors and murderers of his parents despite his attitude towards them. Meanwhile Rolstan is gearing up for a far bigger fight and needs all of their fighting men to face the might of the Zetian Empire and that includes Cage. Join Cage as he proves the worth of Geddon warrior mages and find his place in this new world.
Akira Rises
Nonie Wideman - 2016
With the help of her mother, Akira flees her tyrannical father. However, her escape does not go as she planned and Akira finds herself among a group of warriors led by a dashing young leader who encourages her to fulfill her destiny on her own terms. This warrior will test Akira's will and spirit and force her to reconsider her opinions towards men. But Akira's father will stop at nothing to bring her back.
Dark Convergence
Dave Gross - 2013
Nemo soon learns of the Convergence’s plans to transform Caen and its people to suit their enigmatic goddess, who favors machines over the living.Amid this clash Nemo must withstand the temptation of the Convergence’s message to those who, like himself, are fascinated by technology. Aurora proves to be a different sort of enemy than he has faced before—something of a kindred spirit, albeit one bent on destroying all he holds dear.
Gemworld (Facets of Reality Book 1)
Jeremy Bullard - 2014
Lieutenant James Salvatori knew all this going in, but nothing could have prepared him for his mission to Laos. What started as an anti-terror operation turned into an experience that was quite literally out of this world! New lands, mythical creatures, powerful magics, immortal tyrants. What's a guy like Sal to do, except lock and load?
Power of Shadow (Earth, Blood and Shadow Book 1)
Dean Chalmers - 2015
NOTE: Portions of this work were previously published in 2 separate volumes as Shadewright and Shadowslave under the pen name Dean McMillin in Dec. 2012--however this is a completely re-edited, re-imagined version of the story, re-written from front to back. Phantist just wants to be an entertainer, earning his living with his shadow magic. But then, an ancient evil known as Earth Darkness declares war on the land. The dark lord's allies have powerful war machines of a kind never seen before... And the enemy uses a combination of magic and technology to corrrupt life itself, creating monsters. Now, to save his people and his country, Phantist joins with an eccentric lightning-mage and a mysterious female soldier on a quest to stop Earth Darkness and its murderous plans. But this battle demands that Phantist find the warrior within himself… And that he must embrace the darkest, deadliest aspects of his own magic.
The Nine Keys of Magic
Timothy Woods - 2011
As the reality of her death registers, Michael feels a strange force at work inside of him. Seeing nine ominous doors in his mind, six of them burst open, he hears unfamiliar words whispered. Repeating those words, Michael finds himself, unwittingly avenging his wife by incinerating the killer. Little did Michael know that the opening of those doors would also be the opening to a new world for him, one of magic and legend. Michael must journey to this other world to help defend the magic that is his birthright. The magi of Kantwell, along with the human and dwarven races, a handful of elven guard, and the elite Avari warriors, now stand against the combined might of the trolls, ogres, and weres, under the ruthless leadership of the powerful wizard Mortow and the magi who follow him. Will Michael’s unique magic be enough to save Kantwell and keep the races from falling into slavery or will Mortow be able to manipulate him to assure victory over all of Thelona?