These classical fantasy figures are well-executed and have the sensibility of a seasoned Russian fantasy novel, especially since this is part of a tetralogy previously published in Russia. Readers of George R.R. Martin, Raymond Feist and Stephen R. Donaldson will adore THE ROAD TO MAGIC.There are exciting parallel narratives at work in THE ROAD TO MAGIC. On one level we have the handsome playboy Oleg Davidov as a modern-day college student; on another level we have Oleg the demon savior of the princess; and on another level, Oleg the monster hunter. Like Harry Potter, Oleg was once a normal boy until he is magnificently transformed into something supernatural, which is later used as a commentary/comic relief tool once Oleg is a demon. That’s what you get when you dabble in magic with a demoness. Rarely does Oleg ever approach the world of fantasy as an outsider—in fact he feels right at home in that world. After Oleg resolves the princess’s plight, he then takes off to learn magic at the university—but not before Oleg can slay some monsters in a few Herculean feats on his way to becoming a student of magic. Readers will also learn a lot about Russian pop-culture from reading THE ROAD TO MAGIC. The complex story, moving along at a brisk pace, presents an intelligent take on the nature of fantasy gods and the human relationship to both gods and monsters. Glushanovsky expertly draws raw, compelling characters with depth and surprising twists. No one is more real than Oleg, the multi-dimensional main character who is one of the most original and engaging characters you’ll encounter. Glushanovsky's references to pop-culture gives the book a fascinating window into the youth of today. It's one of the many things about THE ROAD TO MAGIC that sets the book apart from all the Tolkein and Robert Jordan clones that have flooded the fantasy market. This, plus the strong character of Oleg, gives the book a delightful and engrossing feel, making it a totally unique work of fantasy.

    Following a cataclysmic battle, the enchantments of Eivar were lost–now a song is only words and music, and no more. But when a dark power threatens the land, poets who thought only to gain fame for their songs face a task much greater: to restore the lost enchantments to the world. And the road to the Otherworld, where the enchantments reside, will imperil their lives and test the deepest desires of their hearts.

    Vigilantes, they call us. Cold-hearted killers. Monsters of the night. If only they knew how true that was—what our pasts have shaped us to be.Mine forged me into the most powerful Daughter of Fire ever, which is exactly what this hell-spawned charmer claims he needs to kill the demon who stole my soul. Together, Zen insists, we can share in revenge--but on one condition. I must bind myself to him, an unthinkable deed with deadly ramifications at best. He’s playing every beguiling card in his deck to lure me in, but I'm no fool. He may be the enemy of my enemy, but he’s still a demon.And I won't make that mistake again.A CURSE OF NIGHTSHADE, the first paranormal romance novel in the Witches of the Gilded Lilies series by USA Today bestselling author Amber Lynn Natusch. Each book in this series follows a different hero and heroine with each story playing into the series story arc.

    The magic they wield can forge invaluable weapons, ones that make soldiers like Lady Alix Black unerringly lethal. However, the bloodbinders’ powers can do so much more—and so much worse…A cunning and impetuous scout, Alix only wishes to serve quietly on the edges of the action. But when the king is betrayed by his own brother and left to die at the hands of attacking Oridian forces, she winds up single-handedly saving her sovereign.Suddenly, she is head of the king’s personal guard, an honor made all the more dubious by the king’s exile from his own court. Surrounded by enemies, Alix must help him reclaim his crown, all the while attempting to repel the relentless tide of invaders led by the Priest, most feared of Oridia’s lords.But while Alix’s king commands her duty, both he and a fellow scout lay claim to her heart. And when the time comes, she may need to choose between the two men who need her most…

    He yearns to wield his sword and spear to protect his king’s realm. But that day will come all too soon. Only when he loses those he loves will he learn the true price of courage. The Banished Lands has a violent past where armies of men and giants clashed shields in battle, the earth running dark with their heartsblood. Although the giant-clans were broken in ages past, their ruined fortresses still scar the land. But now giants stir anew, the very stones weep blood and there are sightings of giant wyrms. Those who can still read the signs see a threat far greater than the ancient wars. Sorrow will darken the world, as angels and demons make it their battlefield. Then there will be a war to end all wars. High King Aquilus summons his fellow kings to council, seeking an alliance in this time of need. Some are skeptical, fighting their own border skirmishes against pirates and giants. But prophesy indicates darkness and light will demand two champions, the Black Sun and the Bright Star. They would be wise to seek out both, for if the Black Sun gains ascendancy, mankind’s hopes and dreams will fall to dust.

    He's no knight in shining armor. He's a hradani, a race known for their uncontrollable rages, bloodthirsty tendencies, and inability to maintain civilized conduct. None of the other Five Races of man like the hradani. Besides his ethnic burden, Bahzell has problems of his own to deal with: a violated hostage bond, a vengeful prince, a price on his head. He doesn't want to mess with anybody else's problems, let alone a god's. Let alone the War God's! So how does he end up a thousand leagues from home, neck-deep in political intrigue, assassins, demons, psionicists, evil sorcery, white sorcery, dark gods, good gods, bad poets, greedy landlords, and most of Bortalik Bay? Well, it's all the War God's fault.

    Protect the Gateway. Say please. And don’t get killed.After her release from magical prison, Jessica Northwood can’t hold a job to save her life. So when an apprenticeship opens up at a spellbound bank, no questions asked, she can’t exactly say no… But she definitely should have.Her new boss is an eccentric scryer witch who can read Jessica’s mind but can’t remember her name. Winthrop & Dirledge Security Banking can think for itself and has a serious attitude problem. But after Jessica’s previous line of work, this should be a piece of cake—until a murder in the bank takes things to a whole new level. Now her contract says she’s the new owner, Jessica has no idea what she’s doing, and the bank won’t let her leave.For centuries, the bank’s owners have stood between the Gateway in the upstairs hall and the occult syndicate who want it for themselves. As she deals with magical clientele who know the stakes far better than she does, Jessica must decide just how far she’s willing to go to keep this job. Because if she doesn’t, she’ll end up as dead as the body in the lobby. Or worse.Illona Andrews’ Inkeeper Chronicles meets The Magicians in this snarky, fast-paced Urban Fantasy Adventure from International Bestselling Author Kathrin Hutson.

    For years their loyalty has been only to themselves and their code. But, that time is over. The Wytch Lords have escaped and The Raven find themselves fighting for the Dark College of magic, searching for the location of Dawnthief. It is a spell created to end the world, and it must be cast if any of them are to survive.

    Just an ordinary boy, Jack has been chosen for a hugely important task, and enters a world he believed only existed in legend. Full of twists and turns and featuring characters such as talking ravens and mischievous Spriggans, The Golden Acorn is a hugely entertaining and exciting tale from a very talented new author.

    In fact, when one computer runs the world, changing history happens faster.Those who were heroes have been labeled villains. The alien Melagorns and Dreth, once friends, are now competitors at best.The Regime works to instill loyalty to humanity. Loyalty to brotherhood. Loyalty to the state.Loyalty to the words preached every night.Humanity first. Truth!Those with power are Tainted. Truth!The Tainted prove Loyalty by working for the Regime. Truth!Tainted who hide power seek to harm Humanity. Truth!Hail, Victory! Hail, Humanity!Except not everyone follows the truth.John Dunn fled into a radioactive wasteland, seeking death rather than work in the Regime.What he learns changes humanity forever.

    There, I was struck by an ancient power which invested me as the head witch of all supernatural creatures. By accident. Fun side note: the mantle was supposed to be granted to my crush, Fletcher, who... guess what... also happens to be a witch. Thanks to Macaroon, I really stepped in it this time. As freaked as I am, the coven is in a complete tizzy. Fearing a magical upheaval in the supernatural community, they warn that no one can learn of this catastrophic secret. But when I’m overcome by a devastating vision, I discover a far more sinister darkness closing in.  Partnering with the coven, can we find a way to transfer the magic to Fletcher? Or will the chaos of rebellion bring the supernatural community to its knees?  Fans of young adult fantasy that leave readers gasping for more will love The Accidental Witch by Gemma Perfect!

    She spends her days tracking criminals alongside her father, the legendary bounty hunter for the King of Malam—that is, until her father is murdered. Now outcast and alone and having no rights to her father’s land or inheritance, she seeks refuge where she feels most safe: the Ever Woods. When Britta is caught poaching by the royal guard, instead of facing the noose she is offered a deal: her freedom in exchange for her father’s killer.However, it’s not so simple.The alleged killer is none other than Cohen McKay, her father’s former apprentice. The only friend she’s ever known. The boy she once loved who broke her heart. She must go on a dangerous quest in a world of warring kingdoms, mad kings, and dark magic to find the real killer. But Britta wields more power than she knows. And soon she will learn what has always made her different will make her a daunting and dangerous force.

    Lord Varthan, a former archduke and betrayer of the king, covets the sword and invades Greenwald. Lady Ceralda Ryhan, daughter of the murdered duke, gains the sword and flees, trusting only her white wolf, Trikser-magically bonded to her. Cera needs nothing more to aid in her fight. Jorrin Aldern, half elfin and half human, left his home in the mountains of Aramour to find his human father who disappeared twenty turns before, but finds Cera with Varthan and his shades on her tail instead. His dual heritage and empathic magic will tempt Cera in ways she never thought she'd desire. But can he convince her trust and love can pave the path to redemption or will the epic battle end in tragedy and evil conquer them all?

    A touch from her, even accidental, can kill, and she’s haunted by the victims she never meant to hurt. Alone, isolated, and remorseful, she thinks life can’t get any worse--until she’s kidnapped in the middle of the night and thrown into a secret world more twisted than her darkest nightmares.The Vaettir claim to be the children of the gods, created by the fates themselves, and tell her she’s one of them--and that they can help her control her abilities. But not everything is as it seems, not all gods are good, and the dark powers surrounding Madeline are no exception. She finds herself in the middle of an ancient search for a dangerous and all-powerful charm, one that has the power to kill all humans and bestow its bearer dominion over all. Amid the secrets and danger is Alaric, a deadly cat shifter, who’s as mysterious as he is alluring.When the Vaettir’s plans come to light and Madeline is betrayed, she embarks on a quest to find the charm herself, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. Her dark gifts may just be the key to everything, but will she be able to accept them in time, or will the Vaettir destroy mankind, and inherit the earth?Find out in Death Cursed, the first book in a series sure to please fans of Bella Forrest’s Shade of Vampire and Ilona Andrew’s Kate Daniels series.Discover the underworld of the Vaettir, gods and monsters, secrets and lies, and a temptation equal parts irresistible and deadly...

    But when a dragon awakens - the size of a mountain and leaving great chasms in its wake - the veil is torn, flooding the land with ancient magic and forgotten races. Now Devin must set aside his words of peace and accept his new role: slayer of monsters and protector of the human race.But not all the creatures that have re-awakened mean humanity harm. And as Devin slowly befriends people of these new races, his discomfort in his role grows. But Soulkeepers must slay without mercy. And even sympathisers risk their wrath. For more from David Dalglish, check out: Shadowdance A Dance of Cloaks A Dance of Blades A Dance of Mirrors A Dance of Shadows A Dance of Ghosts A Dance of Chaos Seraphim Skyborn Fireborn Shadowborn